YouTube Could Be Harming Your Kids More Than You Realize
By Movieguide® Contributor
YouTube could be doing more damage to your kids than you realize.
A study conducted in South Korea where 90% of elementary school students have smartphones found that “21.0% of children started using YouTube before age 4, with the most common onset age being 8–9 years (30.3%).”
“These children used YouTube on average 4.8 days per week for 68.5 min per day,” it noted.
The result? “…a younger age at first YouTube use and higher usage frequency were significantly associated with increased emotional/behavioral problems,” the study explained.
“Infancy and early childhood are associated with high neuroplasticity; therefore, digital media exposure during this period can have significant and irreversible effects on neurodevelopment and behavioral outcomes,” News Medical Life Sciences explained.
These effects include “poorer thinking, delayed language skills, and impaired emotional and behavioral regulation. Frequent use of smartphones may also damage the child’s self-control, thereby increasing their risk of addiction.”
Another study found that “YouTube users are the most likely to have poorer mental health outcomes.”
How can parents help their kids manage YouTube use?
CNET explains that parents can set use Family Link, an app that can filter content and manage kids’ screen time.
“Family Link lets you connect new or existing Google accounts for your child. For kids under age 13, you can register a new account, and Family Link allows you to use parental controls and supervision on existing accounts for children of any age,” the outlet said.
“With your kid’s YouTube app access tethered to yours, you can then set boundaries for screen time, content or bedtime. You’ll be able to monitor what videos they watch and how often, whether it’s on the regular YouTube app, YouTube Kids or YouTube Music.”
However, one of the best ways to mitigate the impact YouTube has on your children is to cut back on screen time in general.
Movieguide® recently reported how cutting screen time in half changed one teen’s life:
A survey conducted by BBC Radio 5 found that 23% of teenagers agree that smartphones should be banned for under-16s, and 35% think social media should be banned for under-16s.
Violet’s family has noticed the change and is now encouraging parents to have conversations with their own kids about putting their phones down.
“My view was that all children go on their phones and it was part of fitting in and being connected to the modern world,” Violet’s father, James, said. “But it probably was impacting her welfare, from speaking to her afterwards.”
He urged parents to “open up the debate” and look at their own screen time — “Could that time be spent elsewhere doing quality things with your children?”
Dr. Scott Roth, a psychologist and the founder and clinical director at Applied Psychological Services of New Jersey, told Parents.com that parents should cut down on the amount of time they spend on screens if they want their kids to do the same.
“A great intervention for parents is developing awareness,” he explained. “Your child actually might become your teacher and tell you ‘why do I have to get off of my screen when you are always staring at yours’?”
