YouTube Kids Videos: A Guide for Parents

Helping keep kids safe online can be stressful for many parents nowadays. Not only are there concerns of inappropriate material and cyberbullying, but also risks of predators and accidental data exposure. Parents also face the challenge of figuring out which platforms are safe for their children to use, as some have better protection than others.

Thankfully, YouTube Kids is a platform parents can trust. In addition to delivering kid-friendly content, this child-friendly app offers parental controls and filters, limits advertising and tailors videos to suit different age groups.

To help answer any questions you might have about the platform, we asked several digital experts to share insights on everything from the best YouTube videos for kids to easy strategies for managing your child's screen time.

What is YouTube Kids?

YouTube Kids is a specialized version of YouTube specifically for younger audiences. Unlike its older sibling, this platform offers a more contained and kid-friendly environment for exploring video content.

Roy Scott, CEO and founder of Healthy Hip Hop, an educational technology platform, explains, "The main difference with YouTube Kids is that the content is curated for children. Parents and caretakers don't have to worry about ads or content that isn't kid-appropriate, and the platform also has parental controls, content filters and a kid-friendly interface that regular YouTube does not have."

Benefits of YouTube for kids

"One of the biggest benefits of YouTube Kids is its educational content. Scott notes, "This platform offers content around different educational topics for children, including math, reading, music, shapes, nature and science. These categories supplement what children learn in school and can help improve their recognition of fun facts and concepts."

Despite its educational focus, YouTube Kids also entertains. Scott explains, 'Many of the videos provide entertainment to kids by featuring catchy songs, bright colours and interactive components. This can help kids associate learning with fun, fostering a more positive attitude toward education."

Additionally, YouTube Kids helps children discover new interests. Kathy Wall, program director of Safe Kids PBC at Community Partners of South Florida, observes, 'Kids can easily discover diverse and creative ideas and content ranging from knowledge to humour and how-to. This might help children expand their horizons and increase their skills, finding a sense of belonging as they explore and connect with others who share similar interests.'

How to find the best YouTube videos for kids

Finding the best YouTube videos for your children may seem intimidating. Still, it doesn't have to be a challenge – parents can easily use these techniques (filters, pre-watching videos, creating a playlist, etc.) to find great content for kids.

Filters

One of the best ways to find appropriate YouTube videos for kids is by using the platform's content filters. YouTube offers age-based content level settings, allowing parents to customize video selection for different age groups: "Preschool" (4 and under), "Younger" (5-8), and "Older" (9 and above).

In addition to age-based filters, YouTube Kids offers several other parental control features, including time limits to manage screen time and turning off the search function. However, the "Approved Content Only Mode" is the most restrictive filter, limiting children to watching only videos, channels and collections hand-picked and approved by the parent.

Read comments and reviews

Parents should read video comments and reviews to find appropriate YouTube content for children. This helps identify age-appropriate material and avoid unsuitable videos.

Additionally, checking channel credentials assists in assessing video safety and determining if the content comes from trusted sources. As Wall advises, "If a video has a lot of negative comments or concerns about inappropriate material, it's probably best to skip it."

Prewatch videos

Parents should preview videos before allowing their children to watch them. Wall states, "This practice, along with checking ratings and comments, helps determine if the content is appropriate for kids."

Create a playlist

Once you've discerned which kinds of videos are appropriate for your children to watch, Dr. Dalad Srisuppak, PhD, LMHC, EMDRIA, Director of School Programs at Community Partners of South Florida, suggests making a playlist to have videos on hand.

"To do this, first, identify or know which types of videos or channels are appropriate for the children to watch," she says. "Ensure that the content is relevant and age-appropriate. Second, create a playlist for your kids to ensure that the content is safe. Finally, set a specific time or schedule for when it's appropriate for the children to use YouTube so that kids do not spend too long on the site."

Best YouTube channels for kids

Lynette Owens, vice president of global consumer education and marketing at Trend Micro, says that there are many educational videos on YouTube Kids that children can discover.

"Parents have an array of educational content to choose from on YouTube Kids, including videos from reputable sources such as PBS Kids, National Geographic Kids and StoryBots," she explains.

Khan Academy, LEGO, and TEDEd are other channels that parents can consider. According to Teodora Pavkovic, a globally recognized digital wellness expert and parenting coach, these channels feature videos that highlight important skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and other educational topics.

For children interested in cartoons, Pavkovic says that YouTube Kids offers a variety of well-known options, such as Bluey and Winnie the Pooh. "However, always make sure you use the available parental controls to ensure that your kids are being entertained online in a way that aligns with your values and your expectations of the types of content they will encounter," she advises.

Safety concerns

It's normal for parents to have safety concerns about any online platform their children use. Here are some of parents' most common concerns regarding YouTube Kids.

