 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
YouTube
Common Sense Media says
Vast video site entertains and educates; iffy stuff abounds.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents needs to know that there are many videos on YouTube that may not be age-appropriate for their kids. The site is entirely user-generated and relies on its community to flag videos that violate YouTube's terms of service (mostly for sexual content, language, and hate speech). Plenty of age-inappropriate content can be surfaced by typing in the most innocent of search terms, so parents will want to monitor kids' use. Videos here run the gamut, from commercial to educational to music videos to homemade clips. Many kids love YouTube and rely on it as a way of keeping up with popular culture; videos go "viral" when viewers share the clips they like. One of the web's most popular destinations for people of all ages, YouTube now curates its videos, suggesting clips and new "channels" based on what you've watched previously. Kids can also discover new videos by seeing what's popular and trending throughout its immense collection. These new features can easily increase the amount of time your kids spend on the site. YouTube does offer parents the ability to filter out objectionable content and comments using Safety Mode. However, Safety Mode doesn't catch everything, and it's easy to disable.
What's it about?
Visitors can search -- and find -- virtually anything on this comprehensive video library site. Its content is entirely user-generated, so it's important to be attentive to each video's source. Plenty of age-inappropriate content can surface by typing in the most innocent of search terms, so parents will want to monitor kids' use. Videos here run the gamut, from commercial to educational to music videos to homemade clips, but for those seeking educational or instructional content, there's plenty to peruse and some helpful information to use.
Is it any good?
YOUTUBE.COM has easily secured its place in pop culture, primarily because it offers so much to discover -- and love -- in this comprehensive video library. Information. Education. Instruction. Entertainment. Distraction. Delight. Want step-by-step guided instructions for making dozens of different styles of friendship bracelets? Need to know how to create a unique Halloween costume? Want to show your child what the robot from Lost in Space looked like or check out the Earth's solar system? You'll find that and much, much more here, including the latest viral videos of that kid or cat that everyone's laughing about. The beauty of YouTube is being able to see so much in one place at any given time. That, however, also makes it difficult to know what your kids are finding and viewing when you're not supervising. Yes, YouTube provides an endless source of useful information. But like other Internet search engines, it is also rife with questionable content and inappropriate user comments that are easy for computer-savvy kids to find and view.
What makes YouTube such an innovative site is its usefulness as a creative outlet for kids and adults alike. Homemade movies -- from silly to serious and everything in between -- are commonplace, and innovative video creations are easy to find. It's not only a place to experience and enjoy the creativity of others, but also a place to exercise your own.
What families can talk about
Preschool: From The Wiggles to Sesame Street, lots of preschool shows have dedicated channels on YouTube. To avoid finding videos that might be inappropriate, stick to shows you know or preview them before showing your preschooler. Learn about the effects of scary movies on kids and always sit with preschoolers while they use the computer.
Elementary school: Kids this age love to find silly stuff on YouTube -- especially with their friends -- but they can also stumble across age-inappropriate material. Learn more about managing their YouTube use. Also, reinforce the importance of Internet safety.
Middle school: As kids start developing their own interests, they may gravitate toward digital media creation -- a hobby you can feel good about nurturing, as long as they're smart about how they use YouTube.
High school: If teens are following the rules of good Internet behavior, you can allow them a certain level of independence in using YouTube. See why it's still important to remain vigilant about YouTube in the teen years.
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AGE
viewers should stay cautious
Youtube can be an educational place or a place to get information through video. The only problem is anyone can upload one, with whatever innopropriate content they'd like. And once you see something through your eyes, it's hard to get out of your brain
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AGE
It depends on what you watch
Youtube is a good website, but is it inaproppiate? It really depends on what you watch. If your a parent and think that your child is looking up inaproppiate stuff on Youtube, then watch them the next time they're on. Other than that, it's an awesome website!!!!!
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Kid, 11 years old
March 26, 2010
AGE
Wrong! Wrong! WRONG!
OK the common sense people are wrong. I know for a fact that youtube should be for age 10+. And it can't be iffy for 13 to ages 15. It should be inappropriate for ages 6 and under, iffy for 7 to 9, then age appropriate for ages 10+ OK so I cleared it up. Now I hope they take my advice and do what I say. They are very wrong.
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AGE
I Started Using It When I Was About 9 I Luv It Too Much
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AGE
I don't know
I can't say I love this website or that I hate it. The good thing is that it inspires children to be creative. Creativity is something all children need but CAN get better sources of it in other places. Alot of bad languge, sexual behavoir and other inoproproit things have popped up on youtube. One time, my four year old got on youtube all by herself. She clicked a random vidio becouse she saw Rudolph the red nosed deer becouse she likes him. It turned out to be a gory horor.She was scared out of her mind and ran to me. She showed me this clip.I banned her from the internet for a while. Although in this case youtube has been unsafe, my sister bought a sofywear that block inopproproit content. Youtube can either be terrible or great.
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AGE
I say that it's okay for tweens and up, but you should use your own judgement when it comes to your own kid
Youtube has been one of my favorite sites to visit and submit things to since I found out about it in '07. Just like the site's motto, Youtube is a place where you can 'Broadcast Yourself'. You can find educational, entertaining, and even inspirational videos on this site.
However, like any site that has user-submitted material, there are some inappropriate things. Language in some videos and the comments of videos isn't always the cleanest. The content of certain videos may be violent or sexual. One of the good things is is the fact that you can use the Safety Mode feature to turn off anything that you don't want to be shown. And even if you don't use the Safety Mode, many videos that are overtly violent or sexual aren't available to users under 18. (Of course, people can lie about their age on their account, but if you set up the account with your child, you can ensure that this doesn't happen.)You can also flag or report videos that you may find offensive or inappropriate, and Youtube actually takes this into consideration and has actually suspended or shut down people on the site for posting the bad material.
But all in all, Youtube is a great site to connect with other people who share your interests, entertaining yourself, and 'Broadcasting Yourself'.
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AGE
Loads of great content and loads of bad content: only for mature children.
You've certainly heard all about YouTube, so there's no need to describe what it is.
YouTube has got an incredible amount of fantastic, entertaining and educational user content, but this is balanced by a large amount of more inappropriate user content. You can't put an age rating on it because it depends on your child's maturity. If you trust them and know that they are sensible enough to make good decisions, by all means let them use it as it is an incredible invaluable resource. However, if you suspect that your child will negatively exploit it, keep it banned.
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AGE
Uhmm.... over reacting much??
It all depends on the the parent!!
Some times people post videos that are "iffy" but other times, its just fine.
When you search you can find both good AND bad videos
The thing is, if you have a youtube channel and post videos about anything, be ready to have haters (aka people who leave bad comments on page) especially about certain beliefs.
In the end, it depends on the parent because, they have to trust they taught their children right from wrong.
Some of my friends love watching innappropriate vids, but I leave the room when they start to. I also live in constant fear that if I click something on accident, my parents may see it. Another thing I advise, staying up-to-date with the history of the computer. That way, your kid knows and will watch what he or she clicks on.
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AGE
Be careful of bad talk!
I love Youtube, but there is alot of swearing, violence, and bullying. Block Youtube for ages younger than 13!
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AGE
Stop overreacting parents!
YouTube is one of those websites that is 100% unavoidable. Everyone has been on YouTube and even thought some comments\videos are going too far with drugs and things like that parents can't stop their kids from going on. I think YouTube is easy to get around and its fun to sit and watch weird and random videos. Defentily a great site and parents shouldn't overreact.
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| Genre: | Video Sites |
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