• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Tech Savvy Mama

Parenting in the Digital Age

  • About
    • Affiliations & Honors
    • Contributors
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
  • Technology
    • YouTube
    • Social Media
  • Lifestyle
    • Parenting
    • Travel
    • Safety
  • Education
  • Causes
  • Gift Guides
  • CONTACT
    • Work with Me

5 Ways to Keep Kids Safe on YouTube and YouTube Kids

March 1, 2019 By Leticia

Whenever YouTube or YouTube Kids is in the news for controversial content, we feel betrayed for trusting a brand that puts our kids at risk. This week, old news about the dangers of the Momo challenge resurfaced along with new reports of dangerous content on YouTube Kids masquerading as kid-friendly. My Facebook wall is filled with links to news articles and blog posts that express shock, outrage, and disgust from fellow parents who have vowed to delete YouTube Kids and never let their kids watch YouTube videos but is that really the solution? It’s better to take steps to keep kids safe on YouTube and YouTube Kids.

The honest truth is we love technology when it works like it’s supposed to. We appreciate tools, apps, solutions, and entertainment platforms that make our lives easier and more efficient, but we never should trust the technology behind YouTube and YouTube Kids to be the parents we should be.  

YouTube content

Our kids will always find stealthy ways to watch content we don’t want them to access. There will always be sketchy creators who game the algorithm to sneak content past the filters by hiding harmful and dangerous stuff in cartoons. There will always be platforms containing content you don’t agree with and deem inappropriate for your kids.

Instead of relying on technology, software, filters, and algorithms to be the primary gatekeeper, we need to take an active role by being the parents our kids need us to be through conversations that educate and empower and by setting our own limits when necessary.

Today’s controversy may be about content on YouTube or YouTube Kids but tomorrow there will be content on some other platform, social media channel, or elsewhere in the world that doesn’t sit right with you and challenges your parenting style. The news will continue to prey on our fears about our child’s safety and wellbeing. There will always be other parents who jump on the bandwagon, believing the current news cycle, rather than doing their own research. We’ll find ourselves having hard conversations with our kids far earlier than expected about topics that make us cringe but know we have to address for their health, safety, and well-being.

Photo by Patricia Prudente on Unsplash

Parenting isn’t easy and technology can make our roles easier or more difficult, but we shouldn’t trust it to do our job. Algorithms will never know our kids like we do. Filters can’t catch everything we don’t want our kids exposed to in life. Hot platforms, video games, and social media tools will shift.

So what do we do? It’s time that we stopped trusting YouTube and YouTube Kids to be the parents we’re supposed to be. Instead of banning your kids from watching videos, take an active role to educate and empower them about what is and isn’t appropriate content. Open lines of communication so they’ll feel comfortable talking to you about the scary stuff as well as the funny-to-them viral videos you could do without. 

Not sure where to start? Here are my 5 ways to keep kids safe on YouTube and YouTube Kids.

5 Ways to Keep Kids Safe on YouTube and YouTube Kids

Keep Kids Safe on YouTube and YouTube Kids

Know the Difference Between YouTube and YouTube Kids

Photo by Christian Wiediger on Unsplash

As a member of the YouTube Parent Panel for the past 4 years, I see a lot of misinformation shared among parents about YouTube versus YouTube Kids. YouTube has ALWAYS said this video platform is not for kids under the age of 13 and directed parents of younger ages to the free YouTube Kids app.

Since YouTube Kids was made available in 2014, YouTube has encouraged parents to download the YouTube Kids app for a more age appropriate experience for kids and tweens on iOS and Android devices. Unlike YouTube, YouTube Kids App features helpful tools for parents to make the viewing experience safer.

Parent Approved Content on YouTube Kids

But when I say safer, this doesn’t mean you download the app and hand over your device to let your kid watch whatever recommended content comes through the app.

Just as it’s important to understand the difference between YouTube and YouTube Kids, it’s equally important to take an active role in enabling the many parent control features embedded into YouTube Kids.

Not sure where to start? Read my previous posts including:

  • 6 Pro Tips for Keeping Kids Safer on YouTube Kids
  • How to Set Up Parent Approved Content on YouTube Kids in 2 Easy Steps
  • Why You Need to Set Up YouTube Parental Controls.

Know What Video Content Your Kids are Watching

The greatest disservice we can do to our kids when it comes to their consumption of content is to not have any idea what they’re watching. Back when I first started blogging 11 (!) years ago, it was easy to see what my kids were doing on the computer thanks to desktop and laptop machines with larger screens that generally stayed in one place. Mobile devices and tablets make it easy for kids to sneak away, burying their noses in screen time so it’s hard to really know what they’re watching. Unlimited data and WiFi means they can watch anytime and anywhere. Even when you do shut off access in your own home, they know they can go over to a friend’s house and watched content you’ve banned at their buddy’s house.