Inappropriate Content

According to Owens, "One of parents' biggest concerns with YouTube is the risk of exposure to inappropriate content or harmful interactions. Even with filters in place, children could inadvertently be exposed to content with inappropriate language, violence or disturbing themes. For this reason, parental involvement in monitoring and regulating their children's YouTube consumption is crucial. Parents should actively participate in selecting appropriate content and establish clear boundaries regarding permissible viewing material."

Cyberbullying, dangerous strangers, scams and fraud

The potential for cyberbullying and exposure to dangerous strangers online is another significant parental concern, with Owens pointing out that these risks can arise from errant searches or misguided content recommendations.

Owens also warns, "Children can be manipulated through aggressive or deceptive advertising, even scams or fraud, and persuaded to want or spend money on a product, website, or service that may or may not be age-appropriate or safe for them."

Screen time

"Parents also express concern about their children's screen time," Owens notes. "While YouTube offers a vast array of content that appeals to children, not all of which is harmful, parents worry that excessive video watching may lead their children to neglect other beneficial activities."

Parental controls

YouTube Kids offers a range of easy-to-use parental control features that make it easy for parents to manage their children's viewing experience. Parents can start by setting up a profile for their child in the YouTube Kids app and adjusting the settings according to their child's age group. This allows them to oversee their child's account and check which content they are engaging with.

Additionally, YouTube Kids has safety features that let parents set limits on how long their children can watch videos, block specific content they find unsuitable and even turn off the search function altogether. Filtering options also cater to different age groups, making it suitable for everyone, from preschoolers to older children.

Regarding advertisements, YouTube Kids also ensures that most ads shown are appropriate for younger audiences and come with clear labels.

Supervised experiences

YouTube Kids also offers supervised experiences, which allow parents to set boundaries and create a safer YouTube experience based on their children's age and readiness as a parent defines it.

According to Owens, "This supervised experience offers parents the ability to limit the type of content their children may see but also allows them to be alerted when their kids upload or comment on videos. Finally, in the supervised experience, YouTube has provided several features by default; it does not auto-play another video after one has ended and reminds kids to take a break after 60 minutes of viewing time."

Balancing screen time with other activities

Integrating YouTube videos into your child's routine can be beneficial. However, Srisuppak highlights the need for balance to ensure that children benefit while remaining safe. He advises, "Create a designated time or schedule for watching YouTube to help prevent excessive use of the platform."

Limiting screen time is also important for your child's physical and mental health. According to Walker, "Having less screen time encourages kids to engage in more offline activities like playing or reading, which are crucial for their development. By setting these boundaries, parents protect their children online and instill the importance of balance in their daily routines."

Interactive learning with YouTube

It's crucial to monitor your child's time spent in front of screens, but Srisuppak points out that YouTube Kids can turn that screen time into valuable learning moments for both you and your child.

"For instance, after watching a science video, parents and children could perform related experiments together, even recording their efforts for future viewing," he explains. "Similarly, mindfulness or breathing technique videos can be followed by practicing these skills in a safe, fun environment. This approach not only reinforces learning but also promotes quality parent-child interaction."

Staying involved

Your child likely has some favourite entertainers and influencers they like to watch online, but Wall says that it's very important for parents to know who these people are and what messages they convey.

"Active supervision of children online is vital," she explains. "It's a hands-on approach to caregiving that requires an adult to be fully aware of what a child is doing at all times, whether they are playing, exploring or learning."

One of the best ways to stay involved is to watch videos together with your child. "This allows parents to monitor content in real-time and engage with children about what they're watching," Wall explains. Co-viewing not only helps monitor what kids are watching but also provides a chance to teach them how to think critically about the media they consume.

"Teaching children to recognize inappropriate content and report it is essential. Even with filters, they may come across unsuitable material, so encouraging them to let you know, or flag videos are important."

For many parents, the internet can seem daunting when it comes to their kids. The good news is that YouTube Kids is a dependable app designed to create a safer online space for children. It offers extensive fun and educational content suitable for young audiences and helpful features for parents, such as supervision options and limited ads. However, it's essential to remember that, like other social media platforms, parental involvement in monitoring your child's views is key to keeping them safe.

Experts

• Roy Scott is the CEO and founder of Healthy Hip Hop, an educational technology platform that combines hip-hop with positive messaging and learning tools for children.
• Lynette Owens is the vice president of global consumer education and marketing at Trend Micro. She is also the founder and global director of Trend Micro's Internet Safety for Kids and Families program.
• Kathy Wall is the program director of Safe Kids PBC at Community Partners of South Florida.
• Dalad Srisuppak, PhD, LMHC, EMDRIA Certified, CTMH, is the Director of School Programs at Community Partners of South Florida.
• Teodora Pavkovic is a globally recognized digital wellness expert and parenting coach.