YouTube Adds Parental Controls for Smart TVs

YouTube is introducing a new "parent code" feature for its smart TV app, enhancing parental control and addressing concerns about children accessing inappropriate content or other users' accounts. This 4-digit PIN prevents kids from watching YouTube signed out, accessing accounts meant for older users, or removing accounts from the TV.

This feature is particularly relevant following YouTube's decision to replace the YouTube Kids app on TVs with the main app, raising concerns about profile switching and content accessibility. The parent code aims to provide greater control over children's viewing habits and ensure a more personalized experience for adult users. For more information on managing children's online experiences, see Digital Well-being Tips for Families.

Setting up the Parent Code

  1. Open the YouTube app on your smart TV.
  2. Navigate to Settings on the left.
  3. Select the Parent code tab.
  4. Follow the prompts to set or reset your 4-digit code.

This feature is currently rolling out gradually. For related updates on Apple devices, check out iOS 18 Rollout Challenges. For those interested in other smart TV apps, you might find WhatsApp's enhanced video calling features relevant.