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The Top 8 Most Questionable Kids’ Content on YouTube
by Emily Carter
Updated: Jan. 16, 2021
Originally Published: Feb. 27, 2017
YouTube can feel like a double-edged sword. For me, it’s a treasure trove of makeup tutorials, endless Parks and Rec clips, and a quick reference for things my brain has conveniently forgotten—like how to boil an egg. For my kids, it’s the ultimate reward for good behavior or my last resort when I’m desperate for a moment of peace. But let’s be honest: the majority of their viewing choices are downright cringeworthy. Here’s a rundown of the most questionable content I’ve encountered as a parent on YouTube:
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Adults Creeping on Kids’ Toys
Let’s be real: this genre is the bane of my existence. These videos are like commercials, but the kind that makes you sprint from another room yelling, “Shut that nonsense off!” Adults unbox toys and frolic with them, but they all adopt the voice of an over-caffeinated tween, which does nothing for my sanity. Add in obnoxious background music and exclamations like, “This is AMAZING!” and you’ve got a recipe for ear trauma.
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Low-Budget, Pseudo-Educational Drivel
You might see a video featuring cute, cartoon letters singing the Alphabet Song and think, “How harmless!” Think again. What you’ve stumbled upon is a poorly animated mess with a soundtrack that sounds like it was recorded in a closet. Before long, your toddler will be singing, “Twinkle, Twinkle” with a twist: “…how I wonder what you are. Click that subscribe button!”
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Egg Videos—The Plague of YouTube
Who knows how kids find these, but they all do. These videos showcase hollow chocolate eggs filled with cheap toys. An adult’s hands slowly peel the foil and break the egg in a tedious build-up to reveal the mystery inside, and suddenly your kid is begging for their own—only to learn they’re from Europe. Great.
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Inappropriate Autoplay Music Videos
What’s better than a bootleg of a beloved kids’ show? Not much, until the episode wraps up and then—BAM!—you’re suddenly treated to a third-rate pop star singing about “lovaaah.” Who curated that playlist? Abort mission!
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Old Cartoons with Disturbing Racism
Remember those nostalgic cartoons from your childhood? You might want to think twice before sharing them. Classics like Looney Tunes and Tom and Jerry contain deeply offensive storylines that are jarring when viewed through an adult lens. Warning labels are now a necessity on platforms like Amazon and iTunes for good reason.
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Dubbing Over Your Kids’ Favorite Shows
Finding free episodes of popular kids’ shows on YouTube is like hunting for unicorns. So when your kid thinks they’ve struck gold, only to discover a voiceover calling Caillou’s mom a “whiny little brat,” it’s not ideal. The last thing I need is more fuel for my child’s swearing arsenal.
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Fake Versions of Beloved Movies
Fake-out videos are the worst! Nothing is more infuriating than a child excited to watch Frozen, only to be greeted by a 90-minute still image and a link to some sketchy website. You might as well invest in a compostable computer, considering how many viruses that will likely incur.
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Utter Nonsense Videos
What do you even call these? The most notorious ones feature an orange with a human face. How kids find enjoyment in this bizarre content instead of fleeing in terror is beyond me. If you make a living as a fruit demon telling corny jokes, you should probably be registered somewhere.
Now, I’m not going to suggest anything radical like monitoring your kids online, but maybe consider blocking everything except PBS and college scholarship applications right from the get-go. For more insights on safe parenting and home insemination, check out this post here.
In summary, YouTube is a vast landscape of entertainment, but it’s essential to be discerning about what your kids consume. The platform can easily lead them down paths filled with low-quality, inappropriate, or downright bizarre content. To maintain some sanity, it might be best to set strict guidelines and keep a watchful eye on their viewing habits.