Spotify is taking a step in line with other tech giants by introducing in-app parental controls specifically designed for younger listeners under the age of 13. Announced on Friday, this new feature called “managed accounts” will allow parents and guardians to oversee their children’s accounts, initially launching as a pilot program in select markets like Denmark, New Zealand, and Sweden. The managed accounts will be available to those on a Spotify Family plan, offering a range of control options aimed at safeguarding younger users.

Once the feature is activated, parents will be able to exert more control over what content their children can access. They will have the ability to block certain videos, songs, or artists, and even disable Canvas videos — Spotify’s looping visual content that accompanies music playback. This feature provides parents with the flexibility to determine whether their child can listen to specific tracks or artists, which gives them more tailored control over the content without pushing their kids to use Spotify Kids, the platform’s more restricted, kid-focused version.

This development mirrors similar moves by other major tech companies like TikTok, Meta, YouTube, and Snap, which have also introduced parental control options in response to growing regulatory pressure. These companies are under increasing scrutiny to better protect younger users and provide parents with more influence over their children’s online experiences. Streaming platforms such as Netflix, Max, and Hulu already offer parental controls, and Spotify’s decision reflects the trend toward more responsible content management.

While Spotify is primarily a music and podcast streaming platform rather than a video or social media service, the vast array of content available on it can sometimes be inappropriate for younger audiences. Parents who currently share their account with their children might be encouraged to switch to a Family plan, where each family member will have their own individual recommendations and preferences. This would keep their personal listening habits separate from their children’s, ensuring a cleaner end-of-year Wrapped report – Spotify’s feature that compiles users’ top music choices annually.

Parents can easily access the new controls through Spotify’s Accounts page. From there, they will find the option to “Add a listener aged under 13” (or a similar version depending on the country) and can follow the prompts to set up restrictions and manage their child’s account.