Published: October 1, 2024
Photo by Christian Wiediger via Unsplash
YouTube Might Be Harming Your Kids More Than You Realize
By Movieguide® Contributor
YouTube could be causing more harm to your children than you realize.
A study conducted in South Korea, where 90% of primary school students have smartphones, found that “21.0% of children began using YouTube before the age of 4, with the most common starting age being between 8 and 9 years (30.3%).”
“These children used YouTube on average 4.8 days a week for 68.5 minutes per day,” he noted.
The result? “…younger age at first use of YouTube and higher frequency of use were significantly associated with an increase in emotional/behavioral problems,” explained the study.
“Infancy and early childhood are associated with high neuroplasticity; Therefore, exposure to digital media during this period may have significant and irreversible effects on neurodevelopment and behavioral outcomes,” explained News Medical Life Sciences.
These effects include “poorer thinking, delayed language skills, and impaired emotional and behavioral regulation. “Frequent use of smartphones can also harm a child’s self-control, thus increasing their risk of addiction.”
another study found that “YouTube users are the most likely to have worse mental health outcomes.”
How can parents help their children manage YouTube use?
CNET explains that parents can use Family Link, an app that can filter content and manage children’s screen time.
“Family Link allows you to connect new or existing Google accounts for your child. For children under 13, you can register a new account, and Family Link allows you to use parental controls and monitoring on existing accounts for children of any age,” said the middle.
“With your child’s YouTube app access linked to yours, you can set limits on screen time, content, or bedtime. You will be able to monitor what videos they watch and how often, whether in
