YouTube apps on TV rolling out ‘parent code’ to limit access for kids

With the main YouTube app replacing YouTube Kids on televisions this year, Google is adding a new “parent code” lock.

Enabling the new parent code setting will “prevent kids from watching YouTube signed out or accessing accounts meant for older members of your household.” 

This is a 4-digit PIN that must be entered to:

• Watch YouTube as a signed out viewer
• Access accounts for older members of your household (over 13 years old, or applicable age in your country)
• Remove accounts from the TV device

The parent code has been highly requested since YouTube made the profile switching change on smart TVs: “We hope this change gives you added comfort in knowing kids cannot use accounts and features on your smart TV that aren’t meant for them, while also making recommendations in your profile more relevant to your interests rather than what you previously watched together as a family.”

YouTube is “slowly rolling out to everyone over the next couple of days.” Once available, here’s how you set up the YouTube parent code on TVs:

1. Open the YouTube app on your smart TV.
2. From the homepage, select Settings on the left.
3. Select the Parent code tab.
4. Follow the prompts to set up or to reset your 4-digit code.