Youths (under 18)
Staying Safe on YouTube
Staying safe online
Setting privacy and safety controls
YouTube lets you watch videos, follow creators and share your own content. What you post, watch and engage with can shape your online experience. Learning how YouTube works and adjusting your settings can help you stay safe online.
How can videos on YouTube affect you?
YouTube recommends videos based on what you watch, search for and interact with. This means your activity influences what appears on your home screen and in your recommendations.
Even though YouTube has safety settings for younger users, you may still see videos that:
Spread misleading information
Use manipulated or AI-generated content
Encourage risky behaviour or set unrealistic expectations
Contain extreme, violent or hateful views
If videos on YouTube start to make you feel uncomfortable, it may be time to adjust your settings to protect yourself.
What are YouTube’s default protections for younger users?
The minimum age to create a YouTube account independently in Singapore is 13 years old. If you are below 13 years old, your parents can consider setting up a YouTube Kids profile or a supervised child account to provide you with a safer, more age-appropriate YouTube experience.
For users aged 13 to 17, some privacy and safety settings are turned on by default to provide extra protection.
Settings to encourage healthy screen habits
A take-a-break reminder appears every 60 minutes, and a bedtime reminder appears at 10pm daily on the YouTube mobile app
Autoplay is turned off, so another video will not automatically play after a video ends
Settings to limit interactions with strangers
Videos you upload are set to private by default
No one can comment on or share your videos
Your live streams are private and can only be viewed and shared by people who have the link
Filters to reduce inappropriate content
Age-restricted videos are hidden and not viewable
Supervision
Your parents can set up a supervised teen account to support your safety
How can you further protect yourself on YouTube?
Even with these protections in place, you may still want more control over what you see and who can interact with you.
Choose what you see
Tap “Not interested” or “Don’t recommend channel” on content you do not want to see more of
Turn on "Restricted Mode" to hide mature content
Filter out or hide comments or keywords that bother you
Unsubscribe from YouTube channels that do not make you feel good
Reset or turn off recommendations by deleting or turning off your watch history
Control who can see your content and interact with you
Review the personal data visible on your channel
Hide your channel to make your channel name, videos, likes, subscriptions and subscribers private
Make your playlists private or unlisted to manage who can find, view or share your content
Hide users from your channel to remove their comments and prevent them from creating clips of your videos or live streams
Block accounts you do not want to interact with
Watch your screen time
Set take-a-break reminders, bedtime reminders and a Shorts feed limit to help track and manage your screen time on YouTube
Notice how YouTube makes you feel after long sessions
Take breaks when watching starts to feel overwhelming
What else can you do when something does not feel right?
Sometimes, certain content or interactions may cause discomfort and make you feel unsafe.
When that happens, remember:
You do not have to respond or explain yourself
Saving screenshots or links can help if you want to report harmful behaviour
Blocking or reporting is okay
Talking to a trusted adult, such as a parent, teacher or counsellor, can help you figure out next steps
Getting support early can prevent things from getting worse
Where can you learn more about YouTube’s safety tools?
Visit these resources to find out more about staying safe on YouTube:
YouTube Help Centre: Get help with your account, settings and security, and find answers to common questions
Teen’s Guide: Explore tips and resources for teens on YouTube
You can also explore other online safety resources on our website for more advice on staying safe online.