Google LLC today announced some new features for its search engine and also for YouTube in an attempt to make children’s online experience safer.

In a blog post today, the company said it will now give users under the age of 18 the ability to request any images of themselves be hidden from search results. Although kids might now always choose that option, parents can now step in and ask for the photos to be hidden. Google said it won’t mean an image no longer exists online, but it will be hard to find.

On top of that, Google said it will now turn off location history for users under the age of 18 and there won’t be an option for them to turn it back on. Personalized ads for younger viewers will also go, at least if they are based on age, gender or interests. Ads will now be based purely on searches.

In a separate blog post, YouTube said that from now on users aged 13 to 17 will by default have their settings changed to private. That means their uploads will be seen only by them and the people they choose to see the content.

Younger creators can change their settings to public, but when they do so, they will receive a warning as to who will now see their content. As for burgeoning YouTube addicts of that age group, they will now by default receive reminders that it’s perhaps time to take a break or go to bed. To help with overconsumption problems, young viewers will also have auto-play turned off by default. Theoe settings can be changed, though.

There will be more control for parents when it comes to YouTube Kids as well. Parents can choose to lock auto-play if they think their child is overdosing on content. While YouTube Kids has never allowed product placement content, it will now start removing content on that platform that “directly encourages children to spend money.”

The move is in line with the growing concern that online apps might not be the best thing for children at times. Notably, Facebook Inc.-owned Instagram has been in the firing line in this regard. Google says the changes aren’t only the result of political pressure.

“While some of these updates directly address upcoming regulations, we’ve gone beyond what’s required by law to protect teens on Google and YouTube,” a Google spokesperson told TechCrunch. “Many of these changes also extend beyond any single current or upcoming regulation. We’re looking at ways to develop consistent product experiences and user controls for kids and teens globally.”

Photo: Ralston Smith/Unsplash