Is YouTube Kids Safe? Insights at Your Child's Favorite App
YouTube is a go-to platform for people who love watching videos. There is an endless number of channels, so there is never-ending content for people. Ranging from educational to fashion content and politics, there are videos for everyone. For the same reason, kids watch YouTube too, but they are at a risk of being exposed to adult content.
For this reason, YouTube has launched the kid's version, which has only kids-friendly videos. There are safety features as well, so your kids and their young minds won't be influenced by negativity. However, parents still have questions and wonder, “Is Kids YouTube safe?” If you are in the same boat, we are sharing the answers and how safe is YouTube Kids!
Part 1. What Is YouTube Kids?
This is a kid-friendly version of YouTube, which has been designed for kids. In particular, it's suitable for kids ranging from four years old to twelve years old. With this version, the kids can easily watch video content, such as educational videos, TV shows, and music.
With this version, you can create different user profiles for every kid using YouTube Kids. The parents have the option to choose age-based settings for every profile, such as;
- Preschool (Ages 4 and under)
- Young (Ages 5–8)
- Older (Ages 9–12)
The age-based settings will make sure that your kid won't be able to access inappropriate content. However, you must remember that there might be slips. You can easily access it through a web browser or download the app. This app is available for desktops as well as smartphone apps. There is also a timer setting, so you can set up a time limit.
Part 2. Is YouTube Kids Safe for Kids to Use?
Common Sense Media did a study that showed that 27% of the videos that kids aged eight and under watch are actually made for older audiences. The most common type of bad material was violence. Also, parents should know that YouTube Kids is paid for by ads.
There's no way to make sure that all of the content on YouTube Kids is safe or suitable, but YouTube has made a lot of progress in improving its content filters, the way that content providers approve videos for kids, and the parental controls that are in place. All of these things help make YouTube Kids a safe spot for kids to watch videos. So, let's check them out!
Limit Your Screen Time and Stick To It
Apps and streaming services are made to be addicting, and most kids don't know how to control themselves yet. Make them happen with YouTube Kids' built-in time limits or parental control apps. In addition, kids younger than five shouldn't use screens at all unless it's for video calls with family. It depends on the child, but for kids five and up, 15 to 30 minutes is usually enough. For kids eight and up, an hour is the most time they should spend in front of a computer.
Change The Mode To "Approved Content Only"
You can be sure that your kids can only watch videos, channels, or collections that you have personally chosen and accepted. Searching is also blocked. You can choose your child's material level on YouTube Kids based on their age.
Turn Off Movies That You Don't Like
You can also "recommend" videos that you like that they have already seen and want to watch again. In addition, you can open the settings and set your preferences so the kids see only appropriate content.
Download Videos & Watch Together
If your kids are young, make sure you watch TV with them or make sure they watch videos in a shared area where you can see what they're going through. You can find out what your kids like and keep up with YouTube trends like ASMR, mukbang, and shopping hauls.
You will be better prepared to start fun talks and know what to do if something goes wrong if you follow this plan. If you can't watch with them, look at what they've watched before to get an idea of what kinds of videos they like.
Part 3. Will YouTube Kids Contain Inappropriate Content for Children?
Some movies may look like they're for kids, but they're not. You may have heard of them or seen them. People from kids' TV shows like Caillou or Peppa Pig may be in these videos, or they may use cartoon figures like cars and trucks. The videos start out normally and have names that make them sound like they would be good for kids, but then they get weird and even very disturbing.
People who make these videos, which have been called "YouTube Poop," know how to trick the algorithm by using tags, which are pieces of code that help Google organize material. The main YouTube channel has more disturbing videos than any other channel. YouTube knows this is a problem and is working to fix it by adding more human reviewers. But there have been a few instances of upsetting videos showing up in the kids' app, including a well-known case of "suicide instructions" being cut into a cartoon video.
You may also like: How to Block YouTube Inappropriate Content
Part 4. YouTube Kids' Safety Features
YouTube has changed some of its rules to try to make the app better. These include adding parental controls, video groups, and the ability to turn off search. The company said that videos that are flagged on the main YouTube app will instantly be blocked from the Kids app because they are inappropriate for kids.
Also, because they won't be able to put ads on age-restricted content, the people who make some of this weird content will have no reason to make it. Google added human monitors to look over flagged content and actively seek out disturbing content after worries were raised about disturbing videos getting through the algorithm. This should really help a lot.
Not to forget, the fact that the app works with content companies like PBS and Kidzbop makes it even safer. Parents should still keep an eye on things and use the product's built-in tools to make sure their kids have a fun and safe time.
Part 5. What Can I Do If My Child Sees Offensive Content?
When watching any platform that has user-generated content, it's best to keep a close eye on it and watch it together if you can. You can block an upsetting video so that it doesn't show up again. What you can also do is report it. This lets YouTube know about the inappropriate material so that their team can look it over and remove it if necessary. These ideas will help your kids feel better if the things they see scare them. So, if you were wondering, “Is YouTube Kids safe for your little one?” we are sure you have got an answer now.
Extra Tips: Using AirDroid Parental Control for Better Safety
At this point, the parents must be wondering how they can increase the safety and privacy of kids, while they watch videos on YouTube Kids. For this purpose, you can get help from the AirDroid Parental Control app. Some of its relevant features include the following;
Set Time Limits
AirDroid Parental Control often allows you to set time limits for app usage. This means that you can allocate a specific amount of time for your child to use YouTube Kids each day.
Content Monitoring
AirDroid offers social content monitoring options. This means that you can set up keywords to monitor if your child searches for inappropriate content on YouTube or other social media platforms.
Monitor App Usage
Another option is to use AirDroid Parental Control to monitor your child's device usage. For instance, you can check reports and usage statistics to ensure your child is following the rules and isn't watching something inappropriate.
Final Words
At this point, you must have an answer to "How Safe Is YouTube Kids ?" You must remember that there won't be a 100% guarantee that your little one won't watch any inappropriate content, such as violence and nudity. However, in most cases, YouTube Kids is a far better choice than other video-sharing platforms if you use parental controls and kid profiles.
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