to think that youtube is no place for a thirteen year old to have an account?

[anklebitersmum]

We've just discovered that DSS has a youtube account and has just had a new video-camera so he can better upload onto it. DH and I have some concerns as regards posting, essentially unsupervised internationally at 13.
Anyone got any experience of this medium and are we worried unnecessarily?

[TeWiDoesTheHulaInHawaii]

I think it's fine, actually. I would just keep a close eye on what he is posting.

[Magneto]

Depends what he's posting. My brother has been posting video game walkthroughs since around that age and has one to no harm.

What are you worried about happening to your dss?

[Magneto]

Come not one, sorry.

[anklebitersmum]

Bit worried as regards him giving out more information than he thinks or being the subject of more bullying. That and the fact that the account is 'his' and DHex says it's their "personal business" what account name he has and what he posts.

Happy to have our fears allayed if you guys think we're being a bit 'precious'.

[ThatllDoPig]

Watching thread with interest. Exactly the same thing happening here with dd. Some people think its no big deal and just what they do now. I'm worried as it invites other faceless nameless people to make comments, which could be anything. There is one video she's done of herself, just talking about homework etc, but she has her school uniform on, so could potentially be traced. I made her take that one off, but don't know about others. I don't want to be unduly harsh if it is indeed ok, safe and normal, but can't help worrying as it is all so new, and too open somehow.

[anklebitersmum]

ThatllDoPig..exactly my concerns..and you have access, we don't

[TeWiDoesTheHulaInHawaii]

Hmm, I wouldn't be all that happy if I didn't know the name of the account, unless I trusted them to be safety conscious.

[Magneto]

You can change the settings so that no one can comment on videos or so that comments can only be submitted once approved. If you are concerned about him giving away information or about him not being mature enough to handle flamers or trolls then I would insist on access to the account and vet everything he does on there.

[Feminine]

My son has been doing exactly that since he was 10/11. (he is 13 now)

Everything has been fine.

He makes tech and car reviews, I have as much access as anyone else on the internet...we trust him to use it sensibly.

IMO monitoring the internet too much, is like giving a teen a car and telling them to only drive in 1st gear. The internet is full of pitfalls ...just be there to advise and constantly remind him to be careful. :)

[Sassybeast]

My nephew has an account and uses it to share musical performances -he's really talented and gets lots of positive feedback. It's closely monitored by his parents and has presented no problems so far.
What is Youtubes age limit?

[inchoccyheaven]

Thatlldopig we had similar with my ds1. He and his friend had uploaded some videos of them doing lego models with was fine, but ds1 had also uploaded some other videos of him just talking about stuff he got for xmas but mentioned what I did for a living and explained why the room he was in looked as it did.

He hadn't thought that it could possibly make us traceable ( not that we have any need to hide) so I got him to remove it. He is a sensible child and we have repeatedly told both boys not to give personal details away when online but sometimes they just don't think about what they are saying.

I have told him he can no longer upload anything unless I have checked it first.

[ThatllDoPig]

anklebiters do you mean you don't have access to his computer? Can you do a search on youtube and find his stuff? Then you would at least know what he was up to.

magneto thats really helpful, thanku I didn't realise you can block or select comments. Will look into it. I know my dd is sensitive and could be hurt easily by a cruel or agressive comment. I've talked to her about anonymous people hiding behind their computers to 'talk' in ways they never would in real life, but sadly I don't think she will understand until it happens.

[anklebitersmum]

haven't got his 'username' and no, no access to computer. As I said, apparently that's "their personal business" hence higher concern than if it were off our home pc

[BackforGood]

My nephew has long been a bit of a film maker. He puts his films up on You Tube, but has some sort of account where you have to know his name to access it (Does that make sense?) _ I know nothing about it myself, but I know my dcs can see the films he's made, etc., but you won't find one by randomly searching You Tube. Maybe that's something you can look at ?

[Feminine]

I would get his user name opI don't have passwords etc...but I can snoop if needed.

I don't comment on his vids (sooo un-cool) but I know the gist of most of it.

Oh, and sometimes he forgets to log out of my lap-top

Good luck...it can all go smoothly.

[anklebitersmum]

loving your work Feminine, will be very keen to put his posts up on our tv when he visits me-thinks

[Feminine]

@ anklebitersmum

[sashh]

A coleague's husband featured in a youtube video - hula hooping on the wii.

You may end up going viral if you are not careful.

[MammaTJ]

I think she has come over all defensive and that is why she won't tell you.

Try to get him to show you his work!!! Then you can at least search for him and keep an eye on what he is posting.

Good luck!

[cory]

It really depends on the child and how it's being used. Some 13yos are into filming and drama, others use it to post films of the mating display of their tropical fish; it doesn't have to be personal or sensitive information. But of course sometimes it is...

[CuttedUpPear]

My DS had a youtube channel when he was 13yo. He was uploading Lego videos etc. He actually made some money from it as once you start getting a certain number of watchers, youtube ask if you would like to host ads and you get a small amount of revenue from that. (Which went into my bank account for him).

I just made sure that I was a subscriber to his channel and also had the log ins so I could get in there and have a look around. There is a certain amount of bullying on youtube but thankfully DS managed to brave the storms and all went well. It taught him a bit about business, he's hosting a gaming server these days.

[Feminine]

cutted exactly the same as my DS13, only his are tech reviews.

He is also hosting a gaming server too! :)