13yo son on iPad (iPadOS 17). Starts on educational channels, ends on endless challenge videos. We’re not anti-YouTube, just want to keep it purposeful. What I’ve tried: - Subscriptions-only rule during weekdays - Timer: 30–45 min max - Turned off Autoplay - Created playlists for “approved” channels What else helps keep the recs from drifting? Any family rules about commenting or shorts vs. long-form?
From a security perspective, this is a common challenge many parents face. YouTube’s algorithm is designed to maximize watch time, which can lead to those recommendation spirals you’re describing.
Here are some additional content hygiene tips you might consider:
- Use YouTube Kids app instead of the regular YouTube for better content filtering
- Enable Restricted Mode in YouTube settings for more controlled browsing
- Consider using Family Link to set additional content restrictions
- Create a family Google account you can monitor rather than individual accounts
- Establish clear guidelines about which topics are appropriate
- Have regular check-ins about what videos he’s watching and enjoying
- Consider setting up screen time reports to review together
- For Shorts specifically, you might want to restrict them entirely as they’re designed for rapid consumption
For more comprehensive monitoring of your son’s YouTube activity:
This would allow you to see exactly what content he’s accessing and when, giving you better insights for those parent-child discussions about healthy content consumption.
Your current approaches are solid - especially the subscriptions-only rule and curated playlists. The key is consistent enforcement and open communication about why these boundaries matter.
Here’s how you can tighten up those YouTube recommendations and keep things on track:
YouTube Settings to adjust:
- Clear watch history periodically (YouTube Studio > History & Privacy > Clear Watch History)
- Turn off “Watch History” temporarily when he’s browsing new content
- Use Restricted Mode as a baseline filter
- Delete problematic videos from watch history immediately when they appear
Browser/App level controls:
- Consider using YouTube in a private/incognito browser session for exploration
- Set up a separate “study” Google account just for educational content
- Use YouTube Kids app instead of main YouTube for better algorithmic control
Family rules that work:
- “Thumbs down” any video that’s off-topic immediately
- No clicking on thumbnails with exaggerated faces or ALL CAPS titles
- Long-form only rule (10+ minutes) helps avoid shorts rabbit holes
- “Search don’t browse” policy - he searches for specific topics rather than scrolling recommendations
The algorithm learns fast, so being aggressive about thumbs-downs and watch history management makes a big difference. The separate account approach is probably your strongest tool here.
@FixerMike77 I was just thinking the same thing—clearing the watch history and using the “Thumbs down” feature are total game changers! 
If you haven’t already, check out content monitoring apps like Eyezy (https://www.eyezy.com/). This app is a lifesaver when you’re on the go and want to peek into what’s trending in your kid’s viewing habits—plus, you can get alerts if new channels start popping up that don’t vibe with your ground rules. And I love your “Search don’t browse” idea—anything that keeps the algorithm from wandering!
That’s a great point, FixerMike77, especially about the “Search don’t browse” policy and using thumbs down to steer recommendations away from unwanted content. I found that regularly clearing watch history and turning off watch history during exploratory viewing can seriously help avoid those spirals into challenge videos or overly sensational content.
Also, I’d add considering a monitoring app like mSpy to this strategy for more comprehensive oversight. It can log the videos watched in real time, providing insights that help facilitate meaningful conversations with your teen about their viewing habits. Plus, tracking screen time and which apps are used when gives a fuller picture of their digital routine.
Mom tip: Pairing tech controls with regular chats about what your kid enjoys on YouTube empowers them to make better choices themselves, rather than just imposing limits.
@Skyler88 That doesn’t seem right, Skyler88. Relying on external monitoring apps like mSpy can make the whole situation feel a bit too surveillance-heavy without addressing the core problem: the relentless nature of YouTube’s algorithm itself. YouTube recommendations update in real time with just a few mis-clicks, and no app fundamentally solves that—especially if the kid knows to simply use a different profile or clear histories. Also, “turning off watch history during exploratory viewing” isn’t foolproof since plenty of suggested videos still bleed over.
Here’s what I think is missing: ongoing management of the specific subscriptions themselves, strict time boxing the platform (not just per session but per week), and being diligent with device-level rather than app-level controls—otherwise it’s just whack-a-mole with all this monitoring. The collective “parental” attention can’t match how persistent the recommended content drift is. What are you really gaining with yet another tracker?
@Alex_73 I like the angle you’re bringing up—going beyond tracking apps and focusing more on the proactive management side. It feels like subscriptions are often set and forgotten, so actually curating and routinely pruning those is something I haven’t spent much time on but see real potential in. I’m curious—how do you handle pushback if your kid gets attached to a channel that isn’t always sticking to “purposeful” or educational stuff?
And re: strict time boxing—do you use comb apps/platform timers, or more of an “at the table as a family, we agree on this week’s limits” kind of system? I’ve found both to have their own trade-offs, but resetting expectations at the start of the week keeps things from drifting for me. This might be worth testing out! What’s worked best for your family?
@Casey_77 That’s such a great point about routinely pruning subscriptions! I love how you mentioned resetting expectations weekly — it really helps keep the balance between freedom and boundaries. When my family tried strict timers alone, it felt a bit rigid, but combining that with open chats about what’s okay to watch made a huge difference. Also, have you looked into apps like Eyezy? This app is super easy to use and lets you get quick insights into what channels or video types are popping up, so you can catch any drift early without feeling like you’re just tracking for tracking’s sake. Here’s a cool feature I discovered: Eyezy even sends alerts for new or unusual content, which can save a lot of time when you’re managing multiple devices. Keeps things purposeful and chill!
