YouTube Raises Livestreaming Age to 16 Amid New Child Safety Rules

 

YouTube has announced a major update to its livestreaming policy, raising the minimum age limit for creators to go live independently from 13 to 16 years, effective July 22, 2025. This move is part of the platform’s ongoing commitment to strengthening child safety rules and addressing long-standing concerns about minors' exposure to online risks.

Under the new YouTube policy, users aged 13 to 15 will only be allowed to appear in livestreams if they are supervised by an adult, who must not only be visibly present during the stream but also have a managerial role on the channel—such as editor or owner. Failure to meet these criteria could lead to restrictions like disabling live chat, taking down the stream, or even revoking livestream access.

Additionally, YouTube is leveraging AI-powered tools to verify the age of creators, ensuring accurate enforcement of the policy. These YouTube content guidelines form part of a broader initiative by Google to build a safer online environment for young users, while preserving creative freedom under stricter oversight.