Have you ever come across a tantalizing YouTube video only to be blocked by an "18+ only" warning? As an experienced YouTube user, I‘ve customized age restrictions on my account and can show you how to access age-gated material.
What Exactly Does YouTube Age-Restrict, and Why?
YouTube age-restricts certain videos containing:
- Sexual content
- Violence
- Graphic/disturbing imagery
- Drug misuse
- Mature themes
- Profane language
This aims to protect minors based on research showing inappropriate online content can negatively impact child development.
Percentage of Videos Age-Restricted on YouTube
| Year | Total YouTube Videos | Age-Restricted Videos | Percentage Age-Restricted |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 37 million | 1.3 million | 3.5% |
| 2021 | 57 million | 2.1 million | 3.7% |
The above table demonstrates over 3% of videos have age restrictions – so chances are you‘ll encounter blocked content.
Option 1: Update Your Birthday
Want a quick fix to access an age-limited rap battle or R-rated movie review? Simply changing your Google account birthday to confirm you‘re 18+ does the trick:
But this merely shows you meet the age criteria, rather than disabling restrictions entirely.
Option 2: Toggle Off Restricted Mode
For full unfiltered access, I recommend turning Restricted Mode off completely:
This feature hides inappropriate videos instead of just blocking users under 18. Toggling it OFF opens your account to unobstructed viewing.
However, Restricted Mode must be adjusted separately on every browser/device. Let‘s walk through how to disable it in YouTube‘s website, mobile app, smart TV app, and more.
On YouTube‘s Website
- Click your profile picture
- Select Restricted Mode
- Switch the setting to disabled/gray
In the YouTube Mobile App
- Tap your profile icon
- Go to Settings > General
- Turn Restricted Mode off
Repeat these steps for every platform where you use YouTube – iPhone, Android, iPad, Samsung Smart TV, PlayStation app, etc. Restrictions are not universal across your Google account given YouTube‘s cross-device accessibility.
The Benefits of Unfiltered Browsing
With restrictions disabled, you can freely watch:
- Explicit music videos like WAP by Cardi B
- Hot sauce challenges full of profanity
- Graphic true crime documentaries
- YouTube stars pushing boundaries with shock humor
The Risks of No Limits
However, completely removing limits opens the floodgates to:
- Pornographic material
- Violent extremist recruiting videos
- Disturbing shock content
- Promotion of dangerous/illegal activity
- Manipulative kids‘ videos
Weigh your personal levels of risk tolerance and responsibility before allowing unfiltered access.
Troubleshooting Problems with Restrictions
If you can‘t toggle Restricted Mode on/off, try:
- Clearing your browser cache and cookies
- Temporarily disabling ad blockers
- Reinstalling the YouTube app
- Checking your account permissions
Or feel free to reach out for one-on-one troubleshooting help! I have 3+ years experience customizing age restrictions.
Now you have the power to access all age-restricted YouTube content. Remember, with great power comes great responsibility! Set age-appropriate limitations for younger family members.
I‘m also happy to guide you through creating secondary restricted accounts for kids. Click here to schedule a quick call to set up parental controls across devices.
The internet remains the wild wild west – arm yourself with information to navigate it safely!
