YouTube tightens live-stream rules around minors, copyright, firearms
YouTube has outlined various restrictions that can lead to temporary or permanent suspension of live streaming capabilities on its platform. These restrictions include violations related to age restrictions for minors, Community Guidelines breaches (e.g., copyright, content featuring minors without adult supervision, firearms policy), and 'made for kids' content settings which disable or restrict features like live chat and personalized ads.
Key Takeaways
- Under-16 creators need an adult visibly present during live streams from an adult-owned account.
- If a channel is restricted from live streaming, using another channel to stream is treated as circumvention under YouTube’s Terms of Service.
- Live streams with minors under 16 who are not visibly accompanied by an adult may be removed, with live chat disabled on some streams.
- “Made for kids” settings turn off live chat, live chat replay, Super Chat, comments on stream archives and upcoming streams, and reminder notifications.
- YouTube says live streams showing someone holding, handling, or transporting a firearm can be removed and may trigger temporary or permanent loss of live streaming access.
Why It Matters
YouTube is making the live-streaming policy surface more explicit, especially around minors, copyright, firearms, and “made for kids” settings. For creators and channel operators, the immediate issue is operational: a single strike or policy mismatch can remove a live stream or disable live access entirely, and YouTube says account-level restrictions cannot be bypassed by switching channels. The broader effect is tighter control over live features that support engagement and monetization, including chat, Super Chat, and personalized ads. Watch the features page and any email notices from YouTube for live-streaming restrictions and appeal instructions.
Read full article at support.google.com
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