YouTube To Start Handpicking Content Shown On ‘Kids’ App, More People And Fewer Algorithms

For the most part, YouTube videos being shown to users are chosen via algorithms. The same was true for the streaming service’s app called “Kids,” which is intended for younger viewers. Following the string of unfortunate incidents wherein children were shown inappropriate content, however, YouTube has decided to change tactics. Going forward, it will start handpicking the contents that will be featured on the app.

This information comes via a source at YouTube, as reported by BuzzFeed. The specifically curated contents will be chosen based on the creators of the videos instead of individual videos. As such, only the creators that are approved by YouTube will be able to show their clips on the Kids app, which is currently one of the hottest sources of views right now.

Contents that feature such things as Nursery Rhymes, toy reviews, and even original animation content rake in millions of views per clip. A lot of this is due to the fact that parents find it infinitely more convenient to just let their children watch stuff on a smartphone or a tablet, where they can just sit quietly in a corner and be entertained.

Unfortunately, this also led to some rather unfortunate incidents of certain channels featuring inappropriate contents getting through the algorithmic filter. Once the new changes take effect, however, this might become less of an issue.

For example, when children type things on the app’s search bar, no inappropriate suggestions will ideally be visible. The same goes for recommended videos that might feature titles and content that are not suitable for younger viewers.

As Engadget notes, while YouTube has been trying to curb the rise of things like conspiracy theory contents in the app, some of them are still getting through. If kids are still getting bombarded with crazy videos about how the moon landing was faked, the video-hosting site’s efforts are still ineffective.