Quick answer
Viewers: if comments, the bell or the miniplayer are missing on a video, it’s probably set as made for kids; that’s the creator’s or YouTube’s setting, not your app. Creators: set your audience in YouTube Studio > Settings > Channel > Advanced settings > Audience, or per video in Content > select > Edit > Audience. “Set to made for kids” by YouTube? Hover over it in Content > Appeal.
Does this match what you see?
- Comments are turned off on a video, and you can’t see why.
- There’s no notification bell or Save option.
- The video won’t play in the miniplayer.
- YouTube Studio shows “Set to made for kids”.
Computer (browser)iPhone & iPadAndroid
Based on YouTube Help’s “Set your channel or video’s audience” (computer) and “Check if your video’s audience is set as made for kids” pages, found by searching support.google.com and read on November 6, 2026. Setup steps are the computer steps. Not legal advice.
Why this happens: the possible causes
What “made for kids” turns off, according to YouTube (grouped by us).
| Viewers lose | Creators lose |
|---|---|
| Comments, live chat | Channel memberships, Super Chat, Super Stickers |
| Notification bell | Cards, end screens, watermarks |
| Miniplayer playback, autoplay on Home | Merchandise, ticketing, Donate button |
| Save to playlist and Watch later | Personalized ads (so revenue may drop) |
| Likes and dislikes on YouTube Music | Live chat donations |
- Creator set itCheck this first
YouTube says creators must set the audience for their channel or each video.
- YouTube set itPossible
YouTube says it may set the audience if a creator hasn’t, or override it in cases of error or abuse.
Try these 60-second checks first
- Our note: as a viewer, nothing on your side can turn these features back on.
- Creators: check the video’s Restrictions in YouTube Studio.
How to fix it, step by step
Work through these in order. They start with the quickest, safest checks and only move to steps that sign you out or remove data later.
Fix 1: Creators: set your channel or video audience
YouTube says the channel setting applies to existing and future videos, and a video’s own setting overrides it.
Computer (browser)
- Channel: sign in to studio.youtube.com > Settings > Channel > Advanced settings. Under Audience, choose made for kids, not made for kids, or review each video, then Save.
- While uploading: on the Basic info tab, choose the option under Audience.
- Existing videos: Content > select videos > Edit > Audience, choose, then Update videos.
- Live streams: set it in the Live Control Room (not classic tools); for archived streams use Content > Live > Edit > Audience.
YouTube says it uses machine learning to flag content clearly aimed at young audiences, but you shouldn’t rely on it to set your audience for you.
Did it work? Your videos show the audience you chose.
Did Fix 1 solve it?
Great, you fixed it with Fix 1. Tell us it worked, or bookmark this page in case it happens again.
Fix 2: Find which videos are made for kids
YouTube Studio can filter videos by their audience setting.
Computer (browser)
- In YouTube Studio, select Content.
- Click Filter > Made for kids, and choose: Made for kids (set by you), Set to made for kids (by YouTube), Not made for kids, or Not set.
Did it work? You can see which videos have which setting.
Did Fix 2 solve it?
Great, you fixed it with Fix 2. Tell us it worked, or bookmark this page in case it happens again.
Why comments, the bell and the miniplayer disappear
If a video or channel is made for kids, YouTube turns off the features in the table above for everyone. On a channel set as made for kids, YouTube also removes channel memberships, the notification bell, Posts and Ask Studio. Missing notifications from a kids channel? That’s expected: see YouTube notifications. YouTube also says made-for-kids videos are more likely to be recommended alongside other kids’ videos.
Appeal “Set to made for kids”
YouTube says if you haven’t set an audience, it may set one for you, and you can usually still change it. If you already set one and YouTube detects error or abuse, the video shows “Set to made for kids”, and you can’t change it; you can only appeal.
- Computer: YouTube Studio > Content > open the video, hover over Set to made for kids > Appeal, give a reason > Submit.
- Phone: YouTube Studio app > Menu > Videos > Uploads tab > the video > Set to Made for kids under Restrictions > Appeal > reason > Submit.
YouTube emails you the result. If it succeeds, the setting is removed. Each video can only be appealed once.
How to know it worked
- Your audience settings are accurate, and you know why features are missing.
Still not working? Your next steps
- Parent looking for controls? See YouTube parental controls. Comments missing for another reason? See YouTube comments not showing.
Official help routes
SocialAppFix can’t see or change your account. For account decisions, recovery and appeals, only the platform’s own tools can help. These links go to the official sites.
Frequently asked questions
Why are comments turned off on a YouTube video for kids?
YouTube turns off comments on videos set as made for kids, along with the notification bell, miniplayer and Save to playlist.
Can I change a video YouTube set to made for kids?
Not directly. YouTube says you can appeal “Set to made for kids” once per video.
Why does YouTube require made for kids settings?
YouTube says creators must set their audience to comply with COPPA and other laws, as part of a settlement with the US FTC and New York Attorney General.
Does made for kids reduce revenue?
YouTube says personalized ads aren’t shown on kids content, which may reduce revenue for some creators.
Did this solve your problem?
Your answer stays in your browser — nothing is sent or stored. The “tell us” link opens your own email app.
Out of date or didn’t work? Email us — never include passwords or codes.
Sources and how we checked this guide
We base steps on the platforms’ own help pages and the phone makers’ official guides. Menu names change often and can differ by device, app version and region. Where a platform page could not be independently read, we link it so you can check the current wording yourself.
- Set your channel or video’s audience (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Check if your video’s audience is set as made for kids (external site, opens in a new tab)
Last reviewed 6 November 2026 by the SocialAppFix editorial team against the sources above. Next scheduled review: 6 May 2027. How we write and review guides.
What changed
- 6 November 2026: First published.
SocialAppFix is an independent guide and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Google or YouTube. We never ask for passwords, login codes or payment to fix an account.