No YouTube Allowed
That headline causes my children stress. They say, “Really, Mom, no YouTube? None at all?” I say, “No, YouTube.” In our home, YouTube causes more stress and frustration for me as a parent than any benefit received from it. Any value that might be found on YouTube is far outweighed by the dangers.
Do you ever wonder why your children are so fascinated with YouTube videos? What is interesting about watching someone else pay a video game and tell you how to play? Wouldn’t it be more fun to play the game yourself and learn how to beat it, not let someone else show you?
If I allowed my 2 oldest children (9 years old and 11 years old), they would sit and watch YouTube all day long. YouTube videos had become their favorite way to pass the time. I finally decided YouTube had to stop!
4 Reasons We Don’t Allow YouTube
When You Complete a YouTube Video, Additional Videos are Offered. Many Suggested Videos Are Not Appropriate.
It always seems to start like this, my son starts watching YouTube to figure out how to get to the next level in his video game. In the first video, he learns how to fix the problem, but then he just wants to keep watching. At the end of every video, there are always 5-10 more videos on a similar topic or just some random topic you can watch. Jumping from video to video becomes an addiction.
The more your child jumps from video to video usually the more inappropriate the content and the further away from the original question they go. It’s just one deep rabbit trail you don’t want your child to follow.
Unfortunately, even if you start on a learning video like how to solve an algebra problem, when the algebra video ends you will be offered more videos to watch and you do not know what you will be offered, but it’s unlikely they will all be more math tutorials.
My children are not spending their time watching education videos on YouTube all day. The videos they want to watch offer little in value and do not add to their learning experiences. If not monitored, children will quickly find inappropriate content on YouTube even by accident.
Too Many YouTube Videos Contain Inappropriate Language and Content
Sadly, many of the videos found on YouTube contain inappropriate language and content. As a mom, it’s frustrating that the young people (who appear to be 20ish) and know their videos are popular with tween and teen aged children include comments with inappropriate references, too much cursing and too many words children should not hear.
It’s not just that my children might hear a curse word on a YouTube video that concerns me, the context in which the words are used can be excessively vulgar and in no way appropriate for children, tweens, teens, and even adults in most cases. The vulgar language found on YouTube videos is inappropriate and should not be tolerated.
Children Lack the Discernment to Decide the Right Videos to Watch
Tweens and teens are still learning and developing their understanding of right and wrong. As parents, we have to provide them a safe environment and not let them be exposed to inappropriate content. We are to guide them and help them recognize good content and why they must avoid bad content.
We teach them what is right as they grow so that when they are adults, they will have developed the skills to discern right from wrong. Children are not born with an internal instinct telling them what is right. As they grow, we instill our values and morals to guide them when they are grown.
Children Seem to Become Addicted to Watching YouTube
If left on their own, my children would watch YouTube videos all day long (and probably all night too). Just one video right after another until the battery on the iTouch or Kindle dies. Then, they would try to go get a charger and just keep on watching.
Children are easily addicted to watching YouTube videos. We must remember that our children have been born into a world that doesn’t remember a day without a cell phone, tablet, and the internet. They don’t understand what life is like disconnected (a dead battery means they are disconnected and it’s a crisis!).
Think of it like this, you may have grown up watching MTV and other music videos on television, but your children don’t know a world not watching videos from the small device held in their hand. Many of them start playing on their parents phones before they are a 1-year-old. What a difference. You can’t take a television with you everywhere you go, but you can take most tablets and electronic devices with you in your pocket, purse or bookbag.
It’s Time to Say No to YouTube
YouTubers create these videos because they get an audience and people watch them. We need to just say “no”. If the video creators on YouTube are creating inappropriate and unacceptable content, we must stop giving them an audience and most importantly ensure our children are not exposed to these videos.
To restrict YouTube in our home, I have set restrictions on all tablets and Kindles so that they do not allow access to YouTube. I also set restrictions to remove inappropriate content, but the only filter that seems works for YouTube is to completely remove the option to access YouTube. I also removed all YouTube apps from any device in our home. Removing or disabling internet apps like Google or Safari would be another option.
