Parents are increasingly concerned about the impact of YouTube on their children, leading many to impose stricter rules on its use at home. Shawn Kallett, a father of two and a former YouTube strategist, notes that excessive YouTube consumption can lead to irritability and meltdowns in children. He attributes this to the platform’s algorithm, designed to keep viewers engaged through endless content. Kallett enforces strict guidelines: his sons can only watch pre-selected channels and videos, always under adult supervision on the TV, and must stop when told. Failure to comply results in temporary loss of access.
Twenty years after its launch, YouTube has become a common part of American media consumption, offering a wide range of content from kids’ videos to family vlogs and how-to guides. However, recent scandals involving young creators and growing awareness of the addictive nature of short-form videos have prompted some parents to reconsider allowing unrestricted access for their children.
Kallett, who has worked with family vloggers, is particularly wary of the ethical implications of featuring children in online content. He refuses to post videos of his own sons, even though they enjoy recreating family vlog challenges and pranks. Similarly, Rachel Nelson, a mother from North Dakota, is uncomfortable with the commercialization of children in family vlogs. She has noticed changes in her 6-year-old son’s behavior after watching YouTube, including difficulty focusing and increased frustration. Nelson now requires adult supervision for YouTube viewing to prevent exposure to inappropriate content.
Devika Bhushan, a pediatrician and mother, shares these concerns, highlighting a study that found a 45% chance of children encountering inappropriate content within 10 clicks on YouTube. She worries about the platform’s impact on brain development, particularly the degradation of attention spans due to the constant cycle of short videos. Bhushan has deleted the YouTube app from her home devices, preferring her son to watch longer television shows that encourage sustained attention and better brain development.