What to Do If Your Child Watches Inappropriate Videos on YouTube

When YouTube Becomes a Worry Instead of a Treat

You're exhausted. The backpack is dumped in the hallway, dinner’s on, and your child is already on the couch — eyes glued to a tablet, giggling or staring a little too intently. You glance over and suddenly realize the video playing isn’t something meant for a 10-year-old. Maybe it’s aggressive, disturbing, overly sexualized, or just sets a tone you don't want shaping your child’s worldview. Your stomach drops.

If you've been there, you're not alone. Platforms like YouTube, despite their vast educational potential, often expose our children to content they aren't ready for. And sometimes, kids stumble into these corners of the internet innocently — thanks to autoplay, misleading thumbnails, or curiosity they can't yet explain.

Pause, Breathe, Listen: Your Reaction Matters

The first step is not technological — it's emotional. Your child’s growing brain is wired to explore. Finding content that’s “not for them” doesn’t make them bad or broken; it makes them... well, human. Reacting with anger or shame might trigger secrecy instead of trust. The more powerful approach is to stay calm and curious.

Say something like, “Hmm, that video doesn’t seem like it’s made for kids your age. Can we talk about what you saw?” or “What made you click on that? Were you curious or did it pop up by itself?” Start a conversation, not a confrontation.

Understand How These Videos Reach Your Child

YouTube’s algorithm wasn’t designed with children in mind — and that’s where the issue often begins. These algorithms suggest content based on what’s popular, what's retained attention, or what’s been clicked on most after similar videos. That can go downhill fast.

Even on YouTube Kids, inappropriate content can occasionally slip through, with some videos disguising disturbing material behind innocent thumbnails or character names (a phenomenon known as "Elsagate" in its early form). It helps to understand what these dangers look like so you know what you're guarding against.

Build a Safer YouTube Experience: Not Perfect, But Better

Once emotions settle, it's time to act. You can’t wrap your child in bubble wrap, but you can shape the environment they explore.

Here are a few practical moves:

• Enable YouTube Restricted Mode on their account — it filters out many flagged or inappropriate videos.
• Choose YouTube Kids where possible, and learn how to use parental controls effectively.
• Create a watch-together habit, especially with younger tweens. Co-viewing helps build trust and lets you guide values, perspectives, and critical thinking.
• Curate a playlist of reliable, positive channels. There are excellent creators promoting science, curiosity, music, and storytelling. Explore smart content ideas for curious 9 to 12-year-olds here.

Media Literacy Is Parenting Now

More than shelters from bad content, our kids need skills to recognize when content feels “off” — even when the visuals are slick and the music catchy. Teaching media literacy isn't a one-time conversation. It’s in the everyday:

• “How does this video make you feel?”
• “Why do you think they made it that way?”
• “Do you think that was real, or acted?”

Give them language and tools to press pause, exit, or ask for help. Explain that just because something is on YouTube doesn’t mean it belongs in their brain. Power comes from knowing the difference.

Replace Passive Watching with Active Listening

Sometimes, the easiest way to lower risk is to nudge the habit entirely. If screen time preferences become a recurring concern, consider introducing a non-visual alternative. Audiobooks can satisfy that storytelling craving, entertain bored minds during downtime, and avoid algorithm pitfalls altogether.

Apps like LISN Kids offer a wide range of original audiobooks and audio series for children aged 3 to 12. Whether your child loves funny school adventures, whimsical animals, or science-based stories, there's something to match their curiosity — without worrying about what might autoplay next. Available on both iOS and Android, it can become a great part of your child’s media diet.

Set Expectations, Not Just Limits

Finally, talk regularly about your family’s values around what media is “for fun” versus what’s healthy, respectful, or real. Children aged 6 to 12 are still trying to map their world. When they understand why a video isn’t appropriate — not just that it’s off-limits — you're helping them build an inner compass.

And remember, perfection isn’t the goal. Mistakes will happen. What matters is how you help them navigate, learn, and reroute. As digital natives, your kids will inevitably face online challenges — but with your guidance, they don’t have to face them alone.

Want more insight into screen time boundaries? This article on setting healthy screen time limits (yes, even beyond age 5) may offer helpful starting points.