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Cyber Expert Reviewer:
Reviewed on Dec 7, 2022
YouTube is the world's most popular video-streaming app. This app is fairly simple; post and watch videos. The content of YouTube videos is extensive, and can be related to anything from skateboarding to music videos, tutorials for makeup to instructional videos for sex or drug-taking, violent gaming or blatant pornography. Furthermore, it is important to note that YouTube comments are notoriously nasty, so it is wise to encourage your children not to engage with other people in the comments section of the videos.
YouTube can be used as a great learning tool and has a lot of interesting information, so turning on YouTube's built-in filtering (called YouTube Restricted Mode) and regular monitoring, will make the app safer for kids to use. With filters turned on, our experts recommend this app be used by young people 10 and up. YouTube for kids is a great alternative for younger kids.
There are many great personalities on YouTube that can act as positive role models for your children. Their content may range from art tips and tricks, to hair tutorials and from gaming strategies to TV show reviews. The best way to encourage positive use of YouTube is to engage in it with them. This way you can learn about the type of videos they are watching, help them manage who they subscribe to and share in the education process with them. If you are worried about the type of content they are interacting with, you are able to check their Watch History via their profile.
As YouTube content is so vast, it is hard to categorize it all as either harmful or not. Many YouTubers use swearing and edgy video ideas to connect with older viewers and as such, young users could be exposed to mature-age content. It is important to discuss with your child who they are subscribed to and what kinds of videos they hope to watch on YouTube.
The majority of YouTube videos are prefaced with a range of adverts. These tend to be tailored to the viewer but videos aimed at children have found to have inappropriate adverts attached to them. Furthermore, these adverts may encourage children to venture off of YouTube, to another site, which may prompt them to purchase things. Discuss with your child the importance of critical thinking when it comes to adverts and to be weary of how they are spending their money.
YouTube Kids is the child-friendly version of YouTube and allows for a much friendlier and safer experience on the app. For kids under 10, we recommend the use of YouTube Kids.
Kids love posting their own videos and creating their own content. This can open them up to both privacy risks, and also to the nasty commenters who are renowned on YouTube. If kids wants to post their own content, we recommend they set their videos to 'Unlisted' and send the link to their friends to watch the video. We also recommend their comments are disabled so their videos don't receive a host of negative comments.
YouTube is a free-to-download app - so if you see it pop up on your child's device you can rest assured knowing the app hasn't cost anything at the initial download. The concern however is the ability to subscribe to a premium version of the app. This is a monthly subscription costing $14.99 US per month. Children are often prompted to subscribe by YouTubers in the videos they are watching.
It is important for parents to have conversations with their children about the implications of subscribing to apps like YouTube. Turning in-app purchases off in your child's device's settings will prevent them from having the ability to subscribe at all.
YouTube have implemented many great safety features as they have evolved over time. They have also now implemented a 'Take a break' feature. This is super handy! You can go into your child's YouTube settings and turn on the 'Take a break' toggle. This will then give you the option to pick how often you want this feature to pop up. The reminder will pause the video until dismissed. The take a break reminder is “off” by default, so we recommend going into the settings on the app and toggling it over.
It is your responsibility just as much as your parents to stay on top of how much time you are spending on your device. Make sure you are taking regular breaks and spending time with your family and friends. It is easy to get carried away on YouTube, as there are so many videos out there!
Users should remember that YouTube is a public forum. They should keep in mind that when they comment on other videos or post videos of their own, this is adding to their digital footprint, and are posted on the internet for people to see. Consider how they are coming across online and if they are contributing positively to their digital footprint.
If someone is bothering you on YouTube, you are able to block them. You shouldn't have to put up with harassing behavior. This can be done by logging into your YouTube account, heading to the offending person's profile, selecting 'about', then the flag and finally, pressing 'block user'.
The Gold Standard: COPPA [Implemented globally, legally enforced only in the U.S.]
California: CCPA
U.K and Europe: GDPR-K
Australia: Online Safety Act 2021