How does WhitelistVideo Auto-pilot Screening work?

Let Auto-pilot automatically check if individual videos are appropriate based on content categories you choose.

What does Auto-pilot mode do?

Without Auto-pilot (Manual mode):

• Only videos from approved channels play
• All other videos are blocked

With Auto-pilot mode:

• Videos from approved channels always play
• Other videos are screened by Auto-pilot in real-time
• If the video fits your approved categories, it plays automatically
• Videos that don't match your categories are blocked

How to enable Auto-pilot mode

Step 1: Open your child's profile

1. Open the Parents' App on your phone
2. Select your child using the child switcher at the top

Step 2: Enable Auto-pilot

1. Tap the Protection Level card on your dashboard
2. Select Auto-pilot (marked with a "Recommended" badge)

How to choose content categories

After enabling Auto-pilot mode, select which categories are appropriate:

Step 1: Open Configure Categories

1. With Auto-pilot selected, tap Configure Categories inside the Auto-pilot option on the Protection Level view
2. You'll see your currently enabled categories as tags (e.g., Educational, Science Tech, + 2 more)

Step 2: View available categories

Categories are organized into groups:

Scroll horizontally to see all columns.

Step 3: Select categories

To select individual categories:

• Tap on any category pill to select it (it turns colored with a checkmark)

To select an entire group:

• Tap on the group header (e.g., "Technology & Skills")
• All categories in that group will be selected
• The counter shows how many are selected (e.g., "4/4")

Step 4: Search categories (optional)

Use the Search categories... box to find specific ones quickly.

Step 5: Clear selections (optional)

Tap Clear All to deselect all categories and start over.

Appropriateness Check

Control how strictly Auto-pilot judges language and mature themes in video content. This adds an extra layer on top of category filtering — even if a video matches your selected categories, it can still be blocked if it contains inappropriate language or mature themes.

What does Appropriateness Check do?

Without Appropriateness Check (Off):

• Auto-pilot filters by category only
• A video that matches your categories is allowed, regardless of language used

With Appropriateness Check (Mild or Strict):

• Auto-pilot filters by category AND judges the language/maturity of the content
• Videos with strong language or mature themes are blocked, even if the category matches

How to enable Appropriateness Check

Step 1: Open Protection Level

1. Open the Parents' App on your phone
2. Select your child using the child switcher at the top
3. Tap the Protection Level card on your dashboard

Step 2: Select Auto-pilot

Make sure Auto-pilot is selected as your protection level. Appropriateness Check only appears when Auto-pilot is active.

Step 3: Find Appropriateness Check

Scroll down inside the Auto-pilot option. Below Configure Categories, you'll see the Appropriateness Check section with the subtitle:

"How strictly Auto-pilot judges language and mature themes in what's said."

Step 4: Choose your level

Tap one of the three options:

Scroll horizontally to see all columns.

Your selection applies immediately — no save button needed. The change syncs to your child's device within seconds.

Which level should I choose?

Scroll horizontally to see all columns.

How Appropriateness Check works with categories

When both are active, a video must pass both checks:

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Videos from your approved channels always play regardless of Appropriateness Check settings.

Default setting

Appropriateness Check is Off by default for all children. Category filtering is active, but no language or maturity checks are performed until you enable Mild or Strict.

Platform availability

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Appropriateness Check FAQ

What's the default level?

Off. When you first enable Auto-pilot, only category filtering is active. You need to manually select Mild or Strict to enable language and maturity checks.

Does it affect videos from my approved channels?

No. Videos from your approved channels always play, regardless of Appropriateness Check settings. The check only applies to videos discovered through category matching.

How fast does it take effect?

Immediately. When you tap a level, the change syncs to your child's device within seconds via real-time connection.

Can I set different levels for different children?

Yes. Appropriateness Check is a per-child setting. Each child can have a different level based on their age and maturity.

Why don't I see Appropriateness Check?

