New Delhi: YouTube is among the most widely used apps in the world, especially for children and teenagers. For many young users, it is the first stop for watching videos, following creators, or simply passing time. Yet even the person in charge of YouTube believes that giving children complete freedom with screens is not a good idea.
Neal Mohan, YouTube’s CEO, has spoken openly about how he manages his own children’s screen habits. Mohan took over as CEO in 2023 and was recently named Time magazine’s 2025 CEO of the Year. In an interview with Time, he said that screen time rules are a normal part of daily life in his home. According to Mohan, he and his wife set clear limits on how much time their children can spend on YouTube and other social media platforms.
YouTube CEO Supports Screen Time Limits
The rules vary depending on the day. On weekdays, screen time is tightly controlled. On weekends, the limits are relaxed slightly. Mohan admitted that they do not always handle it perfectly, but the main idea remains the same, balance matters. He believes that moderation is key when it comes to children and digital content.
Jonathan Haidt, a professor at New York University and author of The Anxious Generation. Haidt argues that children should not have smartphones before the age of 14 and should avoid social media until at least 16. His concern is that smartphones are more than communication tools. Governments are also beginning to respond to these concerns. Australia recently became the first country to ban children under 16 from accessing major social media platforms. While the decision received strong public support, putting the rules into practice has not been easy.
Tech leaders limit their own kids’ screen time
As the head of YouTube, Mohan says he feels responsible for the safety and wellbeing of young users. He believes tech companies must give parents better tools to control what their children watch and how long they stay online. YouTube Kids, launched in 2015, was created with this purpose in mind.
Mohan’s views are not unusual among tech leaders. Former YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki limited her children’s access to the platform and only allowed YouTube Kids. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates delayed giving phones to his children until their teenage years. Businessman Mark Cuban closely monitored his children’s app use and shut off access when needed.
The pattern is clear. Many of the people who build and lead major tech platforms do not give their own children unlimited access. That alone may be reason enough for parents to think carefully about screen time at home.