YouTube has announced it’s raising the minimum age requirement for users to broadcast their own livestreams. Where previously, anyone over the age of 13 could stream freely, 16 is now the new target.
Up until now, YouTube users aged 13 or older were allowed to stream live content on the platform without restrictions. This age is identical to the minimum requirement found across other streaming-oriented platforms like Twitch and Kick.
Now, however, the Google-owned platform is raising its minimum age requirement. Coming into effect on July 22, users will need to be 16 years old in order to live stream on YouTube.
Thus, anyone younger will need to be accompanied on-stream by an adult. Failure to abide by this change will result in a number of consequences, ranging from live chat restrictions to outright losing the ability to stream.
Budding YouTube streamers need to ensure they meet the new minimum age requirement.
YouTube’s new livestream age restriction explained
Put simply, from July 22 on, users need to be over the age of 16 in order to safely click the ‘Go live’ button on YouTube. If you meet that requirement, you’re able to stream freely without any consequences.
Previously, that age requirement was set to 13 years or older. Google hasn’t provided an explanation as to why it’s now upping the minimum age by three years.
Given many younger content creators engage with the feature, particularly minor gaming or toy-focused channels, the change does impose some new restrictions.
For any users under the age of 16 who still wish to livestream, they must be visibly accompanied by an adult. So an adult can’t just start the stream and then head over to another room; they must ‘visibly’ be on camera the entire time.
Ignoring these rules obviously comes with implications. Google has outlined how accounts can have access to live chat and “other features” restricted. Furthermore, “in the future, we plan to take down these livestreams, and the account may temporarily lose its ability to livestream.”
How does YouTube’s new livestream age restriction compare to other platforms?
With YouTube upping the minimum age for streaming on the platform, it now sits apart from competitors in the space. Snapchat, Instagram, Twitch, and Kick all have their minimum streaming age set to 13 years old. However, some come with a few caveats.
With regards to Twitch, for users between the age of 13 and the “age of legal majority in your jurisdiction of residence, you may only use the Twitch Services under the supervision of a parent or legal guardian,” as the platform’s terms of service outline.
Unsplash.com: appshunter.ioYouTube now stands apart from the likes of Twitch with regard to its minimum age requirement.
Meanwhile, Kick follows suit with similar verbiage in its guide for parents and educators. “Kick is a live-streaming platform for users ages 13 and older. Users who are 13 (16 in Europe) or older but under the age of majority where they reside (18 in most jurisdictions) may only use Kick with the involvement of a parent or guardian who agrees to Kick’s Terms of Service.
“Children under 13 may not use Kick. We are strict in upholding these age restrictions.”
Only time will tell if other platforms follow suit and raise their minimum age requirement or if YouTube will continue as an outlier.
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