eSAFETY GUIDE
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YouTube

13+
Minimum age according to YouTube
13+ Minimum age according to YouTube

What is YouTube?

YouTube is a user-generated video sharing platform owned by Google. It allows people to discover, watch and share videos. You can create your own channel and subscribe to the channels of other people or organisations. Viewers can rate, comment on and share videos or add them to playlists. Many people use YouTube for video blogging or vlogging. YouTube can also be used to live stream, which is video that is simultaneously broadcast and recorded in real time. YouTube Shorts are short form vertical videos, typically recorded on mobile phones, that last between 15 to 60 seconds. 

Website: youtube.comExternal link[https://www.youtube.com/]

Apps: Android appExternal link[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.youtube&hl=en_AU], Apple iOS appExternal link[https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/youtube-watch-listen-stream/id544007664?mt=8]

How do people use YouTube?

Learn more about the benefits and risks associated with how people use video sharing services like YouTube.

YouTube is used for: content sharing[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/esafety-guide/content-sharing], live streaming[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/esafety-guide/live-streaming], messaging/online chat[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/esafety-guide/messaging-online-chat], photo/video sharing[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/esafety-guide/photo-video-sharing] and screen capture[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-topics/online-tools-and-features/screen-capture].

YouTube Premium[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-topics/esafety-guide/youtube-premium], a paid version of YouTube, and YouTube Kids[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-topics/esafety-guide/youtube-kids] are also available.

How can you report abuse or inappropriate content or ask for content to be removed?

These links are provided by YouTube:

How can you protect your personal information?

These links are provided by YouTube:

These links are provided by YouTube:

  • Safety tipsExternal link[https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/2802848?hl=en]
    Tips for staying safe while using YouTube.
  • Resources for parentsExternal link[https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/2802272?hl=en]
    Advice for parents and carers about YouTube.
  • Family Link External link[https://families.google/familylink/]
    Manage screen time for teenagers using a supervised account.
  • Youth Principles External link[https://blog.youtube/inside-youtube/youtubes-principled-approach-children-teenagers/]
    YouTube’s approach for children and teenagers.
  • Disable autoplayExternal link[https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/6327615?hl=en&ref_topic=9257412#zippy=%2Cautoplay-on-your-computer] 
    Turn off autoplay so you can decide what to watch next.
  • Take a break reminders External link[https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/9012523?sjid=7957112454757597705-NC]
    How to set a reminder to take a break while watching YouTube videos.
  • Bedtime reminders External link[https://support.google.com/youtube/thread/48055830/bedtime-reminders-other-features-to-help-you-manage-screen-time?hl=en]
    How to set a bedtime reminder at a specific time to remind you to stop watching videos and go to bed. 
  • Help centreExternal link[https://support.google.com/youtube?hl=en#topic=9257498]
    A searchable database of help topics.

Last updated: 18/06/2024

The eSafety Guide helps you find out how to protect your personal information and report harmful content on common social media, games, apps and sites. Entries are for information only and are not reviews or endorsements by eSafety. Before choosing to use any online service or platform it’s best to:

  • do your own research to understand the risks and benefits
  • check the age rating and requirements
  • consider privacy
  • check the permissions and other settings
  • check the in-app reporting options.

If you are a parent or carer who is deciding whether a child should be allowed to use an online service or platform, you can also:

  • consider your child's readiness for the types of content and experiences they might encounter
  • help them understand what to do if they need help
  • provide ongoing support and monitoring, for example through regular check-ins with your child
  • agree to some rules about use of each service or platform.

To find out more, you can read the App checklist for parentsExternal link, as well as information about parental controls in social media, games and appsExternal link and mental wellbeing resources for familiesExternal link.