What age restriction does and why you might change it
Age restriction on YouTube is a setting that controls what videos you can watch based on your account's listed birth date. YouTube uses this to hide videos marked as "made for kids" from adult accounts, and to prevent child accounts from accessing mature content. If your birth date is wrong in your account, or if you've turned 18 since you created your account, you may need to update this setting so you can watch the videos you're looking for.
The restriction works in two directions. If your account says you're under 13, YouTube blocks videos marked as made for kids from appearing in recommendations and search results — even if you could technically watch them. If your account says you're 13 or older, you can see most content, but some videos uploaded by creators who marked them as "made for kids" will have limited features like comments turned off.
Changing your age restriction means updating your birth date in your Google Account settings. YouTube pulls this information from Google, not from a separate YouTube database, so the change affects your entire Google account across all services.
Key Takeaways
- Age restriction on YouTube is controlled by your birth date in your Google Account, not by a separate YouTube setting.
- You can only change your birth date once per year, and Google may require you to verify your identity with a phone number or payment method.
- The change takes effect when ready, but YouTube's content filters may take a few hours to fully update across all your devices.
- If you cannot change your birth date yourself, a parent or guardian with access to the account can update it for you.
How to change your birth date in Google Account settings
Open a web browser and go to myaccount.google.com. Sign in with the Google account connected to your YouTube channel. On the left side of the screen, click Personal info. You will see a section labeled Basic info with your name, email, and birth date listed.
Click on the birth date field. A box will appear showing your current month, day, and year. Update each field to your correct birth date, then click Save. Google may ask you to verify your identity by sending a code to your phone number or by confirming a recent charge on a payment method you have on file. Follow the prompts to complete the verification.
Once you have saved your new birth date, return to YouTube and refresh the page. The change takes effect when ready in your account settings, though YouTube's recommendation system and content filters may take a few hours to fully update across all your devices and apps.
What happens if Google asks for identity verification
Google requires identity verification when you change your birth date because this information affects which services you can access and what data Google can collect about you. This is a legal requirement under children's privacy laws in many countries.
If Google asks for verification, you will see a prompt to either receive a code via text message to a phone number on your account, or to confirm a recent charge on a payment method (like a credit card) you have registered. Choose whichever option is easiest for you. Enter the code or confirm the charge, and your birth date change will be saved.
If you do not have a phone number or payment method on your account, you may not be able to change your birth date yourself. In this case, a parent or guardian who has access to the account can add a phone number or payment method, then complete the birth date change on your behalf.
The once-per-year limit on birth date changes
Google allows you to change your birth date only once every 12 months. This limit exists to prevent account takeovers — if someone gains unauthorized access to your account, they cannot repeatedly change your age to bypass parental controls or content restrictions.
If you have already changed your birth date within the past year and need to change it again, you will see an error message saying you must wait until the anniversary of your last change. If you made a mistake and need to correct it urgently, contact Google Account Support through support.google.com and explain the situation. Google may make an exception for genuine errors, though this is not may provide.
How age restriction affects what you see on YouTube
If your account is set to under 13, YouTube will not show you videos marked as "made for kids" in search results, recommendations, or your Watch Later list. You also cannot access YouTube features like creating playlists, leaving comments, or uploading videos. These restrictions exist because of laws that protect children's privacy online.
If your account is set to 13 or older, you can see almost all content on YouTube. However, videos that creators marked as "made for kids" will have limited features — comments will be turned off, and the video will not appear in recommendations or search suggestions to users under 13. This does not prevent you from watching the video; it only limits how you can interact with it.
Some videos are also age-restricted by YouTube itself, separate from the "made for kids" marking. These videos require you to sign in and confirm you are at least 18 years old. Changing your birth date will not affect these videos — you will still need to verify your age each time you try to watch one.
Troubleshooting if your birth date won't change
If you see an error message when trying to change your birth date, the most common reason is that you have already changed it within the past 12 months. Check the error message — it will tell you the date you can next make a change. If that date has passed, try changing your birth date again.
If you are still seeing an error, make sure you are signed into the correct Google Account. Some people have multiple Google accounts and accidentally try to change the birth date on the wrong one. Sign out completely, then sign back in and verify you are on the account connected to your YouTube channel.
If the problem continues, your account may have additional security restrictions. Go to support.google.com, click Contact us, and describe the issue. Google's support team can investigate whether your account has been flagged for unusual activity or if there is a technical problem preventing the change.
What to do if a parent or guardian controls your account
If a parent or guardian set up your account using Google Family Link, they control your birth date and age restrictions. You cannot change these settings yourself — your parent or guardian must do it through their Family Link app or dashboard.
Ask your parent or guardian to open the Family Link app on their phone or go to families.google.com on a computer. They should sign in, select your account, go to Settings, and then Personal info. From there, they can update your birth date the same way an adult would. The change will take effect on your account within a few hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my birth date affect other Google services like Gmail or Google Drive?
Yes. Your birth date is stored in your Google Account and is shared across all Google services. Changing it will update your age across Gmail, Google Drive, Google Photos, and any other Google product you use. This does not delete any of your data — it only updates the birth date Google has on file for you.
Can I change my birth date on the YouTube app instead of on a computer?
No. You must change your birth date through Google Account settings at myaccount.google.com. The YouTube app does not have a birth date setting. Open a web browser on your phone or computer to make the change.
What if I entered a fake birth date when I created my account?
You can change it to your real birth date the same way you would change any incorrect birth date. Go to myaccount.google.com, click Personal info, update the birth date field, and save. Google may ask you to verify your identity. You can only make this change once per year.
Does changing my birth date remove age restrictions from videos I cannot currently watch?
Changing your birth date will allow you to see videos marked as "made for kids" if you update your age to 13 or older. However, videos that YouTube itself has age-restricted (separate from the "made for kids" marking) will still require you to verify your age when you try to watch them, regardless of your account birth date.
How long does it take for YouTube to recognize my new birth date?
The change takes effect when ready in your account settings, but YouTube's recommendation system and content filters may take a few hours to fully update. If you do not see a change right away, try signing out and signing back in, or clearing your browser cache. If it has been more than 24 hours and nothing has changed, contact Google Account Support.