Video hosting YouTube has developed a controlled account system for teenagers. It will allow parents to restrict access to controversial content, manage browsing history and regulate functions in the child's account, according to the official Google blog (YouTube).
Parents will have access to three types of content settings: videos for children from 9 years old, videos for teenagers from 13 years old, as well as the "Almost all YouTube" option, which includes most of the videos, except for videos for viewers over 18 years old. In addition, the service will provide the ability to set parameters through the Family Link application from Google - in it you can set a limit on the viewing time.
The project was developed in collaboration with parents and experts in the field of information security and digital literacy. Beta testing of the new mode will begin shortly.
YouTube will use automatic filters and manual review of videos when compiling selections, as well as the ratings of authors and viewers. Video hosting plans to gradually add new parental controls, such as blocking any videos.
The interface in the controlled account will hardly differ from the standard one, but ads of certain categories and personalized ads will be blocked in it. Also, in test mode, it will not be possible to make in-app purchases, leave comments, and publish videos.
In 2019, Google was fined $ 200 million for violating children's privacy. The owner of YouTube has collected personal data for targeted advertising. It was shown to children under 13 without parental permission, although this is prohibited by law.