The Hidden Dangers of the Internet

SmileKidsTV/YouTube

Why have so many parents around the US complained about their kids seeing inappropriate videos on YouTube? Maybe, it’s because the censorship meant to protect kids is focused on something else. Something like hate speeches or news articles.
Internet censorship takes multiple forms, including straight bans on websites, filtering specific content, and monitoring online activities. In some countries, access to social media platforms or news websites is entirely blocked. Others try filtering technologies to limit exposure to harmful or sensitive information, including explicit content, misinformation, and more. This sounds great, but why are the things young children see not as heavily censored?
YouTube Kids was created to create a safe online environment for children to explore and enjoy content tailored to their age group without worrying about the heavy topics on YouTube’s main site. This is crazy, though, because the platform has faced scrutiny regarding the censorship of content available. “Don’t Let Your Children Use YouTube Kids. Every Parent Should Know That YouTube Kids Is 18+, There So Much Inappropriate Stuff In It!” A consumer, Lochlan P., reviewed the app. “The People Behind These Videos Are Very Highly Skilled, They Disguise Them As Normal Family Friendly Videos! Too much violence, Too much consumerism, Too much drinking/drugs/smoking”
This raises the question of the effectiveness of measures and the implications for children’s online experiences.
If you aren’t paying attention, some of these videos seem like playful scenes featuring children’s cartoon characters.
Suppose anyone remembers the outburst of what the Gen Z generation will remember, as Momo. Almost 5 years ago a video of a creepy person telling children to, in simple terms, do different “challenges” that end up risking their lives. This was everywhere. Schools were raised with terror when kids came to school freaking out.
It took kids months to almost years to move on from it, not to mention how long it took to get off the internet. The same video still pops up if you search this on search platforms and probably social media.
The constant concerns about inappropriate content on platforms, such as YouTube Kids, show the gaps in the efficacy of online censorship intended to protect children. While efforts are in place to filter out unwholesome content, the reality is that certain problematic material can still slip through, putting young viewers at risk. This raises thoughts about priorities in censorship, especially as it affects children’s online experiences. On top of that, the block of digital censorship with restrictions on educational materials emphasizes a wider controversy about what is deemed appropriate for children to consume.