{"id":120197,"date":"2019-02-28T19:50:42","date_gmt":"2019-02-28T19:50:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.searchenginewatch.com\/?p=120197"},"modified":"2020-02-17T13:15:35","modified_gmt":"2020-02-17T13:15:35","slug":"youtube-child-safety-service-doing-enough","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/2019\/02\/28\/youtube-child-safety-service-doing-enough\/","title":{"rendered":"YouTube + child safety: Is the service doing enough?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>It has been a challenging month for YouTube.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>As <a href=\"https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/2019\/02\/22\/google-youtube-and-brand-safety-whats-next\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">we recently reported<\/a>, fresh concerns over child safety on the service came to light back on 17<sup>th<\/sup> February.<\/p>\n<p>In a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=O13G5A5w5P0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">video published to the site<\/a>, vlogger Matt Watson details how the service is being exploited by paedophiles who were using comment sections under innocuous videos of children to leave sexually provocative messages, to communicate with each other, and to link out to child pornography.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Youtube is Facilitating the Sexual Exploitation of Children, and it&#039;s Being Monetized (2019)\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/O13G5A5w5P0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Of course, journalists and news sites were quick to level criticism at <a href=\"https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/2019\/02\/04\/youtube-optimization-guide\/\">YouTube<\/a>. Many pointed out that this wasn\u2019t the first time child safety on the service has been called into question. Others were critical that its methods for safeguarding children were <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/google-amp\/news\/youtubes-whack-a-mole-approach-to-child-exploitation-isnt-working-critics-say\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">too \u2018whack-a-mole\u2019 in their approach<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>And then came the actions of the advertisers \u2013 with Nestle, AT&amp;T and Epic Games (creator of Fortnite) all pulling their ads from the service.<\/p>\n<p>So how has <a href=\"https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/2019\/04\/22\/top-advanced-youtube-seo-tips-to-boost-your-video-performance\/\">YouTube<\/a> responded? Is it doing enough?<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Memo directly sent to advertisers<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>On 20<sup>th<\/sup> February <a href=\"https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/2019\/08\/27\/optimize-video-marketing-on-youtube\/\">YouTube<\/a> sent out a memo to brands advertising on the service.<\/p>\n<p>It detailed the \u2018immediate actions\u2019 it was taking to ensure children are safe in light of the recent allegations from Watson. These included suspending comments and reporting accounts to the NCMEC.<\/p>\n<p><!-- [if !vml]--><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-120195\" style=\"width: 487px; position: relative; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; vertical-align: top;\" src=\"https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/asg_oYLAeXKTTaKOAFJe2Fart_5son1XZ4cM0TpTmh2F1551263718728-YTimmediateactions.png\" alt=\"YouTube memo with immediate actions they're taking to address issues\" width=\"738\" height=\"241\" srcset=\"https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/asg_oYLAeXKTTaKOAFJe2Fart_5son1XZ4cM0TpTmh2F1551263718728-YTimmediateactions.png 738w, https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/asg_oYLAeXKTTaKOAFJe2Fart_5son1XZ4cM0TpTmh2F1551263718728-YTimmediateactions-300x98.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 738px) 100vw, 738px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The memo reiterated that child safety is YouTube\u2019s No. 1 priority, but also admitted there was more work to be done.<\/p>\n<p>It laid out a roadmap of tweaks and improvements, including better improving the service\u2019s ability to find predatory comments (set to be implemented this month) and potentially changing how ads are placed on channels.<\/p>\n<p><!-- [if !vml]--><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-120196\" style=\"width: 502px; position: relative; margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none; vertical-align: top;\" src=\"https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/asg_oYLAeXKTTaKOAFJe2Fart_5son1XZ4cM0TpTmh2F1551263750151-YTroadmap.png\" alt=\"YouTube memo: Looking ahead, what's on the roadmap?\" width=\"736\" height=\"367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/asg_oYLAeXKTTaKOAFJe2Fart_5son1XZ4cM0TpTmh2F1551263750151-YTroadmap.png 736w, https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/asg_oYLAeXKTTaKOAFJe2Fart_5son1XZ4cM0TpTmh2F1551263750151-YTroadmap-300x150.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 736px) 100vw, 736px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Changes to Community Guidelines strikes system \u2013 are these related?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>In a potentially related move, <a href=\"https:\/\/youtube-creators.googleblog.com\/2019\/02\/making-our-strikes-system-clear-and.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">YouTube also announced via a recent blog post<\/a> that it was going to make changes to its Community Guidelines.<\/p>\n<p>The changes \u2013 which came into force on 25<sup>th<\/sup> February \u2013 include a warning for <a href=\"https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/2018\/12\/21\/guide-google-analytics-confusing-terms\/\">users<\/a> the first time their content crosses the line.<\/p>\n<p>YouTube says: \u2018Although the <a href=\"https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/2019\/09\/11\/landing-page-copy-tips\/\">content<\/a> will be removed, there will be no other penalty on the channel. There will be only one warning and unlike strikes, the warning will not reset after 90 days.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>The \u2018three strike\u2019 system still exists but is stricter and more straightforward. Now a first strike results in a one-week freeze on the ability to upload any new <a href=\"https:\/\/sewprod.wpenginepowered.com\/2019\/07\/12\/how-to-get-featured-snippets-no-link-building\/\">content<\/a> to the service. Previously, first strikes just resulted in a freeze on live-streaming.<\/p>\n<p>A second strike in any 90-day period will result in a two-week freeze on the ability to upload any new content. Ultimately, a third strike in any 90-day period will result in channel termination.<\/p>\n<p>That <a href=\"https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/2020\/01\/02\/quantum-supremacy-and-eight-seo-trends-2020\/\">YouTube<\/a> has taken this opportunity to address its creator community directly is interesting.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/technology\/2019\/feb\/21\/fortnite-maker-pulls-ads-over-youtube-paedophile-ring-claims\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Guardian<\/a> has reported that the fallout from Watson\u2019s video resulted in a number of prominent YouTube users criticizing him, rather than the service. Their reasoning was that it was overreactive and a deliberate attempt to drive advertisers away.