YouTube recently settled with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) over their allegations of not protecting children’s privacy. As a part of the settlement, the Google-owned company will pay a fine of $136 million to the FTC and $34 million to the state of New York for violating their Children's Online Privacy Protection Act.
Additionally, the FTC has made YouTube liable to make several adjustments in their policy to ensure children-appropriate content is shown on their platform while ensuring their protection as well. However, YouTube admits that, as a result of the changes, the creators of children-friendly content may suffer financially.
YouTube has also announced an investment of $100 million for the creation of original children’s content. The fund, distributed over a span of three years, will be used to create child-appropriate content for both – YouTube and YouTube Kids worldwide. The CEO of YouTube, Susan Wojcicki says that they will share more information about their plans in the weeks ahead.
She also claims that the company is working on ways to improve the family experience on their platform while addressing the questions raised during the FTC remains to be their top priority.
In fact, the company has begun working on the improvements for a few months. Just last month, YouTube expanded its child safety policy to remove any content that might mislead the young children.
Promotional content is also being comprehensively scrutinized by the platform. For example, there are several videos where the scenario of kids playing with toys is a bait to promote the brand and lead them to make payments. The young minds of children are usually unaware that the videos are promotional or for their entertainment purpose only.
Concerns regarding child labor laws are also circulating the news where some parents are exploiting their children for views (and income) on YouTube and even taking part in child abuse.
Along with YouTube, the FTC is also working on ways to improve the family experience on the World Wide Web. The regulation body is also hosting a workshop in October where they will enlighten the audience regarding child privacy and encourage them to develop kid-safe platforms.
Photo: AP / Jenny Kane
Read next: YouTube kids now available on the web
Additionally, the FTC has made YouTube liable to make several adjustments in their policy to ensure children-appropriate content is shown on their platform while ensuring their protection as well. However, YouTube admits that, as a result of the changes, the creators of children-friendly content may suffer financially.
YouTube has also announced an investment of $100 million for the creation of original children’s content. The fund, distributed over a span of three years, will be used to create child-appropriate content for both – YouTube and YouTube Kids worldwide. The CEO of YouTube, Susan Wojcicki says that they will share more information about their plans in the weeks ahead.
She also claims that the company is working on ways to improve the family experience on their platform while addressing the questions raised during the FTC remains to be their top priority.
In fact, the company has begun working on the improvements for a few months. Just last month, YouTube expanded its child safety policy to remove any content that might mislead the young children.
Promotional content is also being comprehensively scrutinized by the platform. For example, there are several videos where the scenario of kids playing with toys is a bait to promote the brand and lead them to make payments. The young minds of children are usually unaware that the videos are promotional or for their entertainment purpose only.
Concerns regarding child labor laws are also circulating the news where some parents are exploiting their children for views (and income) on YouTube and even taking part in child abuse.
Along with YouTube, the FTC is also working on ways to improve the family experience on the World Wide Web. The regulation body is also hosting a workshop in October where they will enlighten the audience regarding child privacy and encourage them to develop kid-safe platforms.
Photo: AP / Jenny Kane
Read next: YouTube kids now available on the web
