YouTube Kids is here to protect all the children who can't do basic math.
The current version of the kids app comes with a set of parental controls meant to ensure adults can both track what their children watch and set boundaries for age-appropriate content. The only problem is that the parental-control lock is easily bypassed. And yes, it's so easy even a kid could do it.
YouTube has been accused of allowing disturbing content on its platform for years. Earlier this week, Google announced a new standalone YouTube Kids website and additional parental controls in an attempt to make its app more kid appropriate. Which, again, would be good if they weren't so easily defeated.
At issue are two key points: YouTube Kids' "content settings" and "clear history." The app allows parents to decide what online content is appropriate for their precious bundle of joy in three categories: 4 and under, ages 5 to 7, and ages 8 to 12.
Hmmm.Credit: screenshot / youtube kids appOnce a parent decides this, a child is locked into that age group when using the app. Unless said child changes it, that is.
If a parent fails to set a custom password, the only impediment to a kid altering the "content settings" is their ability to smash buttons repeatedly. That's because, as a parental check, the app asks the presumed parent to solve a basic math problem.
Even assuming a 7-year-old kid is unable to figure out "4 X 5 = ?" (a real example from the app), the app allows you to repeatedly enter the same number over and over again until it happens to be correct — thus letting you access a settings page where you can change the age restrictions.
Tweet may have been deleted
We tried this out and found it ridiculously easy to access the "locked" parental controls section. Once in, we could change our "content settings" to allow us to view additional material deemed suitable for older kids, or erase our watch history entirely to hide it from a theoretical concerned parent.
Somehow, we don't think repeatedly entering random numbers into a phone is beyond the skill level of most kids.
SEE ALSO:YouTube belatedly decides to ban intentionally disturbing 'kids' videosImportantly, the app does allow parents to set a custom 4-digit PIN — and adults looking to protect their children from inappropriate content should definitely do so. However, perhaps an even better approach would be to not download YouTube Kids in the first place.
TopicsGoogleYouTube
(责任编辑：百科)
New Zealand designer's photo series celebrates the elegance of aging
Moon water discovered for the first time from the lunar surface
The 7 tech terms you need to know in 2022: NFTs, metaverse, and more'Pam and Tommy' dumpster dives and strikes gold: ReviewNew Zealand designer's photo series celebrates the elegance of agingMichael Phelps says goodbye to the pool with Olympic gold
Michael Phelps left as he began: Winning. 。The most decorated athlete in Olympic history won gold in
...[详细]The 25 best British TV shows and movies of 2021
The cheek, the nerve, the gall, the audacity, and the gumption! What a year it's been for British TV
...[详细]The essential thing to know about NASA and NOAA's global warming news
Climate 101 is a Mashable series that answers provoking and salient questions about Earth’s wa
...[详细]L'Oreal debuts the Colorsonic and Coloright at CES 2022
Recall: April 2020. The pandemic had just begun to settle in, and the quarantined population was beg
...[详细]Did our grandparents have the best beauty advice?
Do our grandparents really know what's best?They're older and wiser, and they have no shortage of ad
...[详细]The key to union organizing: Tech workers in warehouses and offices joining together
"Whoah, there are so many things happening at Apple."That was one of the DMs labor organizer Clariss
...[详细]You can now play 'Wordle' on a Game Boy
With its blocky little grid and heavily addictive nature, Wordlesometimes feels like the sort of gam
...[详细]You need to try this viral TikTok recipe for air fryer green beans
There is nothing sexy about green beans. I'd argue is pretty weird to call any food sexy, to be hone
...[详细]This weird squid looks like it has googly eyes, guys
Internet, meet your new spirit animal. 。Scientists aboard the research vessel the E/V Nautilus, off t
...[详细]Extreme Hubble photo shows a galaxy ripping solar systems from another galaxy
Whoa.The legendary Hubble Space Telescope, operated by NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA), cap
...[详细]Satisfy your Olympics withdrawals with Nike's latest app
The 25 best British TV shows and movies of 2021