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, a report at <a href=\"https:\/\/abcnews.go.com\/Business\/youtube-strikes-community-guidelines\/story?id=61237311\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">ABC News<\/a> shed light on stories from creators who have been the victims of false claims and extortion attempts by bad actors who promise to remove strikes only after they\u2019ve received payment via PayPal or BitCoin.<\/p>\n<p>With this in mind, we can see that YouTube have been quite diplomatic in how they\u2019ve rolled this Community Guideline change out. Imposing stricter penalties against a backdrop of better transparency and simpler rules is quite laudable.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Further questions over safety since<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>In the wake of Watson\u2019s video, further news stories have emerged which relate directly and indirectly to child safety on YouTube.<\/p>\n<p>On 24<sup>th<\/sup> February, pediatrician Free Hess exposed that some children\u2019s videos available on YouTube Kids had hidden footage detailing how to commit suicide spliced into them (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/technology\/2019\/02\/24\/pediatrician-exposes-suicide-tips-children-hidden-videos-youtube-youtube-kids\/?utm_term=.6add5ca9f3b8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">as reported at The Washington Post<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, on 25<sup>th<\/sup> February <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/technology-47357252\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">the BBC<\/a> reported that the service was stopping adverts being shown on channels which showed anti-vaccination content.<\/p>\n<p>And the past couple days, widespread internet concern has raged over &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/search?q=the%20momo%20challenge&amp;src=tyah\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Momo Challenge<\/a>,&#8221; a supposed challenge encouraging minors to do dangerous \/ potentially self-harming acts.<\/p>\n<p>However, this morning\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.theatlantic.com\/technology\/archive\/2019\/02\/momo-challenge-hoax\/583825\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Atlantic reported<\/a> that this has been a digital hoax. And that it has followed similar cycles as the so-called Blue Whale challenge, teens eating toxic Tide Pods, and the cinnamon challenge &#8212; all of which were found to have no reported deaths\/injuries associated.<\/p>\n<p>And yesterday, YouTube tweeted this:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">We want to clear something up regarding the Momo Challenge: We\u2019ve seen no recent evidence of videos promoting the Momo Challenge on YouTube. Videos encouraging harmful and dangerous challenges are against our policies.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; YouTube (@YouTube) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/YouTube\/status\/1100820993671495680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">February 27, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>The company has also just updated their Creator Blog with a post titled, &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/youtube-creators.googleblog.com\/2019\/02\/more-updates-on-our-actions-related-to.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">More updates on our actions related to the safety of minors on YouTube<\/a>.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>In it, they summarize &#8220;the main steps we\u2019ve taken to improve child safety on YouTube since our update last Friday.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>These steps include:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Disabling comments on videos featuring minors<\/li>\n<li>Launching a new comments classifier<\/li>\n<li>Taking action on creators who cause egregious harm to the community<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>It does seem that they are moving quickly to remedy the problems. But I think anyone would agree &#8212; they&#8217;ve had quite the month.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>So the challenge is certainly ongoing\u2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>All this does highlight the difficulty YouTube has in keeping all its millions of viewers, creators, and advertisers safe and happy.<\/p>\n<p>We know the service is constantly updating its algorithm across its search function and its recommendations in order to give users better \u2013 more trustworthy \u2013 content.<\/p>\n<p>We can also be quite sure that there has been a fair amount of activity in protecting minors on the service since 2017 when unsuitable content featuring Disney and Marvel characters was being found to be available on YouTube Kids. This timeframe is in line with the aforementioned memo which assures that the service has been working hard to improve in this regard for the past 18 months.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m not sure it\u2019s entirely fair, then, to call YouTube\u2019s approach to safeguarding children a \u2018whack-a-mole approach\u2019 or one which only sees the site take action when the instances gain media attention.<\/p>\n<p>The sheer amount of content and users on the service is so massive, it depends on the community to produce the content and \u2013 at times \u2013 to monitor how it is used. In this instance, a user flagged an issue up and YouTube worked very quickly indeed. The service is always improving. But changes, tweaks, and improvements are not always newsworthy. The same can be said for Google.<\/p>\n<p>Yes, there is more to be done. As online video continues to boom and the creator community continues to grow, we can expect issues to arise.<\/p>\n<p>But I think it is unlikely that YouTube wouldn\u2019t be proactive here. After all, its very existence depends on having great videos, trustworthy content, a safe community of users who are having a positive experience on the site, and an ecosystem where advertisers want to be.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>YouTube has had quite the month in the way of child safety concerns. We look at an overview of what&#8217;s happened and how the platform has responded. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1092,"featured_media":120209,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,11,15],"tags":[27288,27144,330,186],"content_type":[],"class_list":["post-120197","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-industry","category-more-news","category-video","tag-creator-blog","tag-industry-news","tag-video","tag-youtube"],"acf":{"tad_independentcommercial":false,"tad_content_format":false},"post_info":{"name":"idris.nagri@blenheimchalcot.com idris.nagri@blenheimchalcot.com","title":"","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/shutterstock_1062623933-120x90.jpg","category":"Industry","timeago":"7y"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/120197","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1092"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=120197"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/120197\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/120209"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=120197"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=120197"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=120197"},{"taxonomy":"content_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/content_type?post=120197"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}