For parents, the dilemma is whether or not to set up your children’s Google Account as a child account and experience the consequences. Google finally acknowledges that one of the biggest disadvantages of the experience is being linked to YouTube Kids. The company has just announced that it will soon begin testing ‘supervised experiences’, allowing parents to give their twins and teens access to YouTube in a controlled way.
What ‘Supervised Experiences’ Provides on YouTube
Google says they will feel more like YouTube than YouTube Kids. Parents have the choice to choose from three different content settings: Explore, explore more, and Most of YouTube.
Explore contains a wider range of videos suitable for viewers over nine, including vlogs, music videos, educational content and more. The second institution, Explore more, will contain a larger set of such videos that are usually suitable for viewers older than 13 years. Finally, Most of YouTube, contains almost all videos, except age-restricted content (18+ years), including sensitive topics.
Google says it will use a mix of user input, machine learning, and human review to determine which videos will be included in each table of contents.
It is important to note that experience will be limited, and that the availability of features will vary depending on each content setting. For example, livestreams will be turned off in the Explore setting, and features like comments, live chat, all creation options (channel, posts, stories, shorts, etc.), and channel memberships will not be available.
In addition to content settings, parents have access to the viewing and search history and can also set screen time via Google’s Family Link.
How to set up ‘supervised experiences’ on YouTube
Unfortunately, you will still have to wait before you can try out the new experience, as it will only be available in ‘early beta’ in the coming months. The beta is only available to families with children under the age of consent, who are under 13 in most countries (exceptions). Parents with teenagers will have to wait a little longer.
If your child already has a Google Account under supervision, you do not need to take any additional steps to access this experience. You will probably be notified by email if you are selected to be part of the early beta.
What about YouTube Kids? Is it going away?
No, YouTube Kids is not going away and Google is still recommending the standalone app for younger kids that offers a simpler experience but a smaller collection of videos. There is also a promise to add more features to the app, one of which is the best option for parents to enable access to specific videos and channels.
If you’re confused between ‘supervised experiences’ and YouTube Kids, check out Google’s handy comparison table.
What about YouTube Music for Kids?
The demise of Google Play Music has not fared well with users; they do not think YouTube Music is a worthy alternative. While there are many differences that need to be discussed, the one that is relevant in this context – YouTube Music, unlike GPM, is not available for children under 13. It left families with no choice but to switch to alternatives like Spotify.
YouTube Music will not be supported during the beta launch, but we are working to bring it there in the future.
– TeamYouTube (@TeamYouTube) 24 February 2021
Fortunately, YouTube seems to be working on it. As mentioned in the tweet above, YouTube Music should arrive for children when “supervised experiences” will leave beta – exactly when someone guesses.
