Family guide · Updated August 2026
When Is a Child Ready for YouTube Comments?
Most children under 13 don't need access to YouTube comments. Comments frequently contain profanity, arguments, spoilers, spam links, and content that's inappropriate or confusing for younger viewers. Consider enabling comments when your child can distinguish between opinion and fact, handle negativity without distress, and understands not to engage with strangers online.
Why comments are tricky for kids
- Unmoderated language — profanity and slurs are common
- Arguments and toxicity that can be confusing or distressing
- Spam and phishing links disguised as legitimate messages
- Predatory behavior targeting children who comment
- Misinformation presented confidently by strangers
Readiness signs
- Your child understands that commenters are strangers whose opinions don't define them
- They can encounter rudeness without becoming upset or retaliating
- They know not to share personal information or click unfamiliar links
- They'll tell you if something in comments makes them uncomfortable
- They understand the difference between a creator's content and random viewer opinions
Gradual introduction
- Start with comments off — use WhitelistVideo's Hide Comments toggle or YouTube Kids (no comments by design)
- Read comments together — watch a video together and scroll through comments, discussing what you see
- Enable with check-ins — turn comments on, then discuss what they're noticing periodically
- Full access — when they demonstrate consistent good judgment
The tool options
YouTube Kids has no comments at all. WhitelistVideo's Hide Comments control removes comments from every video in the protected experience — a single toggle, no per-video action needed. YouTube's supervised accounts don't have a dedicated comment-hiding control, though some content levels may restrict certain comment features.