Posted by ReyFort Media
Video-sharing platform YouTube is introducing new features to help parents guide their teens’ online habits and encourage more intentional screen time.
“At YouTube, we believe in protecting children within the digital world, not from the digital world,” Jennifer Flannery O’Connor, vice president of Product Management at YouTube, said.
“We’ve spent over a decade building tailored protections for our youngest viewers based on what parents and experts tell us they need: better controls, age-appropriate content, and simple account management,” she added.
For many Filipino teens, YouTube has become a go-to tambayan, from streaming vlogs and podcasts to watching sports highlights or studying for exams. Recognizing this, the platform is rolling out several updates designed to give families more control and ensure teens have a healthy balance between entertainment and learning.
One of the key features is the Shorts Timer, a first-of-its-kind tool that lets parents set time limits on short-form videos. The timer can be set to zero during study hours or extended for leisure, such as weekend breaks or long car rides. Soon, parents will also be able to set the limit to zero permanently if desired.
Parents using supervised accounts can now customize “Bedtime” and “Break” reminders, while a new account-switching feature makes it easier for families who share devices to manage multiple accounts with age-appropriate settings.
YouTube is also helping teens discover high-quality, educational content. New guidelines for creators, developed with global experts like the American Psychological Association and the Digital Wellness Lab at Boston Children’s Hospital, prioritize videos from channels such as Khan Academy, CrashCourse, and TED-Ed, ensuring young viewers get both fun and meaningful content.
These updates are part of YouTube’s ongoing effort to keep the platform a safe, inspiring space for all generations of Filipino families. (Interaksyon/with R. Adel)
ReyFort Media 
Leave a comment