YouTube is an incredibly popular platform with children and young people to the degree that is has replaced live broadcast television entirely for many. However, YouTube also provides young people with the opportunity to create content themselves. So, is it allowed? How old do you have to be, and what can you do as a parent if you don’t want your child to have a YouTube channel? We look at all this and more.
YouTube is an incredibly popular platform with children and young people to the degree that is has replaced live broadcast television entirely for many. However, YouTube also provides young people with the opportunity to create content themselves. So, is it allowed? How old do you have to be, and what can you do as a parent if you don’t want your child to have a YouTube channel? We look at all this and more.
If you have a family law issue and you feel you need legal advice, contact specialist family solicitor Mark Heptinstall of Slater Heelis Solicitors. He is recognised as a ‘Leading Individual’ in The Legal 500 and ranked in Chambers UK, and is described as having “the amazing ability to bring calm into troubled waters”.
What should parents be aware of when their child wants to set up a YouTube channel?
Under YouTube rules, it doesn’t allow children under the age of 13 to create their own channels or accounts. In addition, children between the age of 13 and 17 are only allowed to open them with parental consent.
Children under the age of 13 would need their parent to set up the channel, and manage the content they post and everything they do on it from that point onwards. YouTube doesn’t allow content that endangers the physical and emotional well-being of minors – a minor is someone under the age of 18.
Essentially, then, if your child is under 13 and you are not prepared to set up a YouTube account on their behalf, this should bring an end to the matter. However, things are more complicated if they fall between 13 and 17, since there are a ton of ways for children with even a cursory knowledge of technology to circumvent parental controls. For example, using a VPN or the share feature, changing the time, getting another device from a friend, uninstalling/reinstalling the app, using the notifications and notes to access, and working out your password.
What can I do if my ex lets our child have their own YouTube channel?
If possible, you should discuss the issue with your ex directly and see if a resolution can be agreed between you and your child. Mediation may also help to resolve matters, failing which you could make an application to court for specific issue order. This order would deal with the issue at hand, and may lead to an order that the YouTube channel is removed or blocked. However, it is important to take on board the child’s wishes and feelings here, and the very real possibility it could damage your relationship. Not only that, but if you don’t live with your child on a day-to-day basis, policing the matter would prove incredibly difficult, meaning your order is, in reality, not worth the emotional and financial expense.
Is it safe for children to be on YouTube?
Provided you ensure the correct level of privacy settings, parental controls, and supervision are in place, YouTube can be used as safely as any other similar platform. However, parents should be proactive in monitoring use and have open communication with their child about the potential risks and keeping themselves safe online.
YouTube offers several reporting and blocking functions. Comments from a specific viewer can be hidden, or alternatively, can be turned off completely. If you have set up an account for your child, then this function helps protect your child from receiving bullying or inappropriate comments on their content. Whole channels can also be blocked by pasting the channel’s URL into the “hidden users” section.
What can I do if my child wants to be a YouTuber?
It is perfectly normal for a child to express an interest in becoming a YouTuber. In fact, a recent survey suggested around 75% of children between the ages of 6 and 17 want to become YouTubers. As a parent, it is reasonable to be wary of this type of technology and of letting your children loose to create and post their own content. But whilst it is relatively easy to block younger children from the platform, you might find it incredibly difficult to forbid and police an older child from doing so.
It is therefore essential to have a conversation with your children if they express a desire to set up their own channel. Before banning it outright, try to discuss the risks and decide together if they are emotionally and mentally mature enough to deal with the risks and become a YouTuber.
The biggest concern many parents have when children want to create their own channel is that they will be exposed to inappropriate or explicit content. There are several parental controls apps available that allow parents to monitor their child’s online activity and keep them safe.
The comments section on any social media platform is rife with hate-filled content and inappropriate words that have the potential to damage a child’s emotional wellbeing. It may be worth disabling comments completely in order to reduce these risks.
If children are creating video content, they will also probably be watching it. The internet is full of misinformation such as fake news or challenge videos that can be harmful to children. To avoid conflict later on, you should discuss the type of content that isn’t allowed and how often they can work on creating it.
YouTube safety tips for parents
There are many ways that parents can support their children to use YouTube safely. Here is some below:
- Consider YouTube Kids instead – this is an app built for children to use instead of the original YouTube app. Parents can set YouTube Kids up for their children and share the account. This means they can ensure that all content they view is age appropriate and safe.
- Watch content with the children – this helps parents to understand how their child uses social media and gain an idea of the type of content they are watching
- Subscribe effectively – if your child is subscribed to their favourite YouTubers, it is less likely they will be exposed to harmful content. This is because YouTube will suggest more of the same or similar content for your child to view, meaning that they will be less likely to explore new videos themselves.
- Check the child’s history – if you have access to your child’s YouTube account, you can check their history and ensure they are safe to view
- Private profile – if your child is uploading content onto YouTube, they can make their profile private, which means only those they invite can view their video, and it will not be made public. This reduces the risk of harmful comments and gives an option to report and block any users who have left any.
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