All guides

← What is YouTube?

YouTube · iPhone / Android / TV / PC · 5 min · Updated September 2026

How to choose the right YouTube account

YouTube is 13+ as a standard account. Younger children can use YouTube Kids or a supervised account linked to your Google account. Many teens have a standard account — then Family Link and conversation matter more than account type.

In short

Under 13: YouTube Kids or supervised experience via Family Link. 13+: review watch history, turn on restricted mode where possible, and lock purchases for memberships and Super Chat in Google Play. Autoplay and Shorts can pull time — turn off autoplay if you want.

  1. 1

    Choose account type

    YouTube Kids: limited content, parent-managed profile. Supervised (under 13): linked to your Google account via Family Link — you can see watch and search history. Standard account from 13: full access. Change account type if your child has outgrown Kids — that often happens quietly.

  2. 2

    Google Family Link

    Download Family Link on your phone. Create or link your child’s Google account. Manage YouTube time, approve apps and see activity. Supervised YouTube requires Family Link. Check they are signed in with the account you manage — not an old adult account.

  3. 3

    Shorts and recommendations

    Home and Shorts mix subscriptions with suggestions. Watch together, use «Not interested», and turn off autoplay under Settings → Playback. Ask what they search for — search history often reveals interests they do not mention.

  4. 4

    Comments and live

    Comments and live chat can include strangers. On supervised accounts comments and upload are limited. Agree rules for posting and joining live streams. Live donations and Super Chat cost money — lock purchases if your child watches live.

  5. 5

    Memberships and Super Chat

    Payments go through Google Play or the App Store. Check play.google.com/store/account and lock purchases in Family Link or Screen Time. Channel memberships renew automatically — see the subscriptions guide if you are unsure.

The App & Game Decoder explains YouTube briefly. For upsetting content: report in the app and talk with your child. Restricted mode is not perfect — use it together with watch history and conversation.

Related checks

All checks →

Interactive checks that fit what you are reading about here.

More help in Denmark

If you need someone to talk to, use these — they are free, and they take parents and children.

  • Parents’ Helpline 35 55 55 57

    Børns Vilkår. Free, anonymous counselling for parents and relatives in Denmark on 35 55 55 57. They take calls about screens, conflict and online problems.

  • Media Council for Children and Young People

    Public guidance in Denmark on children, young people and digital media. Advice on age, content and parent conversations — without sales language.

  • SletDet counselling 29 27 01 01

    Save the Children’s free counselling in Denmark for children, young people and parents facing bullying, image sharing, hacking and other harmful experiences online. Call 29 27 01 01. You do not need everything sorted before you call.

Sources