Parents : The Importance of Discussing YouTube with Your Children

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Are you a parent? If that’s the case, is your offspring mature enough to navigate the web? If you have a kid in high school or even middle school, there is a strong possibility that you feel concerned about online safety, which is a valid concern. There are numerous websites available online, including YouTube, that attract the attention of your children. The issue with these platforms lies in the fact that, if they are not utilized correctly, they can pose risks. This is why it is recommended to have conversations with your kids about well-known online sites, including YouTube. 

When parents contemplate the topic of YouTube with their kids, many are curious about what YouTube actually is. If you haven't encountered YouTube or accessed it before, it's advisable to check it out prior to discussing it with your children. By visiting the YouTube platform, you will discover that it functions as a site for sharing videos. Individuals aged thirteen and older can create a free account on YouTube. Once an account is set up, users can view videos, provide ratings, interact with other members, and upload their own content online. 

In terms of safety regarding YouTube, the primary emphasis should be on the aspects of uploading and sharing videos, but it’s equally crucial to address the viewing of videos. There exist various YouTube videos that may contain adult themes. Even though YouTube aims to categorize these videos in some way, not all of them are appropriately labeled. It is essential to remind your child that they are still quite young. You might also consider imposing restrictions on the kinds of videos they are allowed to view. For example, it is very feasible to locate educational videos on YouTube, such as instructional guides. Encouraging your children to watch such content can be beneficial, as they may gain knowledge at the same time.

As mentioned before, the primary concern should be the video uploading aspect on YouTube. In previous times, many YouTube users shared videos that incorporated segments from their beloved films, TV series, or music videos. Due to issues surrounding copyright, YouTube is attempting to reduce the prevalence of such uploads, as they are indeed unlawful without the necessary approvals. It may be worthwhile to explain this concept to your kids, as they may not have a clear understanding of copyrights and their implications. Typically, if your kids upload a video to YouTube without proper authorization, that video is likely to be taken down; however, as more companies grow increasingly frustrated with their intellectual property being shared online, more stringent measures could be implemented. 

It is essential that you discuss safety with your children when they share a video on YouTube or create one intended for the platform. A common type of content that many young individuals, including those in high school, are producing is video blogs. These video blogs resemble conventional written blogs, chronicling events in an individual’s life, but they utilize a video format. However, the downside to video blogging is that numerous YouTube users appear directly in front of the camera, revealing their faces for all to view. Although this can seem safe, providing excessive personal information while showing your face is not. It is important to inform your children never to disclose their full names, home addresses, or phone numbers, including mobile numbers, under any circumstances. 

Additionally, it is suggested that you educate your children about the risks of online predators. While YouTube users can communicate with one another, the risks posed by online predators are not as significant as those found on conventional social networks like MySpace, but the danger is still present. Inform your children that you do not want them engaging in conversations with other YouTube users, as they cannot be certain about who is on the other side of the screen. If you and your children cannot come to a consensus, you might consider restricting access to the YouTube site on your devices.