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Despite what your child may claim, most parents have their reservations about YouTube and the inappropriate content with which it’s rife. That being said, the video sharing platform is ubiquitously unavoidable, and truth be told, it can be a great source of education and entertainment.
For parents who want to err on the side of caution (but don’t want to go cold turkey on the site), there’s YouTube Kids, which is a child-centered platform YouTube created exclusively for younger viewers.
“YouTube Kids features an extensive selection of educational and entertainment content which is more suitable for children than the general YouTube platform,” explains Lisa Strohman, a clinical psychologist and author of “Unplug: Raising Kids In A Technology Addicted World.” “Parents must understand both the advantages and potential threats which exist in this digital environment.”
Curious about YouTube for kids and want to know if it’s right for your family? Here, Strohman and others offer in-depth insight on the platform.
Key takeaways
- YouTube Kids is a safer, kid-friendly version of YouTube with parental controls and age-appropriate content.
- While it’s more secure than regular YouTube, it’s not perfect. It can still expose kids to content that doesn’t match their maturity level or values.
- Experts suggest active parental involvement for the safest YouTube Kids experience.
What is YouTube Kids?
Launched in 2015, YouTube Kids is a sort of younger-sibling version of YouTube, with featured content designed specifically for children between the ages of 4-12.
“It’s designed to narrow down the billions of videos — many of which are completely inappropriate for kids — of regular YouTube into a smaller, more curated platform that’s only filled with kid-friendly content,” explains Titania Jordan, chief marketing officer and chief parent officer of Bark Technologies. “However, what’s considered ‘kid-friendly’ varies depending on the content level you set for your child, as it’s separated out by age.”
The application allows kids to browse content independently while giving parents limited control features, adds Strohman.
What are the features of YouTube for kids?
YouTube Kids lets you create a much more “locked-down version of YouTube for kids,” explains Jordan, noting that when parents sign in with their account, they can:
- View what their child’s watched.
- Change the content level for their kid. (Preschool: 4 and under; Younger: 5-8; Older: 9-12).
- Turn off search.
- Turn off new searches and video views to recommend content.
On their dashboard, parents can also set the app to “Approved Content Only” mode, where kids only see videos they’ve personally vetted, explains Dev Nag, the CEO and founder of QueryPal.
The parental control dashboard also allows parents to:
- Block specific channels.
- Set screen time limits with a built-in timer that stops playback when time’s up.
Note: This is probably recommended if you’re looking for genuinely educational videos as opposed to simply “not inappropriate.” In the interest of journalism, I created an account for my 7-year-old (without restrictions) just to see what would come up. One of the first videos was “SpongeBob Working at the Krusty Krab for 4 Hours Straight.” And, yes, it’s a four-hour video.
Something else to keep in mind: The free version of YouTube Kids is ad-supported. However, you can remove ads with a YouTube Premium subscription.
And on a positive note, the interface of YouTube Kids is very kid-friendly, with large thumbnails and icons that pre-readers can likely navigate, and content organized into the categories: Shows, Music, Learning and Explore.
“YouTube Kids has a lot of content that children seek out, and while not all of it is bad, children shouldn’t forgo other healthy activities to binge watch videos instead.”
— Lynette Owens, founder, Trend Micro’s Internet Safety for Kids & Families
Is YouTube Kids safe?
Safer than YouTube? Yes. Safe in general? That’s debatable. “Generally speaking, I’d say it’s better than giving full access to regular YouTube,” Jordan says. “But YouTube Kids has plenty of things that may go against many family’s values and wishes.”
“YouTube definitely puts a lot of work into curating content, but there are still things like movie trailers, unboxing videos, Roblox videos and ads,” she continues. “I just searched ‘Lady Gaga’ and some of her videos came up on the profile I created for a 5-year-old.”
Nag agrees that while YouTube Kids is “unquestionably safer than regular YouTube,” it’s not 100% foolproof.
“When videos are flagged as inappropriate on main YouTube, they’re automatically age-restricted so they don’t appear in the Kids app,” he explains, noting that, even so, there have been instances where concerning videos have slipped through (like the infamous “Elsagate” controversy).
That said, YouTube has strengthened its moderation approaches, “combining algorithmic filtering with human review teams,” notes Nag.
Other ways YouTube Kids is safer than YouTube:
- No comment sections.
- No live chats.
- Content filtering removes the vast majority of violent, sexual or otherwise adult-themed videos.
- No algorithmic “rabbit hole” effect. This is where, on YouTube, “one Minecraft video can quickly lead to horror-themed parodies,” notes Nag.
YouTube for kids: Good or bad? Here’s what to keep in mind
Just because it has “kids” in the name, doesn’t mean you can be totally hands off when letting your child watch YouTube Kids. That said, when used in a mindful way (restrictions, limits and involvement), it can be quite safe.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
It’s not an alternative to other play. If YouTube Kids is your child’s screen time, so be it. But it shouldn’t take the place of hanging out with friends and being outside.
“YouTube Kids has a lot of content that children seek out, and while not all of it is bad, children shouldn’t forgo other healthy activities to binge watch videos instead,” notes Lynette Owens, founder of Trend Micro’s Internet Safety for Kids & Families.
There’s consumer data collection. “Like many other advertising-supported platforms, consumer data-collection is a reality we all have to contend with,” Owens continues. “While there are limits to what YouTube can collect on children under 13, there is still a lot of information we may be inadvertently giving away such as viewing habits, content searches and location that could be used by YouTube, their advertisers, or a cybercriminal.”
Settings can be circumvented. Kids — even little ones — are much more savvy than we often think. “If your child knows your Google account password, they might be able to bypass your settings,” notes Jordan.
Unsuitable content is bound to slip through. “I’ve heard from countless parents that the auto-play on YouTube Kids will eventually start showing some inappropriate content,” says Jordan. “This proves that nothing is completely safe on these algorithm-driven platforms that only want to keep your child’s eyes glued to the screen.”
“If your child knows your Google account password, they might be able to bypass your settings.”
— Titania Jordan, chief marketing officer and chief parent officer, Bark Technologies
Safety tips for YouTube Kids
To get the safest experience on YouTube Kids, here’s what our experts suggest:
Use parental controls. These can be used in a number of ways, including setting your child’s age group and blocking anything you deem inappropriate.
Check kids’ watch history. “Even though content is curated, parents should check their child’s watching activities frequently because it ensures their safety,” says Strohman.
Set time limits. Another thing Strohman deems “crucial,” as kids tend to lose track of time while watching videos.
Joint watch. While, yes, parents can get some things done while their kids are watching YouTube, it’s important, Jordan notes, to watch together sometimes so you can see what pops up and what kids are being exposed to.
A final expert tip about YouTube for kids
YouTube can often be associated with fear and screen time addictions, but the truth is, there is some genuinely good content on YouTube Kids, including PBS Kids, National Geographic Kids and StoryBots.
“While these series are helpful,” Owens notes, “it’s important to remember that simply choosing good content isn’t enough. Parents should engage with what their children watch, using these videos as opportunities to discuss lessons or themes.”
“Ultimately,” she continues, “parents should see these videos as supplements to their own guidance, reinforcing the values and skills they want their children to develop”.
