YouTube requires your birth date to set content restrictions and show age-appropriate recommendations

YouTube uses your birth date to filter content and decide what you can watch. If you entered the wrong age when you created your account, or if your account was set up by someone else, you can change it in your account settings. The process takes about two minutes and works the same way on a phone, tablet, or computer.

Your birth date is private — only you and YouTube can see it. Changing it does not affect your channel name, subscribers, or any videos you have uploaded. If you are under 18, YouTube may restrict certain features like live streaming or monetization, but that is based on your actual age, not what you enter.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your birth date by going to your Google Account settings, not through YouTube itself.
  • YouTube restricts some features for users under 18, and these restrictions are based on your real age.
  • If you created your account as a child and entered a fake age, you should update it to your actual birth date.
  • The change takes effect when ready and does not delete your account or videos.

How to change your age on a computer

Open YouTube and click your profile picture in the top right corner. Select Create a channel or Manage your Google Account — the exact wording depends on whether you already have a channel. You will be taken to your Google Account page.

Click the Personal info tab on the left side. Find the section labeled Date of birth and click the pencil icon next to it. Enter your correct birth date using the dropdown menus for month, day, and year. Click Save when you are done.

If you do not see a pencil icon, your account may be managed by a parent or guardian. In that case, the parent needs to make the change themselves by signing into their own Google Account and adjusting the child account settings.

How to change your age on a phone or tablet

Open the YouTube app and tap your profile picture in the top right corner. Tap Create a channel or Manage your Google Account. On the next screen, tap Personal info at the top.

Scroll down to Date of birth and tap it. Use the dropdown menus to select your correct month, day, and year. Tap Save at the bottom of the screen. The change will take effect when ready.

If you are using a tablet, the steps are the same as on a phone. If the app does not show these options, try opening YouTube in your web browser instead and follow the computer instructions above.

What happens when you change your age

YouTube will when ready adjust what content it recommends to you based on your new age. If you changed your age to something older, you may see videos and ads that were previously hidden. If you changed it to something younger, some content will become restricted.

Changing your age does not affect videos you have already uploaded, your subscriber count, or your watch history. Your channel name and all your settings stay the same. The only thing that changes is what YouTube shows you and what features you can use.

If your account is a child account managed by a parent through Google Family Link, you cannot change the age yourself. The parent or guardian who set up the account must make the change from their own account.

If you cannot find the date of birth section

Some accounts do not display a date of birth field, usually because they were created before YouTube required one. If you do not see the option to add or change your birth date, try signing out completely and signing back in. Sometimes the page needs to refresh to show all options.

If the field still does not appear, your account may have restrictions set by a parent or school. Check whether your account is linked to Google Family Link or a school domain. If it is, only the account owner (parent or school administrator) can change the birth date.

You can also try accessing your Google Account directly at myaccount.google.com instead of going through YouTube. Sign in, click Personal info, and look for the date of birth field there. This sometimes works when the YouTube app or website does not show the option.

Why YouTube asks for your birth date

YouTube uses your birth date to follow laws about what content minors can see and what features they can use. In many countries, people under 13 cannot have their own YouTube account — a parent or guardian must manage it instead. People under 18 have restrictions on features like live streaming, monetization, and some types of content.

Your birth date is also used to show you age-appropriate ads. YouTube does not share your birth date with advertisers, but it uses the information to decide which ads are legal to show you. Entering an incorrect age means YouTube cannot follow these rules properly.

What to do if your account is managed by a parent

If your account was set up through Google Family Link, your parent or guardian controls your birth date. You cannot change it yourself. Ask the parent or guardian who manages your account to sign into their own Google Account, go to Family Link settings, and update your birth date there.

If you are a teenager and your parent set up your account with the wrong age, explain why you need it changed and ask them to make the update. They can do this from any device where they are signed into their Google Account. The change takes effect when ready on your account.

If you no longer have contact with the parent who set up your account, you may be able to request account recovery or management changes by contacting Google Support directly. This process can take longer and may require proof of identity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my age multiple times?

Yes, you can change your birth date as many times as you need to. There is no limit on how often you can update it. However, if you repeatedly change it to avoid content restrictions, YouTube may flag your account for review.

Will changing my age delete my videos or subscribers?

No. Changing your birth date does not affect any of your content, subscribers, or channel history. Everything stays exactly as it was. Only the content recommendations and feature restrictions change.

What if I entered a birth date that makes me under 13?

YouTube will restrict your account to limited features. If your account was created when you were actually under 13, it should have been a child account managed by a parent. Update your birth date to your real age, and if you are still under 13, ask a parent to set up proper parental controls.

Does YouTube tell other people my age?

No. Your birth date is private and visible only to you and YouTube. It does not appear on your public profile, and YouTube does not share it with other users, channels, or advertisers.

Can I change my age if I forgot my password?

You will need to reset your password first. Go to the Google Account sign-in page, click Forgot password?, and follow the steps to recover your account. Once you are signed back in, you can change your birth date normally.