• By Alex David
  • Sat, 28 Jun 2025 11:22 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND

YouTube has strengthened restrictions to safeguard younger users on its platform. Effective July 22, 2025, the age limit for live streaming will go up from 13 to 16 years old. This measure is meant to make sure that YouTube has a safe environment, especially as live streaming becomes more common among younger content creators. While users aged 16 and older will continue to have full access to streaming features, those between 13 and 15 will only be allowed restricted access unless supervised by an adult. The decision comes after attempts made by YouTube to implement child-friendly policies and further ensure protection against abuse and misuse of YouTube’s systems.

New Live Streaming Age Requirements on YouTube

To enhance protections for minors, YouTube modified its Live Stream Restrictions policy. Here are the updated details:

Age

Streaming Allowed?

Adult Required?

Chat Enabled?

16 and above

Yes

No

Yes

13–15 years

Yes

Yes (must be present)

No

Under 13

No

N/A

N/A
  • In addition to chat restriction in the presence of adults, children won’t have access to some other basic live features.
  • Targeted persistent violations will likely lead to loss of access or temporary bans for the associated features on account-linked livestreams.
  • Effective Date: July 22, 2025

YouTube’s Advice for Young Creators and Parents

To meet the new guidelines, YouTube suggests:

  • Granting adult supervision by adding a parent or guardian as a channel editor, manager, or owner.
  • Reviewing YouTube’s content creation safety guides.
  • Teaching online privacy and sharing appropriate information with children.

YouTube’s Broader Platform Developments

In addition to child safety updates, YouTube is testing several new features:

  • Live Stream Leaderboards: Gamified Viewers earn points through Super Chats, chatting, commenting and general vigilance. Special badges are awarded to top-ranked participants in the chat.
  • AI Highlights (June 26 – July 30): A pilot displaying video summaries created by AI on Android and iOS devices. It showcases excerpts with titles and explanations akin to Google’s AI Overviews.

Final Thoughts

YouTube's new streaming policy seeks to harmonise between allowing users to create freely and protecting them. The new policies that raise the age requirement for streaming to 16 with parental supervision underline YouTube's responsible content moderation practices. These policies are extremely important as junior users are now getting more interested in content creation in the newly evolving digital world. Guardians and streamers need to be updated on the latest changes made, so they can help monitor safe streaming practices.