1. Your protection level must be set to Auto-pilot (not Off or Whitelist Only)
2. You need a Premium subscription
3. If both are correct, scroll down inside the Auto-pilot option — it appears below Configure Categories

How Auto-pilot works with channels

In Auto-pilot mode, both systems work together:

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This gives you the best of both worlds: guaranteed access to trusted channels plus intelligent filtering for discovery.

Example setups

For a 10-year-old interested in science:

1. Enable Auto-pilot mode
2. Select: Educational, Science, Documentary, Nature, Animals
3. Add favorite science channels to Approved Channels
4. Result: Child can watch science videos, nature documentaries, and educational content

For a teenager learning to code:

1. Enable Auto-pilot mode
2. Select: Technology, Programming, Engineering, DIY-How-To
3. Result: Child can watch coding tutorials and tech content

What does my child see when Auto-pilot blocks a video?

When Auto-pilot blocks a video, your child sees:

Message shown:

"Auto-pilot: Content Not Appropriate"

The screen includes:

• "Watch These Approved Channels Instead" - Clickable cards for approved channels
• REQUESTS - How many requests remain (e.g., "9 left, Resets 6:30 PM")
• THIS CHANNEL - Wait time for re-analysis (e.g., "Wait 58min")
• STATUS - Shows "Pending - Review soon" while Auto-pilot processes
• Two action buttons:
  • "Ask Parent" - Request parent approval for this channel
  • "Rerun Auto-pilot" - Try screening the video again

Rerun Auto-pilot screening

If your child believes Auto-pilot made a mistake, they can tap "Rerun Auto-pilot" to have the video re-evaluated. This is useful if:

• The video content changed
• Auto-pilot initially couldn't fully screen the video
• Network issues affected the first screening

When should I use Auto-pilot?

Good for:

• Broader access: Let your child explore more of YouTube safely within enabled categories
• New interests: When your child discovers new topics in enabled categories
• Busy parents: Less time spent manually reviewing every channel

Not ideal for:

• Very young children: Manual mode with approved channels only may be better
• Maximum control: Manual mode gives you the most control

Switching between modes

To switch to Whitelist Only:

1. Tap the Protection Level card on your dashboard
2. Select Whitelist Only
3. Configure Categories will no longer be available
4. Only your approved channels will be accessible
5. Your category selections are saved and will reactivate if you switch back to Auto-pilot

To switch to Off:

1. Tap the Protection Level card on your dashboard
2. Select Off
3. All filtering is disabled
4. Use only when supervising your child

Override Auto-pilot decisions

If Auto-pilot makes a decision you disagree with:

• Auto-pilot allowed something inappropriate: Consider disabling that category, or whitelist only the channels you trust for that topic
• Auto-pilot blocked something safe: Approve the channel manually — approved channels always override Auto-pilot decisions

Tips for using Auto-pilot

Start with approved channels

Build a base list of approved channels first. Use Auto-pilot to supplement, not replace, your approved list.

Start conservative

Begin with fewer categories. Add more categories as you see how it works for your child.

Combine with Player Controls

Use Player Controls to hide comments, block Shorts, and add additional safety layers.

Auto-pilot Screening troubleshooting

"Enable Auto-pilot to use categories" message

This means your protection level is not set to Auto-pilot. Tap the Protection Level card on your dashboard and select Auto-pilot.

Why is Whitelist Categories grayed out?

1. Your protection level is not set to Auto-pilot — tap the Protection Level card and select Auto-pilot
2. You may need a Premium subscription - check your plan

Why did Auto-pilot allow a video I don't want my child to watch?

1. Consider removing that category from your enabled list
2. Whitelist only the channels you trust for that topic

Why did Auto-pilot block a safe video?

1. Check if the video's category is in your enabled list
2. Whitelist the channel manually if you trust it
3. Make sure the category is selected

Why aren't my content categories saving?

1. Changes save automatically as you select
2. Wait for the sync to complete
3. Check your internet connection

More troubleshooting →