With so many apps and platforms marketed to children these days, digital spaces like YouTube Kids might feel like a safe bet for kid-friendly content. However, YouTube is the number one platform where parents report their kids seeing inappropriate content.
What content is YouTube’s algorithm showing kids?
Kids can easily come across inappropriate content on YouTube because its algorithm is programmed to recommend more and more extreme versions of what a user watches, even if what they’re initially watching is totally benign.
For example, when ParentsTogether’s researchers set up test accounts pretending to be 9- and 14-year-olds, and only watched video game playthroughs like Roblox, within 30 days YouTube served them up to 1,325 videos about real guns, footage of real school shootings, and tutorials for using and modifying weapons.
How can I fix my child’s YouTube algorithm?
If you’re concerned about what types of content your child may be seeing on YouTube, you can reset the algorithm. This will get your child a fresh start on the platform that pulls them out of the algorithm’s pattern of increasingly extreme content, and gets safer content back into their feed. Here’s how to do it—
- Click their profile picture, then tap the “Settings” gear icon up top.
- Select “Manage all history” >> Delete >> “Delete all time.” (This removes everything from the viewing history.)
- Move over to the Interactions tab. Review and delete any likes or comments your kid left on videos that might be influencing the algorithm. Now, when you go back to the main YouTube page, all the recommendations from YouTube should be gone.
- Do 3-5 parent-approved searches and watch a handful of safe videos your child would like.
These four simple steps will reset your child’s YouTube algorithm to serve them content that better aligns with your family’s values. It’s recommended to reset their algorithm at least once per month, or anytime you overhear or see your child watching content you find inappropriate.