Additionally, I have considered adding software that will limit content and access to the Internet, but those programs and apps are expensive with monthly or annual fees. These options may be necessary in the future.
No YouTube, Now What?
If we don’t allow our children to watch YouTube (or any other videos you feel are inappropriate), we should give them alternates of good and appropriate videos they can watch. You could give them apps with shows you have approved. Maybe a Disney app or Nickelodeon app that allows them to watch shows.
You could also encourage them not to watch videos on electronic devices (small screens are probably not good for eyes that are still developing). Reading books is a great replacement for watching videos.
When we take things away, we have to be prepared with alternatives. Our children may not like what we offer, we probably did not like what our parents offered us as alternatives to what we wanted to do. Our children can also be encouraged to play with creative toys like Legos or do art projects like drawing, coloring or painting.
Of course, there’s always good old-fashioned playing outside. There is a whole world to explore, study and understand. Why not get out and take a look? As parents, we can help by planning activities on the weekends and during school breaks that get our children out of the house and away from electronics.
Mom, what if…
My children seem to be masters of coming up with “what if” questions? Do your children ask “what if” questions?
What if all my friends are watching a funny YouTube video? I teach my children to say no thanks, I don’t watch any YouTube videos.
What if my teacher tells me to watch a YouTube video to help with my math homework? I tell my children I will write the teacher a note and explain my position on YouTube (besides, children have been educated for more than 2,000 years without YouTube I think we can find alternates to YouTube for education). There are acceptable websites that just share educational information that don’t require YouTube.
What if my friends laugh at me because I don’t watch YouTube? Hopefully, your friends will not make fun of you for making a decision to do right. When we do things because they are right, some people will not understand.
I am not saying all YouTube videos are bad or inappropriate. In our home, we have decided there are too many inappropriate videos mixed with the few good videos and we don’t want our children exposed to the bad and inappropriate content continually seen on YouTube. Until content improves and becomes more appropriate for children, we have banned YouTube from our home.
Your Turn…
How do you handle YouTube in your home? Do you restrict the content your children are allowed to watch on the internet? Why or Why not?
Photo credit: Jill Levenhagen
no its stupid, youtube helps us do our skills and not being allowed is just not nice
You Tube is a bane of my existence. I’ve tried blocking or removing the app, but it is standard on our TV and Blu Ray player. They get on to it on their school provided chrome books which need internet access to complete their homework. I just found out today that my 11yo has his own channel when he knows he is not supposed to be watching (he even admits in his public videos all the loops he had jump through just to post secretly). Beyond blocking the app do you have any other advice or resources, because I am at my wit’s end with this.
I have found that blocking the apps with a router like Netgear or product like Circle by Disney works. With Circle, you can give your child access to some apps but not others and control all their devices. With the router, you can easily turn internet access on and off by device.
Have any of you actually stayed in another room and listened to the ridiculousness of most of the videos on You Tube? Trust me I grew up with many not even having TV yet so to believe that kids need You Tube to keep informed, for school or for any other valid reason sounds to trite to me! There are so many things kids can be doing instead. Why is it that so many parents are willing to allow things like You Tube and cell phone use all day while denying them the things they really do need to become well rounded interesting adults. Creative play, art, hiking, building, outdoor games like kick ball, baseball, shooting baskets. Why is it so easy and so acceptable to just let your kids sit all day and engage in non-essential and nonsensical screen time addictive behavior?
