Starting today, Spotify users in several countries can create a managed account for their child without a Premium subscription. Here are the details.
With Spotify’s managed accounts, parents can filter explicit content, block specific artists or songs, turn off videos, and keep their child’s listening history separate from their own recommendations and, perhaps more importantly to many parents, Spotify Wrapped.
Spotify says the ability to create a free managed account will initially be available in the U.S., the U.K., Australia, France, Germany, and the Netherlands, with more countries expected to follow soon across Europe, Latin America, and beyond.
To set up a managed account, parents can tap on “Add account” from the side drawer on Spotify’s home page, and then select “Add a child under 13.” From there, a splash screen lists the available features and controls, and then parents can choose whether to allow explicit content (filtering is enabled by default) or videos and Canvas (filtering is turned off by default).
Managed profiles are private and unsearchable, use avatars instead of uploaded profile photos, and do not support messaging. Children still get personalized playlists such as Daylist and Discover Weekly, along with their own Spotify Wrapped, separate from the parent or guardian’s account.
Spotify also says that managed accounts do not require kids to have their own phones. Once a managed account gets added to the main account, families can easily switch between accounts on a shared device, with the parent or guardian’s account protected by a PIN.
Spotify says managed accounts are for music only, which means kids won’t be able to access other content, such as podcasts and audiobooks. The company adds that it is always listening to feedback from parents and guardians to help improve managed accounts.
Finally, managed accounts can be converted into regular Spotify accounts once children reach the minimum age in their country. Parents must approve the change until the user turns 18, at which point they can make the switch themselves.
To learn more about Spotify’s managed accounts, follow this link.
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