Minimum age according to Terms of Use: 13+ (to create an account or channel)

What is YouTube?

YouTube is the world’s most well-known video platform, allowing users to watch, upload, share, and comment on videos. It also offers YouTube Live for real-time broadcasting, community interaction, and channel subscriptions. While YouTube can be a great source of learning, entertainment, and creative expression for children and teens, it can also expose them to harmful content if used without supervision.

What parents should watch out for:

Inappropriate content

Despite filters and the YouTube Kids option, children can still encounter:

• Explicit language
• Sexually suggestive clips
• Violence in video games
• Age-inappropriate topics
• Fake cartoon videos with disturbing content (the “Elsagate” phenomenon)

The algorithm leads to increasingly extreme content

YouTube’s recommendation algorithm suggests videos based on viewing history, which can lead children from harmless content to:

• Conspiracy theories
• Misinformation
• Extremist content
• Sexualized videos disguised as trending formats

YouTube Live – risky because of real-time broadcasting

During live streams, children may reveal their name, school, or location, respond to comments in real time, be filmed, or be pressured into inappropriate actions. Even if the stream is later deleted, viewers may have already saved a copy.

YouTube collects user data

As part of Google, YouTube tracks user behavior—including children’s. This has led to legal cases and fines, such as a $170 million penalty in 2019 for violating children’s privacy laws in the U.S.

Advice for parents:

• Use YouTube Kids for users under 13, but regularly check what your child is watching
• Disable autoplay and clear watch history to avoid problematic content chains
• Check what channels your child is subscribed to and their favorite videos
• Talk about the comment section and teach them not to trust links or engage with suspicious users
• Use Google Family Link for screen time limits and activity tracking
• Remind them that the internet is a public space—anything uploaded can be saved, shared, or misused

Additional support and reporting:

• Helpline: 0800 200 880
• Report illegal content: www.netpatrola.rs
• Suspected online abuse: Contact the police
• Remove explicit photos: www.ncii.csi.org.rs
• Resources: www.cnzd.rs
• Free psychological and legal support: kontakt@cnzd.rs