Spotify launches free parental-controlled accounts for children under 13

Spotify has expanded its managed accounts for children under 13 to its free tier, eliminating the need for a premium family subscription. The feature, originally introduced in 2024 for paid family plans, is now available to any Spotify subscriber at no additional cost.

Features and parental controls

The free managed accounts include robust parental controls. By default, explicit content, videos, and messaging are disabled. Parents can block specific artists or songs, and profiles are private—children use avatars instead of real photos. The accounts are limited to music streaming, excluding podcasts and videos, to foster a safer experience. Children can save favorites, create playlists, and receive tailored recommendations, including their own annual Wrapped summary. Source: Infobae The child's listening activity does not affect the parent's recommendations or algorithm. Source: El Español

Availability

The service launched in the United States, United Kingdom, France, Australia, Germany, and the Netherlands, with a phased expansion to Canada, New Zealand, and additional European and Latin American markets. According to Barry Nevin, Spotify's product director, the move "eliminates the economic barrier to accessing managed accounts" and aims to provide equitable access for families worldwide. Source: Infobae The expansion comes amid increasing regulatory pressure on tech companies to strengthen parental controls. Source: El Español