In a significant move to enhance online safety for younger users, YouTube has announced stricter regulations for live streaming, raising the minimum age for solo broadcasts to 16. The new policy, set to take effect on July 22nd, marks a shift from the previous age requirement of 13 for live content creation.
Under the updated guidelines, creators aged between 13 and 15 will still be able to appear on live streams, but with a crucial caveat: a visibly present adult must accompany them throughout the entire session. This adult must also hold a managerial role, such as an owner or editor, on the specific channel.
YouTube has outlined clear consequences for non-compliance. Channels found violating these rules may face disabled live chat features, or even a temporary revocation of live streaming access. The platform has indicated that future violations could lead to the complete removal of such live streams and a temporary suspension of live streaming capabilities for the account.
“As of 22 July, we are increasing the minimum age required to livestream to 16 years old,” YouTube stated on its official website. “Additionally, 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.”
For creators under 16 wishing to live stream, YouTube suggests granting an adult access to their channel as an editor, manager, or owner. This arrangement would allow the adult to initiate the live stream from the younger creator’s account, ensuring the content still reaches their intended audience.
This development follows similar steps taken by other major social media platforms. Earlier this year, Meta implemented comparable restrictions on Instagram and Facebook, requiring parental permission for users under 16 to utilize Instagram Live and to disable the nudity blurring feature in direct messages.
The move by YouTube underscores a growing industry-wide focus on safeguarding minors in the digital space, particularly concerning interactive features like live streaming that can expose young users to unforeseen risks. While some, like Australia’s internet watchdog, have previously clashed with YouTube over broader social media bans for those under 16, these new live streaming rules appear to be a measured step towards creating a more secure online environment for its younger audience.
————————————————
