To control YouTube viewing, become an expert
When trying to connect with a patient in my office, I had previously asked about hobbies or friends. Those questions have been replaced by simply asking what’s in their YouTube library or what videos they’ve recently shared. YouTube has captured the passion of our kids.
The numbers are staggering. Started 13 years ago as a way to share videos, 1.3 million YouTube members upload 300 hours of content every minute, with 5 billion videos watched every day. YouTube Kids began as a way to focus content on kids under 13. Parental responses range from benign neglect to prohibition. Most parents want to do what’s right by restricting access or limiting media time. YouTube mandates that kids be at least 13 years of age to maintain their account and limits adult content to members 18 and older. There are also myriad controls that parents can put on their kid’s account.
I’ve learned three things about YouTube from youth in the office, who admittedly are not representative of all children.
First, kids access adult content by fabricating fake accounts. These teens resent the restrictions placed on them by their parents. They see their actions as a way to assert their independence and explore content that seems reasonable to them but objectionable to parents.
Second, kids legitimately stumble across unintended content of a violent or sexual nature. However, you can’t easily erase a disturbing image from a child’s mind.
Third, and perhaps of most concern, YouTube can be psychologically addictive. I’ve had teens tell me they would seriously consider suicide if a parent took away their access to their cellphone because watching videos and texting peers are so much a part of their lives. I’m not suggesting that YouTube is bad for all kids, but rather some youngsters simply do not have the selfcontrol and emotional stability to control their video viewing.
Don’t restrict YouTube usage completely. You need to prepare your kids for when you are not constantly supervising them. Figure out a way to teach them how to use this media in a responsible and fun manner.
Become a YouTube expert. Be familiar with parental controls, trending videos and what’s in your child’s library. Watch videos with your child. Check your computer’s history. Please don’t tell me you don’t know how to do this stuff. Learn it.
One size doesn’t fit all. Don’t develop one rule for all of the kids in your family. Adjust your rules according to what you feel is best for your child. However, most parents place some time restriction on viewing, such as requiring that cell video access be prohibited at bedtime.