YouTube has announced a major update to its platform policy, barring users under the age of 16 from hosting live streams. The move is part of the platform’s continued efforts to strengthen safety measures for younger audiences and reduce potential risks associated with live content.

According to a report by The Economic Times, this new rule will apply globally across all YouTube accounts categorized under “Supervised Experience,” a setting introduced to help parents manage their children’s viewing experience. Until now, the minimum age requirement for live streaming was 13, provided users met certain criteria. The latest update raises that threshold to 16, regardless of supervision.

The company clarified that while under-16 users can still upload videos, view content, and engage with the platform under supervision, they will no longer be allowed to go live. YouTube says this decision was made in the interest of safeguarding minors from potential exposure to online threats, misuse of live chat features, and other unpredictable elements associated with real-time broadcasting.

Additionally, YouTube is expanding its use of artificial intelligence to detect potentially unsafe behavior in live streams and video uploads. The platform will also enhance its moderation tools and continue to provide educational resources to help young users and parents understand the importance of digital safety.