YouTube CEO Neal Mohan reveals he keeps a close watch on his kids’ social media use and why you should too

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YouTube is one of the most popular apps in the world, especially among children and teenagers. It is often the first place young people go to watch videos, follow creators, or simply pass time. But even the man who runs YouTube says that when it comes to kids and screens, freedom without limits is not a good idea.

Neal Mohan, the CEO of YouTube, recently spoke about how closely he monitors his own children’s use of social media. Mohan, who took over the role in 2023 and was just named Time’s 2025 CEO of the Year, said that screen time rules are very much part of daily life in his household.

In an interview shared by Time Magazine, Mohan said he and his wife place clear limits on how much time their children spend on YouTube and other platforms. On weekdays, the rules are stricter. On weekends, they loosen up a bit. He was quick to admit that they do not always get it right, but said the guiding idea is simple. Everything works better in moderation.

Mohan has three children, two sons and a daughter, and says his approach is shaped by the growing evidence that too much time online can hurt young people. Experts have been warning for years that excessive screen use can affect mental health, sleep, focus, and emotional development.

Jonathan Haidt, a professor at New York University and author of the book The Anxious Generation, has been one of the loudest voices on the issue. He believes children should not have smartphones before the age of 14 and should stay off social media until at least 16. His reasoning is that smartphones are not just phones. They open the door to constant outside influence, much of it unsupervised.

Governments are starting to take note as well. Australia recently became the first country to block children under 16 from using major social media platforms. Public support for the move was strong, though the rollout has faced challenges.

Mohan says that as the head of YouTube, he feels a deep responsibility toward young users and their families. He believes platforms must give parents better tools to decide what works for their homes. YouTube Kids, which launched in 2015, was built with that goal in mind.

He is not alone in this thinking. Former YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki limited her children’s time on the app and only allowed them to use YouTube Kids. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates delayed giving his children phones until they were teenagers. Mark Cuban went even further, actively monitoring and shutting off app access when needed.

The message from tech leaders is surprisingly consistent. If the people who build and run these platforms are keeping a close watch on their own kids, parents everywhere may want to do the same.