YouTube Safety Tips
YouTube Safety
We have all tried to be vigilant in monitoring what our kids do on the Internet. Even with my best intentions, my kids have often 'clicked too far' on YouTube. So what should a parent do to keep YouTube Safe? Keep reading for some technical and practical tips you can follow to keep YouTube entertaining and fun!
YouTube Safety Tip #1 – Turn on SafeSearch
I have previously written a post on how to turn on YouTube SafeSearch. See YouTube for Kids. The safe search will block all content that is identified as 'inappropriate, violent, lude.'
However, since I wrote that post, I have realized many shortcomings with this safesearch setting. This isn't a one-step solution. The Safesearch feature relies on YouTube users to be accurate in their descriptions and titles for their movies. As you can imagine with the millions of hours of YouTube available, the titles and descriptions and maturity ratings are not always accurate. Because of this, there are some more tips to follow.
YouTube Safety Tip#2 – Create Playlists and Mark Favorites
Kids usually have their favorite video. Whether it is PSY in 'Gangum Style' or 'My Little Pony,' my kids can watch the same video over and over. If you create a playlist you are letting your kids skip the step of searching for a video every time. You can even create a bookmark for a playlist so that they go straight there instead of the YouTube home site.
YouTube Safety Tip#3 – Report Inappropriate Content
Many parents get frustrated with content that is STILL available with the Safe Search turned on. If you feel that, the content is violent or sexual in nature you can click on the 'report' flag and send it to YouTube. They may or may not pull the video but at least you are requiring a YouTube employee to review the video. If you do this, you are helping the thousands of parents that may have seen the same video come up during a benign YouTube search.
YouTube Safety Tip #4 – Search and Watch YouTube
It is important for kids and teenagers to learn to explore on their own. Sit by them as they search for new videos on YouTube. Highlight the video results that may not be a good fit for them. Tell them how you came to that conclusion. Teach them to understand that YouTube is a great education tool, but they have to be careful of some of the content on YouTube.
YouTube Safety Tip #5 – Be Wary of YouTube Suggestions
My kids love watching YouTube. However, any time they happened upon inappropriate content it was because they clicked through two to three rounds of YouTube 'suggested videos.' The YouTube suggestions will lead your kids to unrelated videos from their original search which may include inappropriate videos. It is better to rephrase your search 'key words' or stay within the first few pages of the original search result.
Mobile YouTube Safety Tip
What about my iTouch, Kindle, and iPad? If you have the YouTube app installed on a mobile device turn on safe search as well. In addition, if the device is dedicated for kid use I would recommend installing a restrictive YouTube application player. Search for 'YouTube for Kids' and you will see many paid and free apps that provide a restricted YouTube video player. My favorite app is Video Monster. It allows you to dynamically add content to the device, cache or download certain videos and has a passlock to update the playlist. The other applications are great, but to me seem more like a walled garden which takes the fun out of the always new content on YouTube.
So follow these tips and your kids should be that much more safe on Youtube!!
8 Responses to “YouTube Safety Tips”
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helper says: Just thought I’d help you out with a further tip sister. Download a 3rd party app called “Ad Block” which allows the user to control what it is they see on their page.
1 – With this you can even go to youtube, right click a video suggestion you see that bothers you.
2 – Click “ad block”
3 – And you will be given a meter function you can more further right to block similar suggestions or even all suggestions.
Makes life a whole lot easier and safer
Cathy, this is a problem and I’ve got a solution for this: PlayCorner TV. It is a mobile app that blocks all inappropriate YouTube content with our software. The child can browse videos on their own (everything is pictures for kids under 5 who can’t read yet, and all the videos are safe and educational. http://www.playcornertv.com
Cathy says: It’s really so very tough to truly protect our kids from YouTube. My 6 yr old (and thus, my 4 yr old) love watching Minecraft videos to learn the super cool tricks & fun things to build. Unfortunately, a lot of the videos are made by ignorant teenagers and/or adults who are anything less than careful with their language. And while sometimes, I can easily catch the MAJOR stuff (f-bombs and whatnot), others are simply inappropriate for the younger kids – in our family, anyway (stupid, idiot, sucks, sucker, etc…). I tried ZuiTube, which is FANTASTIC, but their videos are guarded enough, it wouldn’t allow Minecraft or Plants vs Zombies videos (both of which, I feel are fairly kid safe.. certainly no worse than Mario Bros “comic mischief”).
I wish there was a way to block/hide specific users.. or “show only subscribed users”. After spending many hours Googling this subject, I’ve found suggestions for several Family Friendly users (zero tolerance), and even some Family Friendly servers. Now I just need to figure out how to block the rotten ones. 
Thanks for these tips!
Cathy
Securemama, the non-profit Savvy Cyber Kids recently launched a YouTube video filter app that removes suggested videos, removes ads, and allows parents to select approved YouTube channels for kids. It is available for both Android and iPhone/iPad. Would love your feedback!!
http://www.savvycyberkids.org/Apps.aspx
Just thought I’d help you out with a further tip sister. Download a 3rd party app called “Ad Block” which allows the user to control what it is they see on their page.
1 – With this you can even go to youtube, right click a video suggestion you see that bothers you.
2 – Click “ad block”
3 – And you will be given a meter function you can more further right to block similar suggestions or even all suggestions.
Makes life a whole lot easier and safer
Thank you for the tip!
Cathy, this is a problem and I’ve got a solution for this: PlayCorner TV. It is a mobile app that blocks all inappropriate YouTube content with our software. The child can browse videos on their own (everything is pictures for kids under 5 who can’t read yet, and all the videos are safe and educational. http://www.playcornertv.com
Great App! Yes there definitely needs to be solutions in this space!
It’s really so very tough to truly protect our kids from YouTube. My 6 yr old (and thus, my 4 yr old) love watching Minecraft videos to learn the super cool tricks & fun things to build. Unfortunately, a lot of the videos are made by ignorant teenagers and/or adults who are anything less than careful with their language. And while sometimes, I can easily catch the MAJOR stuff (f-bombs and whatnot), others are simply inappropriate for the younger kids – in our family, anyway (stupid, idiot, sucks, sucker, etc…). I tried ZuiTube, which is FANTASTIC, but their videos are guarded enough, it wouldn’t allow Minecraft or Plants vs Zombies videos (both of which, I feel are fairly kid safe.. certainly no worse than Mario Bros “comic mischief”).
I wish there was a way to block/hide specific users.. or “show only subscribed users”. After spending many hours Googling this subject, I’ve found suggestions for several Family Friendly users (zero tolerance), and even some Family Friendly servers. Now I just need to figure out how to block the rotten ones.
Thanks for these tips!
Cathy
Securemama, the non-profit Savvy Cyber Kids recently launched a YouTube video filter app that removes suggested videos, removes ads, and allows parents to select approved YouTube channels for kids. It is available for both Android and iPhone/iPad. Would love your feedback!!
http://www.savvycyberkids.org/Apps.aspx
Glad You liked the post! It is difficult to filter YouTube!
I’ll check it out! thank you for the tip!