YOUTUBE has announced a major rule change that will see some creator content banned on the platform.
A shake-up is coming into effect on July 22 – though some people say the new rules don’t go far enough.
1
The news will come as a blow to young creators on YouTube.
In less than four weeks, the age limit for live streaming on YouTube is being increased.
Currently, you’re allowed to live stream on your own if you’re at least 13 years-old.
From July 22 onward, you’ll need to be at least 16 years-old instead.
If the creator has an adult present in the video then all is fine.
YouTube owner Google has warned that any live streams featuring 13 to 15-year-olds who are not visibly accompanied by an adult “may have their live chat disabled” and the account “may temporarily lose access to live chat or other features”.
“Please note that, in the future, we plan to take down these live streams and the account may temporarily lose its ability to live stream,” the tech giant’s website says.
It’s not clear why Google has decided to adjust the age.
But users on social media believe the limit should be 18.
“Imo it should be at least 18 considering there are a lot of freaks on the internet,” one person commented on Reddit.
“Good. It should be 18, kids shouldn’t be streaming,” another wrote.
A third added: “Good luck enforcing this without ID.”
Keeping kids safe on YouTube
RESTRICTED Mode is an optional setting on YouTube that helps filter out mature videos.
It’s not perfect, but it’s a good way of scrubbing out a large portion of the adult material on YouTube.
However, you have to turn it off manually for each browser or device your child is using – it can’t simply be applied at account level.
On your computer, go to the account icon – a little person icon in the top right corner of your screen.
Click Restricted Mode, then use the toggle button to turn it on.
On the Android phone app or mobile site, tap the menu icon, which looks like three vertical dots.
Then go to Settings > General and turn Restricted Mode on.
On Android TV, go to the Home screen then scroll down to the Apps row.
Select YouTube, then scroll down and select Settings.
Choose Restricted Mode or Safety Mode, then select Enabled.
On the iOS app (for iPhones or iPad), tap the account icon in the top right.
Tap Settings then Restricted Mode Filtering, then choose Strict: Restricted Mode On.
On the iOS mobile site, tap the menu icon, which looks like a three-dot column.
Tap Settings then tap Restricted Mode to turn it on or off.