Taking some time to have conversations about the content being watched is important. Kids need to know videos, and their creators, can be informational, entertaining, and highly influential. 

My Important Conversations to Have with Kids About YouTube was written to create open-ended conversations with your kids about YouTube and YouTube Kids content. I’m not here to judge you if you’re letting your kids who are under the age of 13 watch content on YouTube or YouTube Kids. Ultimately you know your child best.

There is never any right or wrong way to talk to your kids about the content they’re watching as long as you’re having a conversation. The priority is working with your child to develop understanding about good and bad content, passive versus active screen time, and what to do if they happen to discover content that they know is not ok.

Report Inappropriate Content Together

Videos encouraging harmful and dangerous challenges are against YouTube’s policies and they encourage users to report content that violate Community Guidelines.

The same is true in YouTube Kids. YouTube Kids wants to ensure that the platform is family friendly, so they’ve implemented a way for inappropriate videos to be reported. Upon reporting, videos are flagged, reviewed, and removed, if necessary.

Here’s how to report inappropriate content in the YouTube Kids app.

Teaching our kids to come to us when they find content they know is wrong without the threat of them getting in trouble is important. They don’t want to be reprimanded if they stumbled across content that was hidden in what was deemed kid-friendly nor do they want to feel like they’re in trouble for algorithms leading them to inappropriate content for their age. The feeling of getting in trouble prevents conversations from happening in your home and meaningful actions like reporting inappropriate videos that should be taken for the good of all users.

Be Skeptical of the Hysteria 

YouTuber Philip DeFranco says it all in his title, making the first 4-5 minutes of his video worth watching. He provides the history of the Momo Challenge, shares historical research on what others have and haven’t found related to it, and generally encourages us to panic.

Keep Lines of Communication Open YouTube content

As parents, it’s our job to help our kids navigate this world of technology so they can make good decisions today, tomorrow, and every day after that. We need to take the time to have conversations that let them open up, engage, and share their world with us. We need to listen to our kids to learn what’s out there, what they know, what they’re hearing from friends, and what the real risks are. We need to seize teachable moments to work through challenges together and keep the lines of communication open.

Sometimes this means that we end up discussing real issues with our kids far earlier than we ever anticipated. Adrian Kulp of Dad or Alive believes, “in this age of amazing digital technology, the pros far outweigh the cons…But with this age of incredible advancements brings a lot of additional stress.” In his post, The “Momo Challenge” has Forced my Hand, Kulp writes about how our kids have instant access to things we’re sometimes unable to control and why he and his wife made the important decision to talk to their kids about topics like mental health, self-harm, and suicide in order to keep them safe. 

YouTube Parental Controls

I’ve been writing about technology, parenting, and education since 2008. Yes, this year marks 11 years of blogging about these topics and in these years, I’ve seen a lot but one fundamental thing hasn’t changed- the need to educate myself and talk to my kids. My kids were 4 and 1 ½ when I started Tech Savvy Mama. Today they’re 15 and 12 ½.

I’ve found that the best thing I can do when it comes to parenting in a digital age is to keep lines of communication open with my kids, educate myself and them, and trust that I’m always making the best decisions for my family whether my goal is to keep kids safe on YouTube and YouTube Kids or other platforms.

I am a member of the YouTube Kids Parent Panel but am not compensated for my involvement. All opinions are my own and based on personal experience.

Related

Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: #YouTubeParentPanel, digital safety, keeping kids safe on YouTube, kids and YouTube, Momo challenge, parental controls, Videos, YouTube, YouTube Kids, YouTube videos

Previous Post: « How Puls Provides Quick, Easy, and Timely Home Maintenance Service
Next Post: A Bronx Tale Coming to DC’s National Theatre »

Primary Sidebar

about sidebar pic_profile pic

Welcome! I'm Leticia, founder of Tech Savvy Mama and a DC Metro area dwelling mom with a tween and teen. With a background in classroom technology integration and school administration, I use everything I learned from teaching children, teachers, and principals as a professional blogger, social media strategist, and freelance writer.  Read more...

TechSavvyMama logo board_sidebar divider

AFFILIATIONS & HONORS

_YouTube Parent Panel

_top50momblogger

TechSavvyMama logo board_sidebar divider

Subscribe

Never Miss a Post!
Name: 
Your email address:*
Consent*
Yes, I consent to being emailed
No, I do not want to be emailed
Please wait...
Please enter all required fields Click to hide
Correct invalid entries Click to hide
No spam, ever. Promise!

