YouTube Raises Minimum Age for Live Streaming to 16 Starting July 2025

YouTube will enforce a 16+ age restriction for live streaming beginning July 22, 2025, marking a significant shift in its youth content policies. The platform previously allowed 13-year-olds to livestream with adult supervision, but the new rules eliminate this option entirely.

The policy change targets heightened risks for younger users, including cyberbullying, privacy violations, and predatory behavior. Accounts operated by underage streamers may face feature limitations or complete livestream revocation under the updated guidelines.

This decision reflects broader industry trends toward child safety, with YouTube facing increasing regulatory scrutiny over minor protection measures. The MOVE could disrupt emerging careers for teenage gaming streamers and digital creators who built audiences through the platform's live features.