In a significant policy shift aimed at enhancing online safety, Google has raised the minimum age requirement for live streaming on YouTube from 13 to 16 years. The new rule will come into effect from July 22, 2025, and marks a step forward in protecting children and teenagers from growing cyber threats. The announcement was made on YouTube’s official support page, where Google emphasized that the move is part of its broader efforts to create a safer digital environment for young users. The decision comes amid rising concerns over cybercrime, online harassment, and inappropriate content targeting minors.
Minimum age for live streaming is now 16 years. Previously, users as young as 13 were allowed to go live.
Users under 16 will not be allowed to stream live alone. If a user below the age limit attempts to go live without supervision, the stream will be immediately terminated and live chat will be disabled.
Supervised streaming: If a user under 16 wishes to go live, an adult must be present during the session.
Parental control: Minors must transfer channel management to a parent or guardian, giving adults full access and control over the YouTube account.
Google has already implemented several safety features to protect young users, including “Made for Kids” content designations, supervised accounts, and parental control dashboards. These tools aim to give parents more oversight over what their children watch and how they engage on the platform.
Cybersecurity experts and digital parenting advocates have largely welcomed the move, noting that children and teens are especially vulnerable to online exploitation and cyberbullying. Many believe that raising the age limit will reduce these risks and improve overall mental health outcomes for younger users.
While some content creators have expressed concern that the new rules may create confusion or limit creative freedom for younger users, experts argue that the benefits of enhanced security far outweigh the drawbacks. As the implementation date nears, YouTube has advised users to review their account settings, verify their age, and make any necessary adjustments to comply with the new policy.