Tech Savvy Mama on YouTube

<<< View More >>>

TechSavvyMama logo board_sidebar divider

INSTAGRAMMIN’

techsavvymama

DC area blogger & middle school computer science teacher focused on edu, family tech & teens. ❤s= 🚀 #STEM 🏃 w #StJudeHeroes 🏝 #Haiti

Leticia Barr (she/her)
This year seems like the year of a million first d This year seems like the year of a million first days of school but today has been the best one yet! 🎉 Being in person with my 8th graders who elected to return to school felt amazing. They all said being in school was far better than being on Zoom! 👩‍💻 After not feeling like I had closure last year when schools closed and stayed closed, it is so nice to end the year this way before my students become high schoolers! 🎈
#monday #mondaymood #teacherlife #teacher #teachinginapandemic #teachersofIG #school #middleschoolteacher
18.30 {Sunday afternoons} Sunday afternoons are fo 18.30 {Sunday afternoons} Sunday afternoons are for baseball! ⚾️ We thought last fall would be the final season for his team that has been together since 2nd grade but I'm so glad they're back together this spring! Sitting in the sun watching my guy play baseball is one of my favorite ways to spend a Sunday afternoon! 🧢 
#sunday #baseball #everydayphotoaday #aprilphotochallenge #bccbaseball #swing #fromwhereisit #ballparks #lovethisgame #playball #batterup #hit #homeplate #love #baseballmom #baseballfan #momlife  #youthsports
17.30 {Treat yo self} I always think about buying 17.30 {Treat yo self} I always think about buying bagels on Saturday mornings when I wander by post-workout but the honest truth is I'm starving and just want to head home and stuff my face and caffeinate. Today there wasn't a line so I felt like the universe was telling me it was a good day to treat myself to a bakers dozen and a tub of candied salmon cream cheese! 🥯 Even if your treat isn't carbs make sure you do something for yourself today!
💕
#saturday #saturdayvibes
#everydayphotoaday #aprilphotochallenge #treatyourself #bagel #callyourmotherdeli #freshfarmmarkets #dtss #dmv
#ad There have been times where I’ve struggled t #ad There have been times where I’ve struggled to comprehend the news over the past year. 📰 As a parent and teacher, I want my own kids and students to be news savvy but it’s difficult when not all the headlines, photos, and stories in the daily newspaper or on news sites are right for them. Fortunately, I was recently introduced to The Juice Interactive News Digest! The Juice provides fantastic unbiased content written by credentialed journalists that teaches kids in grades 5-12 about current events in an age-appropriate way. 🌎 Stories are the real deal and provide multiple opinions so kids can use critical thinking and media literacy skills to develop their own opinions. And as a bonus, The Juice’s multimedia content is highly engaging and keeps kids wanting to learn through videos on topics they’re interested in. 🎥 For more information, check out the link in my bio. ⤴️
#news #media #currentevents #medialiteracy #criticalthinking #teaching #learning
14.30 {Selfie} Fun fact: I used to be awful at sel 14.30 {Selfie} Fun fact: I used to be awful at selfies but practicing over the years, and watching friends who are masters, has definitely helped! A few tips:
➡️ If you feel like you're never looking in the right place, sunglasses can help. They hide your eyes and can take the pressure off. 🕶
➡️ Figure out what hand you're most comfortable using to snap photos. I'm right handed so usually take photos with my right hand but every once and awhile I switch. 👋
➡️ Find your best angle. Pro tip- higher is better. Go above your eye level. 👀
➡️ Stretch! Hold your arm out as far as possible. I'm short so my arms are short but somehow I make it work. 😂
➡️ A Pop Socket is your friend! Having something to hold on to definitely helps me stretch and get the best angle with less worry that I'll drop my phone. 
➡️ Practice! Get in the photo! You'll get more comfortable with your selfie skills. I promise! 
📸
#wednesday #selfie #everydayphotoaday #aprilphotochallenge #selfietips #sanfrancisco #visitCA #latergram
13.30 {6 o'clock} This morning we were awake st 6 13.30 {6 o'clock} This morning we were awake st 6 am- much earlier than we have been in a long time because it was SAT day! 📝 SATs are hard enough in a normal year but during a pandemic, they've been scheduled, cancelled, and rescheduled and that can really mess with a teen. Surviving this day of testing was really about so much more so why not celebrate with cake! 🎂 And as you can see, Goldie thought she should get some too! 🐾
#tuesday #cake #everydayphotoaday #aprilphotochallenge #GoldenRetriever #Labrador #puppy #dogsofinstagram #dog #rescuedog #labrescue
