This Is Why You Have To Know What Your Kids Watch On YouTube

It can be so hard to keep up with what our kids are doing online, especially when it comes to things they are watching on the likes of YouTube.

If you are anything like me, you hadn’t heard of Logan Paul until the recent controversy surrounding one of his videos. (Trigger Warning: You can read about that here but please note subject may be disturbing for some readers as it involves suicide).

Luckily my kids don’t follow Logan Paul (they are too busy watching funny cats and other people playing Minecraft) however I have friends whose kids follow him and they hadn’t heard of him either.

This sheds an important light on what our kids could be watching without our knowledge, particularly tweens and teens who are more likely to resist and resent parental controls, seeing them an invasion of privacy.

Aside from interrogation, helicoptering or an all out-screen ban, it can be hard to know what to do. In an ideal world, parents would be abreast of current social media trends, using this knowledge to connect and start a dialogue with our kids about what they are viewing.

But what parent has time to spend scouring YouTube like a teenager?

Enter Common Sense Media.*

This website is a lifesaver when parenting in the technological age.

According to the Mission Statement on the website:

Common Sense is the leading independent nonprofit organization dedicated to helping kids thrive in a world of media and technology. We empower parents, teachers, and policymakers by providing unbiased information, trusted advice, and innovative tools to help them harness the power of media and technology as a positive force in all kids’ lives.

Now this site has it all when it comes to what’s happening in media right now. You do have to sign in to view all content (to verify your age) but there are no fees or charges.

Some of the great stuff includes:

Family Guides – Essential books, movies, TV shows, apps, special needs, and K-5 recommendations, all broken down into age brackets.

Parents Concerns – Information and advice on cyber bulling, screen addiction, privacy/online safety, body image & lots more.

Reviews – Reviews by experts and other parents of apps, games, movies, TV and YouTube channels.

This last section is especially awesome as it gives you a comprehensive guide of what’s popular with kids right now so you can get up to speed and stay informed (while not actually having to watch hours of YouTube!)

Keeping abreast of what your kids are interested in is a great way to stay connected, start conversations and help them to think critically about the media they consume.

*This post is not sponsored. School Mum just wanted to share this great resource!

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