Spotify Introduces Parental Controls for Kids

Spotify has joined the ranks of other tech giants like TikTok, Meta, Snap, and YouTube by introducing parental controls for young listeners under the age of 13. The feature, dubbed "managed accounts," is currently in a pilot phase and available to parents on a Family plan in select markets like Denmark, New Zealand, and Sweden.

How Spotify's Parental Controls Work

These new parental controls allow parents to manage the accounts of young listeners within their family plan. They can prevent access to explicit content, including videos, Canvas videos, and even specific artists or tracks.

• Parents can block access to all explicit content labeled as such.
• They can also manually block specific artists or tracks, giving them granular control over their children's music choices.
• This feature provides a middle ground between the fully-featured Spotify app and the more restrictive Spotify Kids app, designed specifically for younger children.

Spotify's Move Towards Family-Friendly Features

Spotify's introduction of parental controls aligns with the increasing pressure from regulators on Big Tech companies to provide more control over how children use their platforms. Other streaming services like Netflix, Max, and Hulu have already implemented similar features, acknowledging the need for parental guidance in the digital realm.

• Spotify, while primarily a music streaming service, also offers a diverse range of content, some of which may be inappropriate for younger listeners.
• The new controls aim to address this by allowing parents to tailor their children's Spotify experience to their age and maturity level.

Benefits of Managed Accounts

Beyond offering parental control, Spotify's managed accounts have additional benefits for families using the service:

• Parents can ensure that their children's musical preferences are not influenced by their own, leading to more personalized recommendations for each individual user.
• This separation of accounts also ensures that Spotify's end-of-year Wrapped results accurately reflect the listening habits of each individual family member.

How to Access Spotify's Parental Controls

Parents can access the new parental control features through the Accounts page within the Spotify app. They can select the option to "Add a listener aged under 13" and follow the on-screen instructions to set up the managed account.

Spotify's Continued Evolution

With the introduction of parental controls, Spotify demonstrates its commitment to evolving its platform to meet the needs of a wider audience, including families. This move showcases the growing importance of responsible content management and parental control within the digital landscape.

• Spotify's parental controls are a significant step towards creating a safer and more age-appropriate environment for young listeners.
• As a music streaming service, Spotify's embrace of family-friendly features signifies a shift in its strategy, potentially attracting a wider user base and expanding its appeal to families.