12/30 {Today I} Today I remembered I forgot to pos 12/30 {Today I} Today I remembered I forgot to post yesterday!  Perhaps that's because I was busy outside which just happened to be yesterday's #everydayphotoaday prompt. 😂 I expected it to be a rainy weekend but overnight storms made for a gorgeous weekend. ☀️ The first baseball game of the season was cancelled due to soggy fields and as much as I was looking forward to watching my guy play again, it was nice having the gift of time. 🕚 My husband and I had time to take Goldie for a long walk and swim and appreciate these gorgeous cherry blooms along the way. 🌸 How was your weekend? I hope you feel recharged for the week ahead! 💕
#monday #mondaymood #optoutside #everydayphotoaday #aprilphotochallenge #cherryblossom #spring #bloom #blossom
10.30 {Saturday morning} I got up to start my day 10.30 {Saturday morning} I got up to start my day at Orange Theory but someone wanted to stay in bed! 😂🙄😂
#Saturday #mornings #everydayphotoaday #aprilphotochallenge #Labrador #puppy #puppylove #labstagram #doglover #dog #dogsofinstagram #rescuedog #labrescue #petsofinstagram
9/30 {Rule of Thirds} Chincoteague's Main Street i 9/30 {Rule of Thirds} Chincoteague's Main Street is like a step back in time and their library is always so charming! 📖 Even though the library is closed, volunteers decorate the windows each month with seasonal decor. 🌷Another favorite spot is the independently owned @sundialbooks which has stayed open during the pandemic. If you're planning a visit to the island, grab a pair of plastic gloves at the entrance to browse an amazing collection of new and used books. It's one of our favorite places to shop while in town! 📚
#everydayphotoaday #aprilphotochallenge #library #ruleofthirds #chincoteague #chincoteagueisland #civa #architecturelovers #smalltown #scenicvirginia #loveVA #esva
8/30 {Not a #TBT} Yes, friends, today was my first 8/30 {Not a #TBT} Yes, friends, today was my first day of school and it was so nice to be back teaching in person! 🎉 
I am incredibly grateful to be:
💉 fully vaccinated 
👩‍🏫 teaching such a hard working and patient group of middle schoolers
🐴 working with an incredibly talented set of colleagues
🏡 part of a community who cares so much about us as teachers. ♥️ 
I may have only had 1 student today but it was a start! I look forward to seeing more of students when the rest of my middle schoolers return in a couple weeks! 💕
#everydayphotoaday #aprilphotochallenge #teachinginapandemic #teacher #school #middleschoolteacher #STEMteacher #moco #mocomd
If you’ve ever judged someone for what appears b If you’ve ever judged someone for what appears behind them, then you know it matters! Today I’ve partnered with @corninggorilla to share 4 ways you can improve the background of your video calls. 🖥 Spoiler: 1 of the ways includes entering to win a @razer Kiyo Pro webcam designed with Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3! 🦍 Known by gamers everywhere, Razer makes amazing accessories that gamers of all ages love but their products aren’t just for your teens! I took this photo with my Razer Kiyo Pro that is the envy of my middle school students. 📷 Yup, this teacher mom just won major points with her own teen and 8th grade students and you can too! Visit my post to learn how to enter to win 1 of 10 Kiyo Pro cameras and don’t tell the gamers in your life but 3 lucky individuals will also win the highly coveted Razer Iskur chair! Link in bio.
#bgshowdown #teacherlife #entrepreneur #worklife #workfromhome
7/30 {My happy place} This was the best thing that 7/30 {My happy place} This was the best thing that happened to our family during the pandemic! 💕 We've always loved to travel but when COVID cancelled last summer's plans, we decided to head to Chincoteague, a place we've always loved that feels like a world away from the DC 'burbs. 🏖 We had thought about buying a house in Chincoteague for years and suddenly it just seemed right. 🏡 This year we've taken advantage of being able to work and learn remotely to spend time making much needed repairs while visiting the beach, taking Goldie out for canoe rides, and enjoying all the sunsets! 🌅 Where is your happy place? Leave a comment and let me know! 🙂
#everydayphotoaday #aprilphotochallenge #chincoteague #chincoteagueisland  #islandlife #esva #civa #scenicvirginia #loveVA
Load More... Follow on Instagram

TechSavvyMama logo board_sidebar divider

SAVVY FINDS

Footer

Tech Savvy Businesswoman

Check me out across my social media channels for examples of how I can help amplify your company's brand, product, or cause!

_YouTube Parent Panel

Everywhere


techsavvymamasquarelogo_techsavvymama square logo

Privacy Policy Cookie Policy

Looking for Something?

Search by category…

or by date

DISCLOSURE POLICY

Copyright © 2021 Tech Savvy Mama · Designed by Hustle & Sway · Log in