Our 11-year-old loves YouTube. This hardly makes him unique, even in the family. I use it, his mum uses it, his much older siblings use it. It’s been a goldmine, from the how-to-draw channels that helped us through lockdown to the DIY videos that inform various household projects.
There’s no question that he uses it very differently than I do. For him, it’s entertainment rather than information. His favourite genres include Minecraft analyses, animal documentaries, and size comparisons between different versions of Godzilla. He recently became fascinated by the monsters of Trevor Henderson, a Canadian horror artist whose work is genuinely disturbing, but it turns out that he actively avoids the original art. He prefers other people’s creepy-cute animations based on the Henderson art, which, weirdly enough, is a thriving digital ecosystem.
Horrors are out there: “Cartoon Cat in his Mall”, by Canadian horror artist Trevor Henderson. Credit: Instagram
As much as he enjoys YouTube, he doesn’t get to use it a lot – less than half an hour a day on average – and it’s always on an iPad with parental controls. Perhaps because of the illusion of safety created by those controls, and perhaps because of my own innocuous experiences, I’ve never been too concerned about him spending time on the platform.
Australia’s Online Safety Chief Raises Concerns
So I was surprised when Julie Inman Grant, Australia’s online safety chief, recommended that YouTube be added to the list of social media platforms banned for anyone under 16. At first, the idea seemed not just absurd and unenforceable, given that you can access it without an account from any browser, but also unnecessary. Now, I’m not so sure.
The announcement comes as part of a broader discussion about the safety of children online. With the rise of digital content consumption among younger audiences, concerns about inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and data privacy have become more pronounced. YouTube, with its vast array of content, is at the center of this debate.
Understanding the Risks
Experts in child psychology and digital safety have long warned about the potential dangers lurking on platforms like YouTube. While the site offers a wealth of educational and entertaining content, it also hosts videos that may not be suitable for children. The platform’s algorithm can sometimes lead young viewers down a rabbit hole of content that parents might find objectionable.
According to a study by Common Sense Media, a nonprofit organization focused on helping kids thrive in a world of media and technology, children as young as eight are spending an average of 48 minutes a day on YouTube. The study highlights the need for greater vigilance and parental involvement in monitoring what children are watching.
“The digital world is a double-edged sword,” says Dr. Lisa Guernsey, an expert in children’s media use. “While it can be a source of learning and creativity, it also requires careful navigation to avoid potential pitfalls.”
Parental Controls: A False Sense of Security?
Many parents, like myself, rely on parental controls to safeguard their children from inappropriate content. However, these controls are not foolproof. They can create a false sense of security, leading parents to believe their children are protected when they might still be exposed to harmful material.
Moreover, the ease of accessing YouTube without an account complicates efforts to restrict its use. This raises questions about the feasibility of enforcing age restrictions on such platforms and whether alternative measures, such as enhanced content filtering and educational initiatives, might be more effective.
Looking Ahead: Balancing Safety and Accessibility
The debate over YouTube’s safety for children is unlikely to be resolved quickly. As technology continues to evolve, so too will the challenges of ensuring a safe online environment for young users. Policymakers, educators, and tech companies must collaborate to develop solutions that balance safety with accessibility.
For parents, the key lies in staying informed and engaged. Encouraging open conversations about online experiences and setting clear boundaries can help children navigate the digital landscape more safely.
As we move forward, it remains crucial to ask whether the benefits of platforms like YouTube outweigh the risks for young users. While the answer may vary for each family, the discussion itself is a vital step in addressing the complexities of raising children in the digital age.
