YouTube recommendation algorithm is out of control | DadHQ

YouTube recommendation algorithm is out of control

17h ago1 min read

I let my 9 year old watch some YouTube videos and I started noticing the recommendations getting progressively weirder and more inappropriate. Nothing illegal but definitely stuff designed to keep kids watching longer. Started using YouTube Kids but even that feels sketchy sometimes. Are you guys monitoring what comes up in recommendations or is that impossible at this point? Feels like we're fighting an uphill battle.

7 comments7 views

Comments(7)

MMichael P.New Dadjust now

This is my biggest concern with screens right now. The recommended videos my daughter is getting are going to weird places pretty fast. Did you end up restricting his account or just monitoring more?

RRobert T.New Dadjust now

YouTube's algorithm is genuinely terrifying. I watched ONE parenting video and suddenly my recommendations are full of weird conspiracy stuff. Can't imagine what it's doing to a 9 year old's feed.

MMarco R.New Dadjust now

Pro tip: turn off autoplay and recommendations entirely if possible. Yeah, it limits content but at least you're not fighting the algorithm anymore.

GGreg M.Regular17h ago

Same issue here with my oldest. I switched to YouTube Kids for a while, though I know it's not perfect either. The recommendations definitely need way better filtering for that age group.

PPaul T.Regular17h ago

Yeah, YouTube's algorithm is wild. I've started using parental controls more strictly and just manually curating a playlist of stuff I know is good for my daughter. It takes a few extra minutes but beats scrolling through weirdness.

JJames H.Regular16h ago

That's frustrating to hear. I tend to just sit with my kid when they're watching and we pick videos together instead of letting it auto-play. Kills the passive watching but keeps it in check.

DDominic E.Regular12h ago

YouTube Kids helps but even that has gaps. We started only allowing specific creators my kids are already watching. Takes more work but beats the algorithm playing Russian roulette with our kids' brains.