YouTube

YouTube is where most people watch tutorials, music, news and entertainment on their phone. You can follow channels, save videos to watch later and watch short vertical videos called Shorts.

Good to know

• The app is free with ads. A paid Premium plan is optional and removes ads and adds extras such as background play.
• Watch history shapes your recommendations. You can pause or clear it in your account settings.
• Comments and recommendations are not always suitable for children.

For families

Younger children are better served by YouTube Kids or a supervised account set up through Google Family Link. Mobile data adds up quickly with video, so choose a lower playback quality when you are not on Wi-Fi.

A tip for learners: YouTube is a good source for tutorials, but check who made the video before following financial or health advice.

YouTube settings for families

• For young children, use a supervised experience set up through Google Family Link instead of the open app.
• Turn on Restricted Mode if the phone is shared with children. It filters out some content, though it is not perfect.
• Pause or clear Watch history if recommendations are drifting somewhere unhelpful.
• Use the take-a-break and bedtime reminders if the family wants to limit late-night viewing.

Our take

YouTube is a huge library of tutorials, but the quality varies enormously, and the algorithm is built to keep you watching. Use playlists and Watch Later to decide what you learn, and check who made a video before following money or health advice. For children, a supervised setup is much better than the open app.

How it plays out day to day

A teenager uses YouTube to learn a software tool. Playlists keep the lessons in order, and the parent has a supervised account for a younger child so that unsuitable recommendations do not appear.

More on Guj Times

Set up child controls with Google Family Link. Reduce usage with our screen-time guide, and watch your data with data usage tips.

Questions people ask

Is YouTube Premium worth it?

If you watch daily and the ads annoy you, maybe. Check the current plan and price in the app before deciding.

How do I save mobile data on YouTube?

Lower the playback quality on mobile data and download videos on Wi-Fi if your plan allows it.