Neal Mohan, TIME’s 2025 CEO of the Year, considers himself the “mayor of YouTube.” At “A Year in TIME,” a New York City event held on December 10 to honor Mohan and other Leaders of the Year—such as Leonardo DiCaprio and A’ja Wilson—Mohan sat down with TIME’s Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs to discuss YouTube’s influence on culture and political dialogue, its connection to creators and children, and Mohan’s vision for the platform’s future.
“When we come to work at YouTube, we don’t focus on competing with other streaming or feed platforms,” Mohan told Jacobs. “Our task is to create the stage where incredible creators and content producers do what they do daily.” Creators are the heart of the platform, which is used by over two billion people. Google reports that more than 500 hours of content are uploaded every minute.
Jacobs asked Mohan how he would describe YouTube’s evolution to someone from 2006 (the platform is marking its 20th anniversary this year). “It’s the daily setting of the cultural pulse,” Mohan responded. “No matter where you are, if you’re a young person unlocking your phone, you’re accessing the forefront of culture.” Mohan emphasized that the platform’s adaptability is key to its cultural dominance. “What’s remarkable about YouTube is that if you have a story to share, you can do it via a 15-second short, a 15-minute video, a 15-hour live stream—or anything in between.”
When asked if he believed Hollywood had issues with platforms like YouTube, Mohan noted that media companies are among the largest creators on the site, managing dozens (and sometimes hundreds) of channels. “A huge portion of the fan engagement around their franchises occurs on YouTube, and they’re aware of it,” he said. “They tell me that repeatedly.”
Jacobs mentioned that YouTube paid over $20 million to a trust constructing the White House ballroom to resolve a lawsuit with President Donald Trump, and inquired how Mohan justified the decision to staff and creators. “Our role is to keep fulfilling YouTube’s core promise,” he said. “Our mission is to give everyone a voice and show them the world. I believe anything that hinders this mission can be a distraction. So finding a way to support what I hope is a positive cause and moving past it was truly the best approach we could take. And that’s exactly what we did.”
When asked if the Trump Administration had pressured him to censor specific comments, Mohan stated, “with millions of people posting content daily, we’re naturally a key part of public discourse. I acknowledge that responsibility.” He noted the company collaborates with governments globally, yet he sees it as his duty to ensure YouTube upholds its original commitment: being an open platform for free expression.
Jacobs referenced a recent study indicating that about 1 in 5 U.S. teens are on either YouTube or TikTok “almost constantly,” and asked if Mohan was concerned about the impact of such heavy engagement on children.
“As I mentioned, responsibility is key,” Mohan said. “The most critical area of responsibility for us is toward young people.” He highlighted that YouTube was the first platform to launch a dedicated kids app, 10 years ago. Personally, he and his wife aim to restrict their three children’s time on platforms like YouTube. “The most effective step we can take,” he said, “is to make it simple for parents to manage [the platform] for their children, in a manner that fits their family’s needs.”
When asked about the platform’s future, Mohan said that while technology will alter how content is created and consumed, its core will endure. “YouTube’s fundamental nature will remain largely as it is today,” Mohan said. “What makes YouTube special is that if you’re a creative individual with an idea, no one can tell you you don’t look the part, are the wrong gender, or come from the wrong region. If you have something incredible to share, you can come to YouTube and do so—and that won’t change.”
A Year in TIME was presented by Rolex, American Family Insurance, Serum Institute of India, La Croix, and The Macallan.
