Livestreaming is more popular than ever, especially among young content creators. But starting July 22, 2025, YouTube is updating its age policy to reflect growing safety concerns. The platform will now require users to be at least 16 years old to livestream without restrictions.
The change was quietly announced via YouTube’s Help page, which now states:
“As of 22 July 2025, you need to be at least 16 years old to live stream on YouTube.”
That’s a bump from the previous 13-year minimum, and it’s clearly aimed at increasing protections for minors on the platform.
What Happens If You’re Under 16?
If YouTube detects users between 13 to 15 years old livestreaming:
- The stream will be removed
- Live chat will be disabled
These creators won’t be completely banned from going live—but they will have to meet stricter requirements:
- An adult must be assigned as the channel manager
- The livestream must be started from YouTube’s Live Control Room
- The adult must be visibly present during the entire broadcast
It’s a lot of extra steps, but it’s clearly meant to create a safer, more controlled environment for young streamers.
Why the Policy Is Changing
This new restriction builds on YouTube’s existing child safety policies, which have continued to evolve over the years. With livestreaming becoming more mainstream, especially among young users, the risks of harassment, doxxing, and exposure to harmful content have increased. YouTube’s update seems like a response to those growing concerns.
The Help page also shares general livestream safety tips—things like:
- Avoid sharing personal info on camera
- Use privacy settings wisely
- Actively moderate your live chat
These are useful reminders for any creator, but especially important for younger users navigating the world of live content.
The Trade-Off: Safety Over Reach
Yes, this update might slow things down for young creators just starting their journey, but the intention behind the change is clear. It’s about giving young users time to grow and protecting them from the unpredictable nature of live internet interaction.
YouTube’s move shows that they’re prioritizing child safety over raw engagement numbers, and that’s a step in the right direction.
What do you think about this new age restriction for livestreaming? Do you think it’s a smart move—or too limiting? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Also check: WhatsApp Beta Adds New Call Features: Mute Shortcut, Video Toggle, and Emoji Reactions