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Comment by webwanderings | Hacker News Reader

Do everything possible to make sure they stay away from YouTube, particularly their YT for kids app.

Can you elaborate on why YT for kids app is bad? Long time ago, I tried to develop a similar app (kidsfriend.ly) which provides safe videos from YT but failed to do so because it's impossible to control that Ads YT added during the watching.

I think in terms of safety there are bigger fish to fry than YT.

There certainly are bigger fish, but YT is an easy one to stop while working on those bigger fish.

I suppose if you only pick a single site to block for your kids, you get the most bang for your buck by blocking YT.

You'd be better off blocking a bunch of porn and gore than something with relatively less 18plus content. And why YT Kids of all apps. Isn't that tailored for younger audiences

My issue with YT kids is that there is a lot of weird content that feeds into screen addiction. I’ve never seen porn, but seen rotting animals, conspiracy theories, and lots of annoying, asshole kids constantly talking over mundane tasks. Not so bad in small bursts, but with hours and hours it’s a bad influence on kids.

And of course, the ads are terrible.

My problem is that it is tailored for young audiences.

It depends on the age of the kids, and personal situation of course. But as an app specifically targeted for kids - particularly by a big company - it is the absolute worst possible thing on the Internet.

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