Five easy steps to safeguard your child on YouTube

Internet security firm ESET has published a step-by-step five-point plan to safeguard children on one of the top social media sites.

‘How to keep your child safe on YouTube’ gives parents simple tips on where key safety tabs can be found.

“YouTube is one of the most popular websites in the world,” the information film tells the viewer. “The video community gives anyone the freedom to share and upload their videos online, but it can also leave younger viewers exposed to inappropriate content.”

Turn on safety mode

The safety mode uses community flagging and age restrictions to identify and filter out inappropriate content.

“By scrolling to the bottom of any YouTube page, you can click the drop-down menu signposted ‘safety’. Select the ‘on’ option to enable the feature. By signing into your Google account and following the same procedure, you are given the option to turn on safety mode every time you visit the site.”

Block cyberbullies

If a child is the victim of cyberbullying on YouTube, parents can block the user so they no longer appear.

“Visit the user’s profile and, on their ‘about’ tab, click the flag icon and select block user.

“If the bully is someone that your child knows and is listed as a contact, you can also block them using your address book. Just select the tick box next to their name and click the block button.”

Report abuse

If the bullying persists, the problem can be reported directly to YouTube using its help and safety tool.

“That can be found under the harassment and cyberbullying section of the safety centre. Click on the relevant issue and help explain the issue for YouTube’s security team.”

Moderate comments

Video content might be appropriate for the child but sometimes the comments by other users are not.

“If the comments are on their own videos, you can remove or moderate them before they even appear. Click the small arrow at the end of any offending comment and select remove from the drop-down menu.

“Additionally you can ban comments on your videos altogether by disabling the discussion option in the channel navigation page.”

Monitor your child’s behaviour

ESET said: “By keeping tabs on your child’s favourite videos, channels and search history now and again you will soon find out if you need to intervene or take further action.”