Children being 'sedated' by algorithmic YouTube content, MPs hear

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UK Children's TV Experts Sound Alarm Over Sedentary Algorithm-Driven Content

The UK's children laureate, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, has warned that an alarming amount of children's programming on YouTube is not engaging young minds but rather "sedating" them. He described the show as being devoid of stimulation and nourishment, failing to offer the same sense of entertainment that previous generations enjoyed.

Research suggests that repetition and slowness are good for young children, helping build familiarity and making life navigable. However, these qualities have been largely lost in today's algorithm-driven YouTube content, which instead bombards children with an endless stream of information.

The fragmented media landscape has resulted in a loss of shared culture, leaving children with a sense of individual anxiety and disconnection from their peers. The lack of national unity and identity that once came with watching the same shows is now absent, replaced by a world of "anxiety factories".

Children's TV experts, including Greg Childs OBE, director of the Children's Media Foundation, agree that the industry is "broken" and UK production companies are struggling to survive. The dominant platform, YouTube, has captured the attention of young audiences but fails to replace the curated system of content that once existed.

YouTube's algorithm-driven recommendation system has also been criticized for perpetuating a "creator economy" that favors advertising over new content. This has resulted in creators receiving significantly less revenue than other types of content producers, despite the platform earning £700m from children's advertising last year.

Childs urged the government to intervene and force YouTube to act in the public interest, with a proposed "form of regulation and ratings system" that would enable parents to curate what their children watch. He also suggested using AI to rate content and prioritize "public service content", "BBC content", or "content of value".

The industry is now calling on the government to commit to funding children's TV through a renewal of the young audiences fund, with Childs proposing that this could be funded in part by a streamers' levy. The key message from experts is that collaboration with platforms rather than confrontation is needed to create better content for children.
 
I mean, it's not like kids are actually missing out on something amazing on YouTube 🤷‍♀️... but seriously, who knew algorithm-driven content could be so "sedating" 😴? Like, isn't the point of kids' TV to entertain and educate them or what? It seems like we're just giving them a never-ending stream of info overload instead of actual fun stuff 📺. And don't even get me started on the creator economy 🤑... it's all about the benjamins, not the content quality 💸. Can't we just have a nice, old-fashioned TV show without the constant algorithm updates and ads? 🙄
 
🤔 OMG I'm like totally confused about what's going on here... so these kids' TV show people are saying that all the shows on YouTube are boring and not good for kids? 📺 But doesn't YouTube have all those cute cartoons and kid-friendly channels?! 🤷‍♀️ I mean, my little cousins love watching PewDiePie and other YouTubers. And isn't YouTube just a big platform where creators can share their content and get followers?! 🤯 Like, what's not to like about that? 😂 But seriously, it sounds like some of these experts are saying that the algorithm is messing with everything and not letting creators make good content anymore... 🤔
 
I think its crazy how much kids are being affected by all this algorithm-driven stuff on YouTube 🤯. Its like they're getting spoon-fed info 24/7 and not even getting a chance to explore their own creativity. I mean, who needs that kinda stimulation? 🙄 We should be worried about the impact it has on their mental health and social skills... its like we're creating whole generations of anxious kids 🤔. The experts are right, something needs to change and the government needs to step in 🚨. Can't just sit back and let YouTube dictate what's best for our future gen 💡.
 
its crazy how much our kids are getting manipulated into watching endless vids of cartoons & kid-friendly content just to keep them glued to screens... dont get me wrong, im all for quality kids entertainment but this algorithm-driven stuff is like a never-ending loop of the same old thing 🙄. like, what happened to good ol' fashioned stories about friendship, adventure, and learning?
 
🤔 algorithm-driven content is like poison for kids, they need more playtime and less YouTube 📺😴. What's the point of watching endless videos when you can have a ball in the park or paint something creative? The UK needs to regulate these platforms before it's too late 🚨
 
I feel like these guys are being kinda harsh on YouTube 😒. I mean, sure, the algorithm can get a bit out of control, but it's not all bad news 🤔. The creators are still getting paid from ads and whatnot, just not as much as they'd want. And let's be real, most kids these days are glued to their screens anyway 📺. Maybe instead of blaming YouTube, we should be looking at how parents can be more involved in curating content for their little ones 🤝. I mean, if we're talking about creating a "form of regulation and ratings system", shouldn't that be on the parents' shoulders too? 😊 It's not all doom and gloom, folks! We just need to find that balance between tech and traditional values 🌈.
 
