How to Monitor Your Child's YouTube Comment History

YouTube's policy is that children whose YouTube accounts indicate they are under 13 years old cannot access comments. But kids will grow up, and when they turn 13, they are allowed to comment on YouTube videos. As parents, it's necessary to check your child's comments to see if they leave something inappropriate, rude, or offensive, or even interact with strangers in the comments.

In this post, we'll show you how to see your child's comment history on YouTube and delete it if there is something wrong!

How to Monitor Your Child's YouTube Comment History

YouTube allows users to view and edit their comments as well as an option to delete the comments. This helps parents to monitor their kid's YouTube comment history with ease. Read below to learn how to check YouTube comment history on the YouTube website and app.

Watching YouTube Comment History on the YouTube Website  

Step 1. Sign in to the account that you want to check comments at YouTube.com.

Step 2. The three-lined hamburger icon is in the upper left corner of the page. Click on it and then click on 'History.'

Step 3. Choose 'Comments' from the menu on the right side of the screen.

Step 4. You'll be taken to your Comment History. This is where you can see all the YouTube comments you have made from your account. To see any comment, just scroll up or down.

Note: The comment you left on a video that has since been taken or if YouTube deleted your comment for some other reason will not show up in your history.

Watching YouTube Comment History on Smartphones

Step 1. Open the YouTube app on your device.

Step 2. Go to 'Settings' and select 'Manage all history.'

Step 3. Select 'INTERACTIONS.'

Step 4. Choose 'Comments & replies.'

How to Handle Inappropriate Comments

Every child is different, and so are their online interactions. Therefore, a comment that may be innocuous in one context may be inappropriate in another. As a parent, you need to make your own decisions about what is and is not acceptable.

Generally, comments that include offensive language, personal attacks, hate speech, or explicit content are considered inappropriate. Also, if your child is talking to a stranger asking for personal details, that's another red flag.

Here's how you can manage any unsuitable comments:

Step 1. On the page where you can see the comment history, click 'Details.'

Step 2. Open the comment by tapping 'Commented on xxx.'

Step 3. On the opened page, scroll down to find the comment (usually shown at the first).

Step 4. Hover your mouse over that comment and you will see a three-dot button on the right side of the comment.

Step 5. Click on it and you can see 'Edit' and 'Delete.'

Step 6. Select one of the options for managing comments.

Why Monitoring Your Child's YouTube Comments Matters

As a parent, keeping an eye on your child's YouTube comment history isn't about invading their privacy but ensuring their online safety and mental health.

• By seeing the videos they comment on, you can learn more about their hobbies, interests, and the type of content they enjoy consuming.
• Regular monitoring can help you spot unhealthy online habits early, such as overuse, engaging in negative interactions, or being exposed to inappropriate content.
• Knowing about the videos they watch and the comments they make can provide great topics to talk about their online experiences and help you provide tailored advice for them.
• Monitoring can help keep your child safe by ensuring they're not sharing personal information or interacting with online strangers inappropriately.

What Else Can Parents Do If They Find Their Kids Made Unsuitable Comments 

Discovering that your child has made unsuitable comments on YouTube can be a wake-up call. Beyond simply deleting the comments, there are several steps you can take to address the situation effectively:

• Ask your child about the specific comment. Why did they write it? Do they understand why it's inappropriate? This conversation can provide valuable insights into their thought process and offer an opportunity to clarify misunderstandings.
• Teach them empathy. Explain how words can affect others. Encourage them to imagine how they would feel if they were on the receiving end of such comments.
• Discuss the possible consequences of posting improper comments online, such as hurting others' feelings, damaging their own reputation, or violating YouTube's community guidelines which could lead to a suspended account.
• Set up YouTube parental controls and use other third-party parental control apps to manage what content your child can view. This can help to minimize the chances of them encountering inappropriate content that might influence their behavior.