Media use by young childrenWhy children should not use YouTube unsupervised
Even babies and toddlers come into contact with screen media - be it via their parents' smartphone, their sibling's tablet or the TV in the living room. Sometimes a clip on the children's website or video episodes in media libraries, streaming portals or even on the world's largest video platform - YouTube. The range of videos for young children is huge. However, the YouTube platform is not suitable for children and harbors risks: disturbing content, manipulative advertising or problematic trends are just some of the challenges that parents should be aware of. The YouTube Kids app specifically offers content that is more suitable for children. However, there are also videos on YouTube Kids that appear harmless on the preview image but still contain sexualized content or violence, as reported by Saarländischer Rundfunk, for example.
Unsuitable videos
Disturbing content is repeatedly uploaded to the video platform. Some videos give the impression that they are aimed at children, but the scenes shown are more than unsuitable for children. Due to the keywording with a large number of terms that appear in connection with content that is actually suitable for children, it is very easy for children to become aware of an inappropriate video based on a harmless video. However, the videos are also problematic because the current role models and heroes of many children are instrumentalized and used to convey harmful content to children. The behaviors shown by the protagonists could also encourage younger children to imitate them due to their popularity.
Current findings from the miniKIM study 2023
Since 2020, two to five-year-olds' personal access to smart devices has increased. One in five young children now has their own tablet and one in tenhas a cell phone or smartphone. The study found that 23% of two to five-year-olds use at least one internet-enabled device such as a smartphone, tablet, laptop or voice assistant every day. If media libraries, streaming services, computer games or apps are included, this figure rises to 44%.
There is no quality control of the content
One of the best-known children's series that is repeatedly criticized in this context is Cocomelon. The Cocomelon series has established itself as one of the most-watched children's shows on YouTube. With currently 192 million subscribers, the Cocomelon channel is currently the third most subscribed channel on YouTube and reaches two billion views per month. The series shows stories of various animated cartoon characters for young viewers aged between two and five, which are designed to promote an understanding of numbers, colors, animals and social skills through music and simple stories. For many parents, Cocomelon therefore seems to be a safe choice to keep their toddlers occupied and musically stimulated. However, the use of such series also harbors risks. Many experts criticize the fact that the content in Cocomelon and similar formats often has very repetitive structures and uses an "over-stimulating design", which can trigger addictive behaviour. Although the constant repetition of simple melodies and phrases can capture the attention of young children in the short term, it can also make it difficult for them to focus their attention on other, less stimulating activities. These children's shows also try to keep young viewers engaged by using bright colors and quick cuts. The consequences: The attention span of adolescents is shortened in the long term. They become more impatient, restless and can no longer regulate themselves in an age-appropriate manner. Especially in early childhood, when neuronal connections are still being established, excessive media use can impair natural learning behavior.
YouTube's ad-financed business model also has an impact on the quality of the video content. In addition to educationally valuable videos, there are therefore also many videos with commercial content (hidden marketing and product placements) as well as paid advertisements before the videos. Younger children are particularly unlikely to recognize commercial clips with well-known characters from children's programmes as advertising. Children under the age of seven should therefore use ad-free services in safe surfing areas that are specially adapted to their developmental stage and viewing habits.
Do not use YouTube & Co. as a babysitter
Even in harmless children's series, there can be moments that can frighten or disturb a child. Therefore, young children should never watch series alone. Screen time now and then is nothing reprehensible. However, YouTube is not suitable for children. YouTube use poses numerous risks for young children that parents should be aware of:
- Overstimulation: the rapid succession of scenes, bright colors and constant noise can overstimulate young children's brains. In the long term, this overstimulation can lead to concentration problems and a reduced ability to focus on quieter, less stimulating activities such as playing outside or reading a book.
- Lack of social interaction: Unlike physical play or interaction with other children or adults, watching YouTube videos offers little opportunity for active participation. Young children learn best through interaction and imitation, which is why passive media consumption can inhibit social learning and language development.
- Problematic content and advertising: Even though YouTube now offers a platform specially developed for children with "YouTube Kids", the risk of young children coming across unsuitable content has not been completely eliminated. The platform's children's channels are generally harmless, but there is still the possibility that videos with inappropriate content or advertising for products that are unsuitable for the target group will be played.
- Risk of addiction and unhealthy habits: Young children who watch YouTube videos regularly, unaccompanied and without time limits can develop an addiction. The constant availability of content, overstimulation and lack of supervision make it difficult to keep media use within healthy limits. Studies have shown that young children who spend too much time in front of screens have a higher risk of developing behavioral problems or sleep disorders later on.
How can parents responsibly supervise screen use?
Media selection for young children should be carried out by adults and not automatically. For young children in particular, a manageable range of media and a small amount of educationally valuable content is sufficient. Parents should agree on the times for media use. Shared media use is important to enable children to get to know the media world safely for the first time. Low-color, low-contrast, slowly edited videos are particularly recommended. It is particularly important to limitmedia consumption for babies and toddlers, as they are in important cognitive development phases. Parents should set a good example in media use themselves and consciously refrain from using media in the presence of their children. A balanced mix of digital and real, interactive experiences remains the key to healthy child development.
5 tips for young children's screen use:
- Screen-free under three: The German Society for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine recommends that children up to the age of three should avoid screen media if possible; picture books and audio games or music are better. From three to six years, children should use media for a maximum of 30 minutes a day, but not necessarily every day. They should not be left alone.
- Accompanying use: It is advisable to accompany young children when watching videos to ensure that the content is really age-appropriate, to be available for questions and to directly address emotions such as fear, insecurity or being overwhelmed. Parents can talk to their children specifically about what they have seen in order to stimulate discussion.
- Encourage varied activities: It is important that screen media is not the only source of entertainment for young children. Playing with friends, creative activities or reading and singing together should take up the majority of children's everyday lives.
- Alternatives to YouTube: If you still want to introduce your toddlers to a children's series once in a while, you should switch on ad-free and educationally valuable offerings, such as ZDFchen, Kikaninchen or the WDR's Sendung mit dem Elefanten.
- Educational recommendations: The FLIMMO guide helps parents to keep track of the wealth of offers and make age-appropriate choices. The traffic light shows at a glance whether a movie, series or channel on YouTube is suitable for children or not - and if so, from what age. Educational assessments make it clear what children like about a movie or series, what can be problematic and what parents should pay particular attention to.
Easter special at FLIMMO
There is a lot on offer around Easter on television, streaming providers and in media libraries. That's why FLIMMO has put together a list of recommended films and series for all ages.