I’m not a mother but a concerned uncle, my sister works graveyard shift and often my nephew is left in my care after school in turn I’m a very busy man. My 8 year old nephew refuses to do anything aside from watching YouTube. I’ve tried buying him different games to peak his interest, bought him a bike, scooter, skateboard and even tried to teach him how to use them but he absolutely refuses to spend more then 5 minutes outside without throwing a major fit. He’s not special needs he’s just allowed by his mother to get away with these fits. I’ve tried many different approaches to handle his attitude but they all back fire when he complains to his mother and she fires back with just let him do what he wants it’s not worth the fight. It pains me to see her not put in the effort to teach this boy how to be a kid and try new things. Her answer is always go watch YouTube. I’ve invested thousands of dollars and countless hours trying to bond with my nephew and help him experience the endless options to occupy ones time but he completely refuses any alternative to YouTube. If you have any advice I could utilize to better bring this to his mother’s attention and change her opinion on her parenting skills I would be eternally grateful!!
Kids love electronics. It can be hard to set limits. Have you tried to do a few of the activities with your nephew like get a bike and ride some afternoons too or play board games or card games (not electronic)?
My kids also do not watch YouTube, although I do let my 6 YO watch YouTube kids sometimes. It’s fairly useless stuff so he is very limited on that as well….you are so right about them getting addicted and watching video after video! We’ve mostly solved this by limited access to electronics period. I find that they do not even really miss electronics after a day or so and find plenty of things to do like riding bikes or reading. 🙂
Hi Lena, Setting limits for all electronics seems to be the best solution and helping our kids have other activities they enjoy like riding bikes, reading books and just enjoying being outside are great alternatives.
Just download YouTube Kids, why are you so oblivious to this.
i agree
LET THEM HAVE YOUTUBE
TeacherTube is a good substitution
I completely respect the way your family is handling your exposure to YouTube and the internet in general. However, I would hesitate to full out ban it. If you approach it from an entertainment standpoint, yes, there can be a lot of danger. However, accessed as a resource, there’s a lot of very helpful information. It might be helpful to use it only for educational purposes (i.e. how to crochet or learning how car engines work). There are other resources, but often seeing a video helps explain much more clearly. And, everything could still be prescreened by you, if you have concerns about what might pop up in their searches. Some things in the world are good to be completely avoided, but I might use this scenario instead to teach my kids how to responsibly handle temptation, how to respond to and avoid potential online junk, and how to effectively find useful and relevant information. I’d just encourage you to use resources wisely but not fearfully.
Hi Deborah, Thank you for sharing. YouTube does offer some helpful videos. As a parent, I find that YouTube has too much inappropriate content that I do not want my children even exposed to that I find it’s best to stay away from YouTube. Alternately, if you need a training video, you can usually find good training and education videos on alternate websites.
Use YouTube kids, this article is completely useless, Do your research “Smart Mom”
I think you are really missing the point. Even though YouTube kids is not mentioned in this article it is something I have used with my kids and yes there is less inappropriate content but it is still mindless, addictive and adds little to no value.
YouTube channels especially the kids ones design their videos specifically to excite Childrens brains and keep them hooked. Look up some of the recent research on this. It works on kids brains in the same way slot machines do on adults.
Plus arguing about it brings tension to households.
Wow just the article I needed. My 4 year old has become addicted to YouTube home made videos of super heroes which are terrible. They do not have any speech only sign language which is not improving his delayed speech. Thanks for the option on apps, but how do I remove YouTube from my phone???
Hi Taz, you have a good question about how to remove YouTube. I do it 2 ways. First, I make sure the phone or tablet has no Youtube apps (I block the kids from downloading apps without my approval – I have to enter the password), then second, in the internet settings I block YouTube.com as an approved page (there’s a setting for do not allow). So if they are on the internet and type “Youtube.com” the device will not allow any access unless I approve it. You can block or approve as many websites as you want. I think you can also get parental control apps that block web pages you don’t approve.
About youtube, i allow my daughter to watch youtube but only 2 videos a day.. She watch it on tv, i use chromecast ( a media to cast anything from the phone straight to tv). She can choose the video but i’m the one who control my phone.. So she only can watch it in the big screen..
Asri, parents must be alert with YouTube. It’s so easy for children to accidentally find material they should not see. Great they are controlling and monitoring everything your daughter does.