🤯 I'm so worried about our little ones watching all these sedated shows on YouTube 📺. My 6-year-old just sits there staring at the screen for hours, it's like they're in a trance 😴. I know research says repetition is good, but this is different - they're not even getting any stimulation or learning from it 🤔. It's like we're creating a whole generation of kids who are anxious and disconnected from each other 🌪️. We need to get the government to step in and regulate YouTube, like Childs said 👊. I just want my child to be able to watch something fun and educational without feeling like they're missing out on everything else 📚💡.
 
omg u guys, i told u so... 🤯 youtube has been poisoning our kids minds for years and no one's done anything about it. all this algorithm-driven content is like, zzz... they're not even learning any valuable stuff, just a bunch of repetitive rubbish designed to keep them glued to the screen. and now these experts are coming forward saying we need more regulation? um yeah, duh! 🙄 we need someone to hold youtube accountable for putting profits over our kids' well-being. and btw, what's up with this creator economy where they're making bank off ads but creators aren't getting a fair share? it's all about the benjamins, folks... 💸
 
OMG I'm so down with Frank Cottrell-Boyce and Greg Childs OBE on this one 🙌. As a parent myself, I can vouch for the fact that my little ones are glued to their screens all day long, and it's not just because they're addicted to cartoons 😂. They're actually being starved of good content that would stimulate their young minds! The algorithm-driven thing is wild - have you seen how much repetition there is on YouTube? It's like they're trying to lull kids into a never-ending sleep fest 🛋️.

I mean, I'm all for creators making money off their streams, but come on, £700m from children's ads? That's some crazy numbers 💸. And what really gets me is the lack of regulation - it's like YouTube is doing whatever it wants and parents are just expected to keep an eye on things 🤷‍♀️.

I think Frank Cottrell-Boyce has a solid plan with the proposed ratings system and AI-powered content rating...but we need more than just proposals, we need ACTION 🚨. The government needs to step in and make some real changes ASAP 💪.
 
🤔 I think its kinda weird that all these kids are stuck on YouTube 24/7 and not even getting some good old-fashioned playtime or outdoor activities. Thats what used to be best for them, you know? Not just sitting in front of a screen watching the same old shows over and over again. And now its like their parents dont even care anymore... I mean what about education and stuff? Can we not just have some decent kids content that actually teaches something new every now and then? 📺💡
 
🤔 I'm really concerned about what's going on with kids' YouTube content. It's like they're missing out on all the fun stuff! 🎉 I think it's a big problem because when you're stuck watching endless info vids, it can be super boring and not very stimulating for little brains 🧠.

I've seen my own kiddos get hooked on these algorithm-driven shows, and it's like they're just repeating what they see all day long. Where's the creativity? The imagination? 😴 It's no wonder they're feeling anxious and disconnected from others when they're stuck in that sedate world 🌫️.

The idea of a "creator economy" is just ridiculous - if creators are getting paid so much less than other content makers, it's like the platform is prioritizing profits over what's actually good for kids 🤑. I think Frank Cottrell-Boyce and Greg Childs OBE have a point when they say the industry is broken and needs some serious intervention 🔩.

Maybe instead of just complaining about it, we should be supporting better content creators who are making shows that inspire and engage kids in a more positive way 🌟. And yeah, a "form of regulation" and ratings system sounds like a good idea to me too - parents need help knowing what their little ones are watching, and creators deserve some support too 💸
 
omg I'm so down for frank cottrell-boyce's warning about algorithm-driven kids content!!! 🤯 it makes total sense, I mean who hasn't gotten lost in an endless loop of videos on youtube as a kid? and now we're worried about our younger generation being sedated by it 😴💤 but seriously though, the lack of national unity and identity is super concerning. I feel like my childhood was all about watching the same shows with my friends and family and feeling like part of something bigger 📺👫 can't we get back to that?
 
