Today is Safer Internet Day and some disturbing research results from Kaspersky Lab highlights how crucial that YouTube gets its ‘suggested videos’ act together.
Examining YouTube’s ‘suggested’ videos that sit visibly alongside children’s TV programmes such as Peppa Pig, Rastamouse and Dora the Explorer, researchers found that on average users are just three clicks away from content suited to an adult audience.
Music videos featuring violence, guns and nudity, and clips of post watershed television programmes are such examples within these three clicks and highlight the risks such sites pose if parental controls are not activated or children are left unattended while browsing
“It’s worrying to see just how simple it is for children to access videos of an adult nature on YouTube. Safer Internet Day is all about educating and promoting safer, more responsible behaviour for young people, but adults must take responsibility too.
“Having parental controls in place is vital and can be highly effective in combatting objectionable material. YouTube’s Safety Mode feature aims to help parents screen out unsuitable content, but it can’t provide 100% protection”, said David Emm, Senior Security Researcher at Kaspersky Lab.
Monty Munford has more than 15 years' experience in mobile, digital media, web and journalism. He is the founder of Mob76, a company that helps tech companies raise money and exit. He speaks regularly at global media events with a focus on Africa, writes a weekly column for The Telegraph, is a regular contributor to The Economist, Wired, Mashable and speaks regularly on the BBC World Service.