You’re so wise to limit screen time and to offer alternatives when you take away Youtube. As the mother of three (and a parent educator), we’ve handled the situation similarly. Thanks for sharing at the #ThisIsHowWeRoll Link party
Hi Susan, offering accepted alternatives helps children, but I still have to monitor the older ones. They always to be on Youtube (I am sure it’s largely friends sharing videos, etc…). I want to encourage them to find better ways to use their time.
These are all such valid points. My 10 year old daughter has become addicted I am afraid. I’ve already cut her time way down. This blog post really hits home with me, and I am SO glad you shared it.
Thanks for linking up with us at the best of the blogosphere! We’d love to have you back for another link up!
This is definitely a problem in many households. I have set my sons on a time limit and they have to be in the same room as me when they watch YouTube. It would be much easier to not let them watch it all, this is true. So glad to see you link up with #SocialButterflySunday! Hope to see you link up again this week 🙂
Hi Kelly, handling screentime and YouTube is a big challenge in many homes. I am glad many parents have set limits and are willing to share their experience with us.
Hi Rachel, I’m in total support of your position of no YouTube videos, and in our house, it’s extremely limited access to TV and Internet in general. Our entertainment is like our association and it can easily influence and corrupt our minds (especially young ones), so my opinion is that it’s irresponsible on the part of the parents to allow their children to watch or listen to morally degrading content since we are in the position to train and teach our children right from wrong – they do lack discernment to make good choices on their own, so it’s our job to steer them in the right direction. Nice post and very realistic!
Hi Monique, parents do need to guide their children and keep them away from anything that could harm (not just physically but also morally). You make a good point about how entertainment influences children and all of us. We must be careful what we watch at all times.
You are absolutely right about You Tube. My daughter is only allowed to watch it if I am watching it with her (which is not often). She is nine. I didn’t even know she knew what it was until she came home from a sleepover at a friend’s house and asked to borrow my computer. Great post for parents.
Hi Alicia, if you do allow your children to watch YouTube the safest way is if you monitor it with them.
We don’t have TV, so we do use YouTube occasionally to allow the kids to watch things like Peppa Pig or to watch old movies that are on there for free etc. That being said, we pretty much never let them watch anything unsupervised for the very same reasons that you stated. I get most disgusted with the inappropriate ads that show up and also sometimes the video suggestions along the side. That alone is reason enough to make me convinced that our kids shouldn’t be watching YouTube alone. Obviously, we have younger kids (our oldest is almost 8) and I’m sure this whole thing will get more challenging as they get older!
Lydia, first you are probably right to not have TV. TV shows are a subject for another post. YouTube ads and “suggested” videos are very troublesome to me as a parent, too. You are right to monitor what your children are watching.
You can actually get a free ad-blocker that will block the ads.
I’m proud of you for taking a stand! We have a filter on our son’s computer, so we don’t have to worry too much, but there is so much other stuff, you have to keep your eyes on them! Thank you for sharing this at the #HomeMattersParty
Hi Jamie, YouTube and other websites are an important topic that parents need to consider and monitor what their children are watching.
I have just started allowing my children to watch YouTube videos. I stay within ear shot and try to monitor what they are watching/ listening to. It is hard to make sure they don’t see or hear inappropriate content but the same can be said for TV too. So far I haven’t found anything too objectionable and I try to remind them to go through Youtube.com/eductaion which is designed more for classroom use and is supposed to be screened for content.
Have you tried the YouTube Kids app? It’s the only one we allow in our home. the content is screened to appropriate for kids, and you can put limits on types of content, limit search, etc.
Hi Lisa, I did consider the YouTube Kids app, but it seems to be designed for younger kids (up to about 6 years old or so). I am not sure it would work for older children and tweens. I also have concerns about how YouTube and electronic devices in general affects kids. Kids seem to just endless watch video after video – almost lost in their own world. I want my children to be able to separate themselves from their device.