Page 30 - Waterfall City Issue 2 February 2023

Waterfall City Today’s Child

“skirt the borders of their Community supervised experience account choose between private, public and
Guidelines without actually violating available for children under the unlisted.
them”. For example, the report age of 13, with a Google account 5. Auto-play: This stops videos from
pointed to the animated video managed by Family Link. This can automatically playing after one has
Woody’s Got Wood, which was actually help you manage how the app is ended, preventing further suggested
“a sexualised parody of the children’s used by giving you access to content videos from playing. To turn this on,
film, Toy Story”. settings and parental controls that go to “Watch screen on any video”,
manage the channels children then tap the auto-play switch to
An interesting point raised was can subscribe to, as well as how “Off”.
that because YouTube’s algorithm long they can spend on the app. 6. Create playlists: Playlists help you
recommends content based on what Information on how to set this up manage the videos your younger
it determines users are interested in, can be found on YouTube’s advice child can watch. It is recommended
it often suggests videos that reinforce page. that you watch videos before your
existing ideas or beliefs. For teens still 2. Restricted mode: This will help to child does in order to ensure that
forming their own ideas, beliefs and filter out inappropriate videos, but they are appropriate, and then add
values, these rabbit holes or “echo due to the volume of videos on the them (or not) to the new playlist.
chambers” made up of one-sided platform, it isn’t 100% effective. This To add a video to the playlist, select
perspectives can be dangerous. Many feature can be enabled on “Settings” “Save” at the bottom of the video
will also argue that this phenomenon and by clicking on “Restricted and select the playlist or choose to
(which is not unique to YouTube) fuels mode” on the drop-down menu at create a new playlist.
the increasingly polarised culture we the bottom of the screen. Change
find ourselves in. the option to “On” and click on YouTube Kids is a separate app and
“Save”. website that offers more filters and
What can parents do? 3. Custom password: You can set up restrictions to prevent children from
If your child has posted nude videos a custom password to prevent your being exposed to inappropriate
or photos of themself online, Childline child from accessing your parental content. There are also additional
and the Internet Watch Foundation controls and making changes. To parental controls available, depending
(IWF) have created a tool called Report do this, tap on the “Lock” icon and on children’s ages. You can even create
Remove for young people under choose “Set my own password”. individual user profiles for more than
the age of 18. It provides steps to 4. Save videos to private: If your one child.
determine if the image can be removed child is posting videos, talk to them
from online platforms and prevent about setting the content they Remember: Controls are never 100%
further sharing. upload to “Private”, so that only their effective, so it’s essential that you
subscribers or followers can view the supervise what your children are
British child protection charity the videos. Also, talk to them about who watching, especially when they are
National Society for the Prevention of is allowed to follow or subscribe to younger. Teaching them how to stay
Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) lists six their channel. Set this by going to safe in an online world is a critical
features to help ensure your child’s “Library” and selecting your videos, parental responsibility, and guidance is
safety on YouTube. then click on “Select more” and easy to find online.
1. Supervision: YouTube has a “Visibility”, and you will be able to Resources: https://www.nspcc.org.uk

28 Waterfall City Issue 2 2023