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YouTube Cracks Down on Weird Content Aimed at Kids

posted by Fnord666 on Saturday November 11 2017, @01:12PM   Printer-friendly
from the there's-always-someone dept.

takyon writes:

YouTube to crack down on inappropriate content masked as kids' cartoons

Recent news stories and blog posts highlighted the underbelly of YouTube Kids, Google's children-friendly version of the wide world of YouTube. While all content on YouTube Kids is meant to be suitable for children under the age of 13, some inappropriate videos using animations, cartoons, and child-focused keywords manage to get past YouTube's algorithms and in front of kids' eyes. Now, YouTube will implement a new policy in an attempt to make the whole of YouTube safer: it will age-restrict inappropriate videos masquerading as children's content in the main YouTube app.

[...] Also, all age-restricted content is not eligible for advertising, which will undoubtedly hit the wallets of the creators making these videos. While it's hard to understand why anyone would make a video about Peppa Pig drinking bleach or a bunch of superheroes and villains participating in a cartoonish yet violent "nursery rhyme," it's been a decent way to make money on YouTube. Some of these videos have amassed hundreds of thousands (and sometimes millions) of views, gleaning ad dollars and channel popularity.

Check the related videos to see some bizarre clickbait. Some are even live action skits performed by adults.

Are we doing enough to traumatize our kids?

Also at The Verge and Medium.

Related: YouTube's "Ad-Friendly" Content Policy may Push one of its Biggest Stars off the Site
Google Fails to Stop Major Brands From Pulling Ads From YouTube

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  • (Score: 0, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday November 11 2017, @03:09PM (1 child)

    by Anonymous Coward on Saturday November 11 2017, @03:09PM (#595589)


    10 American citizens, walking on the street.
    One went berserk, and shot another dead.
    The police came and shot the perp dead!
    Then the mayor came, and the mayor said:
    plenty more Americans, walking on the street.

    8 American citizens, walking on the street
    ...
    etc. etc.

    Yes, you're doing enough to traumatize your kids.

    (I didn't say it was a good troll song)

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  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday November 11 2017, @05:28PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Saturday November 11 2017, @05:28PM (#595648)

    Well, the black population of the United States is more like 13% than 20%, but otherwise point taken.