TL;DR: Google Family Link provides basic YouTube controls for Android and Chromebook users. Set up a supervised account, choose from three content levels, enable screen time limits, and monitor watch history. It's free but limited — no channel-specific controls. For stronger protection, combine with whitelist-based solutions.
What Is Google Family Link?
Google Family Link is Google's free parental control service for managing children's Android devices and Chromebooks. It lets parents:
- Create supervised Google accounts for children under 13
- Set screen time limits and bedtimes
- Approve or block app downloads
- Control YouTube content settings
- View location and activity reports
Family Link is built into Android and Chrome OS, making it the natural choice for families in the Google ecosystem.
Step 1: Create a Family Link Account
Before configuring YouTube, you need a supervised Google account for your child:
- Download Google Family Link for parents on your phone (iOS or Android)
- Open the app and tap "Get Started"
- Select "Create account for a child"
- Enter your child's name, birthday, and gender
- Create a Gmail address and password for them
- Sign in with your own Google account to link as supervisor
- Review and accept the terms
Important: Use your child's real birthday. Accounts for children under 13 have different Terms of Service and privacy protections (COPPA compliance).
Step 2: Sign In on Your Child's Device
- On your child's Android phone/tablet or Chromebook, sign out of any existing accounts
- Sign in with the new supervised Google account
- You'll receive a notification in Family Link to approve the device
- Approve and the supervision features become active
Step 3: Configure YouTube Settings
Now configure YouTube specifically:
- Open Family Link app on your phone
- Select your child's profile
- Tap Controls
- Tap Content restrictions
- Tap YouTube
YouTube Content Levels
Family Link offers three content settings:
| Setting | Age | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
| Explore | 9+ | Content suitable for ages 9+. More limited selection. |
| Explore More | 13+ | Broader content suitable for teens. Some mature themes. |
| Most of YouTube | All | Nearly all content except age-restricted videos. |
Additional YouTube Settings
- Search: Toggle on/off. Disabling search means kids only see home page recommendations.
- Watch History: View what your child has watched (accessible in Family Link).
- Search History: See what terms they've searched for.
Step 4: Set Screen Time Limits
Control how long your child can use YouTube:
- In Family Link, go to your child's profile
- Tap Controls > App limits
- Find YouTube in the app list
- Tap and set a daily time limit (e.g., 1 hour)
- Optionally set Downtime schedules (no device use during bedtime)
Family Link YouTube Limitations
While Family Link is free and convenient, it has significant limitations:
No Channel-Specific Control
You cannot block or approve specific channels. The three content levels use algorithmic filtering that may allow inappropriate content or block safe educational content.
Android/Chromebook Only
Family Link's full features work only on Android devices and Chromebooks. iOS support is limited to the parent app; you cannot supervise an iPhone/iPad with Family Link.
Ends at Age 13
When your child turns 13, they can choose to remove supervision. Have a plan for transitioning to trust-based digital citizenship before this milestone.
Can Be Bypassed
Determined kids can access YouTube through:
- Other devices not linked to Family Link
- Friends' devices
- Web browsers in certain contexts
- VPNs (though these can be blocked)
When Family Link Isn't Enough
Consider additional protection if:
- You want control over specific channels (not just content levels)
- Your child uses Windows/Mac computers
- You want to block YouTube Shorts specifically
- Your child is tech-savvy and finds workarounds
Whitelist-based solutions like WhitelistVideo complement Family Link by adding:
- Channel-level approval (only approved channels accessible)
- Cross-platform protection (Windows, Mac, Chromebook)
- OS-level enforcement (no incognito bypass)
- YouTube Shorts blocking by default
Recommended Setup
For comprehensive YouTube protection on Android/Chromebook:
- Base layer: Set up Family Link with "Explore" content level
- Time limits: Configure daily YouTube limits (e.g., 1-2 hours)
- Content layer: Add WhitelistVideo for channel-specific control
- Monitoring: Review watch history weekly in Family Link
- Communication: Discuss what they're watching and why limits exist
Get Started
Google Family Link is free and takes about 15 minutes to set up. It's a solid foundation for Android and Chromebook families, but for YouTube specifically, consider adding whitelist-based controls for complete channel-level protection.
WhitelistVideo integrates with your existing Family Link setup, adding the channel approval layer that Family Link lacks.
Frequently Asked Questions
In Family Link, go to your child's profile, tap Controls > Content restrictions > YouTube. Choose a content level: 'Explore' (ages 9+), 'Explore More' (ages 13+), or 'Most of YouTube' (nearly all content). You can also toggle search on/off and access watch history.
No. Google Family Link doesn't allow blocking or approving specific YouTube channels. It only offers three general content levels based on age-appropriateness. For channel-level control, you need third-party solutions like WhitelistVideo.
Family Link supervision ends when a child turns 13 (or the applicable age in your country). At that point, they can choose to graduate to a standard Google account or continue supervision. Parents should prepare by establishing trust and digital literacy before this transition.
Family Link can manage the YouTube Kids app, including setting timers and content levels. However, YouTube Kids has its own in-app parental controls that work independently. Family Link adds device-level oversight like app installation approval and screen time limits.
Published: September 8, 2025 • Last Updated: September 8, 2025
Dr. Jennifer Walsh
Digital Literacy Educator
Dr. Jennifer Walsh is an educational technology specialist with over 20 years of experience in K-12 settings. She earned her Ed.D. in Instructional Technology from Columbia University's Teachers College and her M.Ed. from the University of Virginia. Dr. Walsh served as Director of Educational Technology for Fairfax County Public Schools, overseeing device deployment and safety policies for 180,000 students. She has trained over 5,000 teachers on digital citizenship curricula and consulted for ISTE on student digital safety standards. Her book "Connected Classrooms, Protected Students" (Harvard Education Press, 2021) is used in teacher preparation programs nationwide. She is a guest contributor at WhitelistVideo.
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