Spotify Introduces Managed Kids Accounts Without Subscription
Spotify now offers managed kids accounts for users without a subscription, expanding access to youth protection features previously limited to the Premium Family plan. Here's how to set it up.
Spotify has recently made a significant change by allowing users to create managed kids accounts without needing to subscribe to the costly Family plan. This update comes in response to feedback from frustrated parents looking for ways to provide a safe listening environment for their children.
Previously, the youth protection features were exclusive to subscribers of the Premium Family plan, which costs €22 per month. Now, these managed accounts are available to users of the free version of the music streaming service, making it more accessible.
According to a blog announcement, the feature is currently available in several countries, including Germany, the USA, the UK, Australia, France, and the Netherlands, with plans to expand to other regions such as Canada. In some areas, like Argentina, Denmark, and Sweden, this functionality has been in place since May.
How Managed Accounts Work
For children under 13, a managed account provides a unique Spotify profile, which parents set up and control. Kids can create their own playlists and receive personalized music recommendations. They will also have a separate "Wrapped" year-in-review, distinct from their parents' listening habits. However, these accounts are limited to music only, excluding podcasts and audiobooks.
Importantly, parents can use the youth protection settings to determine which content their children can access. Songs labeled as "explicit" are automatically blocked, and parents have the option to block specific artists or tracks. Additionally, videos and animated Canvas backgrounds—short video sequences that play during songs—are disabled by default for safety. These kids accounts are not searchable by others and do not have access to features like direct messaging.
The organization jugendschutz.net had previously criticized Spotify for hiding essential protection features behind costly subscription tiers. By extending these features to the free tier, Spotify has removed this barrier, although it’s worth noting that kids on the free plan will still encounter ads. For an ad-free experience, the Premium Family subscription remains necessary.
