YouTube safe settings

YouTube Safety Settings: A Back Up Plan for Safer Browsing

Setting up some safe settings in YouTube can certainly help curtail some of the unwanted and inappropriate content that may find its way onto the screens of your young child’s computer or portable device. With many kids attending schools taking part in the BYOD program, an internet enabled device is one part of the backpack contents and hence opens them up to a myriad of unwanted content. By following these very simple steps hopefully we can stop little Johnny from seeing anything lewd as he innocently (or not so innocently) searches for his favourite cartoon.I must stress however, that whilst this is a very simple safeguard that takes only seconds, it is in no way 100% full proof and certainly not something that should give us a false sense of security.  We know there are times our kids will log on when we are not around, and this provides a pretty good back up plan for those moments when we cant always be monitoring.

 

Step 1: Open YouTube icon and tap on the settings button (see below)

youtubesettings1

 

 

Step 2: Click on Safe Search Filtering

youtubesettings2

 

 

Step 3: Click on strict so that the tick appears next to it.

you-tube-safe-settings

 

 

Easy hey! Remember this must be done on each different device your child uses. It is also important to be aware that not every device your child views videos or content will be safeguarded. As they get older they will have access to friends devices or have play dates where parents may not have anything set up safely. Be sure to be aware and alert to the possibility your child may view inappropriate or disturbing content and be ready to have those conversations.

To set up Safari safely in seconds click here.

Ever had your child inadvertently come across any dodgy online content?

Share this post

Like this article? Sign up to our email newsletter and never miss a post.

This Post Has 17 Comments

  1. This looks easy. I haven’t done this yet so will have a look. My teens watch a lot of stuff on Youtube but say they haven’t had bad experiences: hope that’s true.

    1. Martine Oglethorpe

      Thanks Seana, yes it is definitely easy. Now I am off to check out your white choc mud cake!

  2. I love this post! I realised after working at an expo with a kids stand that kids are into youtube at a VERY early age, I found it quite shocking! Love this safe search!

    1. Martine Oglethorpe

      Thanks Eleise, yes they are certainly in to it at younger and younger ages so always good to have a back up setting.

  3. DONE – I just got both iPads and put on filters on Google and YouTube, thanks so much Martine as sometimes when they’re searching for Peppa Pig etc random things DO come up 🙂

    1. Martine Oglethorpe

      Good Job Emily. Yes there are some weird things that pop up on our seemingly innocent searches!

  4. Annaleis

    Thanks so much for sharing this. My son loves watching mine craft and lego movies on You tube and we have had a few pop up that were inappropriate (luckily not completely awful).

    1. Martine Oglethorpe

      Glad there has been nothing too bad. As I said it is not 100% but always good to have a back up for the little ones.

  5. EssentiallyJess

    Excellent. Thank you. Was just thinking today I need to double check the security settings on the computer when Bridie was googling things for her homework. I’ll do this one as well and make sure it’s all up to scratch.

  6. Francesca

    Thanks, this is a great idea. My daughter is just figuring out how to look at things on the internet in addition to ABC for kids so this will come in very handy!

    (Visiting from FYBF)

    1. Martine Oglethorpe

      Thanks Francesca, it is amazing how quickly they make that transition to start searching for themselves.

  7. Kylie Purtell

    This is really good to know. My girls aren’t big enough to be browsing the internet or YouTube by themselves, but sometimes even I am shocked by some of the stuff that comes up when I’m looking on YouTube so it would be good to filter some of it for myself.
    #teamIBOT

    1. Martine Oglethorpe

      Yes definitely Kylie, we dont need to see the dodgy stuff either!

  8. Lacy

    Hello! I just would like to offer you a big thumbs up for
    the great information you’ve got here on this post.

    I am returning to your website for more soon.

Comments are closed.