Parents in Indiana and Kentucky: You Might Be Eligible for $30M YouTube Settlement Payment
Were Your Kids Under 13 When They Watched YouTube? You Might Be Owed Money
When my daughter was little, I tried really hard to limit her screen time. That’s almost impossible in this day and age, but I gave it my best shot. When she did watch TV, I stuck with educational shows or ones that helped with emotional development.
She quickly learned that her favorite videos were all about toys. She loved watching influencers review new ones, crafters making tiny accessories, and other kids just playing.
I didn’t love it, but I was always close enough to make sure nothing sketchy was happening. And I noticed she became more creative in her independent play. She started making her own Barbie accessories and coming up with all kinds of new stories for her dolls.
Then came the “Disney kid” shows. You know the ones... parents working for their kids and that laugh track that makes you want to throw the remote? Yeah, we had to shut those down fast. I never thought I’d miss the toy videos, but here we are.
Indiana Mom Reflects on Bittersweetness of Letting Go of Her Daughter’s Childhood
Read More: Is It Hard to Let Go of Your Kids' Toys When They Grow Up?
Why Kids Who Watched YouTube Could Get a Check
I recently saw a TikTok saying that kids who watched YouTube while under 13 between July 1, 2013 and April 1, 2020 may be eligible for money from a $30 million class action settlement.
Plaintiffs alleged that Google and YouTube violated privacy laws by collecting personal data from children under 13. The plaintiffs in the case, Hubbard v. Google, claimed that YouTube tracked kids watching cartoons and other kid-friendly content to use for advertising in violation of privacy laws.
After a long legal fight, a judge ruled that Google knowingly “engaged in highly offensive conduct” by collecting that data. Google has agreed to pay $30 million to settle without admitting wrongdoing.
How to See If You Qualify
If your child was under 13 between July 2013 and April 2020 and watched YouTube, you could be entitled to a check.
To find out if you qualify, visit YouTubePrivacySettlement.com. Parents or guardians can fill out and sign the claim form on behalf of their child. The deadline to file is January 21, 2026, so there’s still plenty of time to submit a claim.
Don’t Expect a Huge Payout, But It’s Still Worth Checking
That $30 million will be split among everyone who files after attorney fees, so don’t expect a huge payday. But hey, free money is free money. And more importantly, big companies should have to pay when they break the law and violate your rights. I recently received a payout from the Facebook settlement for $36, and it paid for a couple of things I’d been wanting. So, it’s worth a few minutes to see if you or your child qualifies.
Chains That Are Closing or Have Closed Locations in 2025
Gallery Credit: Rob Carroll