OMG, I'm like totally concerned about this 😱! The fact that algorithm-driven YouTube content is having such a negative impact on kids' mental health and cognitive development is just heartbreaking 🤕. Our little ones deserve so much better than just endless screens of bland, formulaic shows that don't even engage them intellectually 📺. I mean, what's wrong with some good old-fashioned creative storytelling and diverse representation? 🌈 We need to get the gov involved ASAP to regulate YouTube and ensure that kid-friendly content is made with love and care ❤️. Can you imagine if we had a "streamers' levy" to fund more high-quality kids' content? That would be, like, totally awesome 💸! Let's make some noise and demand better for our kiddos 📢 #KidsContentMatters #AlgorithmicBlues #YouTubeRegulationPlease
 
Wow 😮, I'm surprised they're finally talking about how algorithms are affecting kids' content on YouTube! It's interesting 👀 how the industry is acknowledging their own role in creating a sedentary and anxiety-inducing environment for young minds. 💻 A "form of regulation" to ensure parents can curate what their kids watch? That sounds like a good start 🙏!
 
I mean, think about it... 🤔 if kids are getting sedated by all this algorithm-driven content, doesn't that sound kinda good? Like, if they can just chill and relax all day, no more worrying about school or social stuff... 😴 I'm not saying it's all bad, but maybe we should be looking at this from a different angle. 🤷‍♂️
 
🤔 I'm getting all nostalgic thinking about when my kids used to watch BBC shows and they'd actually play outside, you know? Nowadays it's like they're stuck in some sort of algorithm-driven bubble, never having to interact with real people or get a little tired... it's just not healthy 🤕. Frank Cottrell-Boyce is spot on, the industry has lost its way and parents are at their wit's end trying to figure out what to watch for the little ones. I mean, remember when we had shows like Blue Peter and they'd actually teach us stuff? 😊 Now it's all about short-form content and ad revenue... it's just not right 🤦‍♂️. I think the government needs to step in and regulate YouTube, make them prioritize quality over profit 🤑. And what's with this "creator economy" that favors ads over actual content creation? It's like they're saying less is more, but not when it comes to kids' entertainment 😒. Let's bring back some good old-fashioned British know-how and get our kids watching shows that promote creativity and learning, not just mindless scrolling 📺.
 
Dude, I'm so done with YouTube's algorithm-driven content 🤯. My kid spends hours watching kids' shows and it's like they're stuck in a never-ending loop of boredom 😴. Where's the excitement? The adventure? The learning? It's all just repetitive, formulaic stuff that's designed to keep them entertained but not engaged 💔.

And don't even get me started on the creator economy 🤑. I mean, sure, it's cool that creators can make a living off their content, but at what cost? They're basically being paid to produce more and more ads, which just means less quality content for our kids 👎.

I love Frank Cottrell-Boyce's idea of using AI to rate content and prioritize public service stuff 🤖. That would be a game-changer, dude. And I'm all for the government stepping in to regulate YouTube and ensure that our kids are getting the best possible content 🙌.

But here's the thing: we need to stop blaming YouTube and start taking responsibility as parents 👵🏻. We're the ones who let our kids spend hours on their screens every day, and we need to be more mindful of what they're watching 📺.

Let's work together to create a better future for our kids, one where they can enjoy engaging, educational content that actually stimulates their minds 💡. Anything less is just not good enough 😐.
 
🤔 I mean, think about it... we're always told that the kids need more stimulation and more activity, but then we go and flood them with an endless stream of info on YouTube 📺💻. It's like our minds are trying to keep up with the algorithm, not the other way around 😅. And now Frank Cottrell-Boyce is saying that it's actually making kids sedate instead of stimulating? That doesn't add up to me... 🤷‍♂️ What we need is some quality content that encourages creativity and play, not just a bunch of info-dumping on the younglings 📚.
 
🤯 I'm low-key worried about what's happening to kids on YouTube 📺 They're getting too much info and not enough stimulation 🤔 It's like they're stuck in an endless loop of ads and noise 🚫 Frank Cottrell-Boyce is right, we need more curated content that's good for young minds 🧠 The algorithm-driven system is just perpetuating the problem 🔄 #ChildrensTVMatters #YouTubeReform #KidSafetyFirst
 
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