YouTube is implementing new live streaming rules that will increase the minimum age for unsupervised broadcasting from 13 to 16 years old, effective beginning last week of July.. The change represents the platform’s latest effort to enhance safety measures for younger users amid growing concerns about teen online activity.

Under the updated policy, creators between 13 and 15 years old will still be permitted to broadcast, but only when “visibly accompanied by an adult” who must actively engage in the stream.

“The adult has to be visibly present and engage in the live stream as much as you do so that we know that you are co-creating with them,” YouTube stated in its support page update.

Younger creators who wish to continue live streaming must grant an adult access to their channel as an editor, manager, or owner. This arrangement allows the adult to initiate livestreams from the minor’s account while ensuring appropriate supervision.

YouTube plans to implement strict enforcement measures for the new policy. Live streams featuring 13-15-year-olds without visible adult supervision may initially have their live chat disabled, with accounts potentially losing access to certain features.

The platform also indicated that in the future, non-compliant live streams will be removed entirely, and accounts may temporarily lose live streaming privileges. Creators attempting to circumvent these restrictions by streaming from alternate channels risk permanent account termination under YouTube’s Terms of Service.

Context of Youth Digital Safety Initiatives

This policy change comes amid YouTube’s broader efforts to protect younger users online. In March, the platform launched the Youth Digital Wellbeing Initiative in partnership with content creators and distributors from ten countries to develop age-appropriate content for young viewers.

The live streaming age restriction also follows YouTube’s September 2024 algorithm adjustments, which limit teenagers’ exposure to content related to weight, fitness, and physical appearance, potentially negatively impacting self-perception.

Teen Online Behavior Trends

Recent research from Pew Research Center indicates that 46% of U.S. teens report being online “almost constantly,” with YouTube maintaining its position as the most widely used platform among 90% of teens. The study found that 73% of teen YouTube users visit the platform daily, with 15% describing their use as “almost constant.”

The new live streaming policy aligns with increasing scrutiny of social media’s impact on youth mental health and safety, with YouTube positioning these changes as part of its ongoing commitment to creating a safer online environment for younger users.