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Original poster

AIBU to think parents will break the social media rules for summerborn children’s GCSE revision?

161 replies

SummerAutumnborn · 15/06/2026 21:27

So as a parent of a September born child my child will be able to access YouTube educational videos before their GCSEs start. Some of these resources are excellent.

Their best friend (August born) will not be able to access any videos before the GCSEs start unless their parents break the rules.

At A-Level my child will have unlimited access their best friend won’t - a problem for kids who access sports clubs in the evening and want to revise before bed.

Summer borns have an educational disadvantage anyway - will this widen the gap further? Here is a BBC article from a few years ago.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-23435439

Am I being unreasonable thinking parents who agree with the SM ban will break the rules if it disadvantages their summer born child?

Out of interest for those of you who do support the social media ban are you going to say to your child that they cannot access exam resources on YouTube and X even if they are better than school and BBC resources? Or when it comes to an educational advantage will you find it acceptable to break the rules and allow access?

I disagree with the ban btw so would have no issue if it affected my child.

OP posts:
drunkelephant83 · 15/06/2026 22:24

Don’t you just press ‘watch as guest’ no sign in needed

Tauranga · 15/06/2026 22:24

ProudCat · 15/06/2026 21:30

Teacher here. Videos aren't very good for revision.

Unless you are dyslexic.
Or prefer videos.

What a ridiculous conclusion!

Tauranga · 15/06/2026 22:23

Totallyfrazzledmum · 15/06/2026 21:30

You can revise for GCSEs without YouTube …. There are other websites and paper & pen worked for 100s of years.

How utterly useless this post os.

SadiraOfTyr · 15/06/2026 22:22

What rules do you think parents will break? The proposed regulations impose duties on social media companies, not on users.

Gettingaggy · 15/06/2026 22:21

AlcoholicAntibiotic · 15/06/2026 22:20

Some people retain information more from watching things than reading things.

Does BBC Bitesize cover everything and explain things in multiple different ways?

Show quote history

If they learn better from YouTube videos they will still be able to watch YouTube videos. There is no ban on watching YouTube videos.

PenelopeJoanSterling · 15/06/2026 22:21

SummerAutumnborn · 15/06/2026 21:30

And if the material is better on YouTube/TikTok? At present we have no idea what will happen but assuming the best material is on YouTube - which I believe it currently is (the bbc is rubbish in comparison).

just use opera vpn browser and bingo

NameChangeForTheWeek · 15/06/2026 22:21

SummerAutumnborn · 15/06/2026 21:27

So as a parent of a September born child my child will be able to access YouTube educational videos before their GCSEs start. Some of these resources are excellent.

Their best friend (August born) will not be able to access any videos before the GCSEs start unless their parents break the rules.

At A-Level my child will have unlimited access their best friend won’t - a problem for kids who access sports clubs in the evening and want to revise before bed.

Summer borns have an educational disadvantage anyway - will this widen the gap further? Here is a BBC article from a few years ago.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-23435439

Am I being unreasonable thinking parents who agree with the SM ban will break the rules if it disadvantages their summer born child?

Out of interest for those of you who do support the social media ban are you going to say to your child that they cannot access exam resources on YouTube and X even if they are better than school and BBC resources? Or when it comes to an educational advantage will you find it acceptable to break the rules and allow access?

I disagree with the ban btw so would have no issue if it affected my child.

X is a fucking cesspit

AlcoholicAntibiotic · 15/06/2026 22:20

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 15/06/2026 22:15

They can use BBC Bitesize, and what’s wrong with the masses of revision guide publications that are available in almost any bookshop?

Some people retain information more from watching things than reading things.

Does BBC Bitesize cover everything and explain things in multiple different ways?

Tryagain26 · 15/06/2026 22:19

There are much better ways to revise than YouTube.
And the Government has already said there will be exceptions for education. If the education content in YouTube is so good it can move to one of the excepted sites.
Some people have completely misunderstood what the ban is about. The onus will be on social media sites to restrict access. There won't be a law that bans parents from using their log in so their child can watch a revision video!

Wincher · 15/06/2026 22:18

I agree - my 15 year old has just finished his GCSEs and has basically taught himself the whole science curriculum from Free Science Lessons on YouTube. His class hasn’t had a science teacher since about Christmas of year 10 and have had a succession of subs teaching random different stuff every lesson. YouTube has been a complete lifesaver for him - the way that guy explains everything suits DS.

However as others have said kids will still be able to watch videos, just not have their own accounts. Only thing is we kept meaning to get YouTube premium to avoid the ads (haven’t got round to it) and so obviously a kid couldn’t have that - so will see more ads.

What I think is even more ridiculous is a 17 year old not being able to go on social media after 8.30 at night… not quite sure if that will end up happening but it does seem crazy!

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 15/06/2026 22:15

They can use BBC Bitesize, and what’s wrong with the masses of revision guide publications that are available in almost any bookshop?

mondaytosunday · 15/06/2026 22:15

Educational platforms will be a accessible. Also my DD managed 8/9s and all A stars for A levels without watching a single TikTok or YouTube video.

Gettingaggy · 15/06/2026 22:15

Hotdoughnut · 15/06/2026 22:12

Oh for goodness sake they can watch on an adult account. Do people really follow rules so blindly? Nobody is spying in your home. Watching revision videos is quite literally the opposite of criminal behaviour!

They wouldn’t even have to watch on an adult account, you don’t need an account to watch YouTube videos.

MeetMeOnTheCorner · 15/06/2026 22:14

I think the bigger issue will be summer borns being sidelined by friends as they aren’t on the SM for contact. Parents will sign up for them I think. It should be by year group at school, not age. Summer borns are last to drive, last to drink and last to vote. We are a totally summer born family and in August no e comes to your party either!

Honeyhonay · 15/06/2026 22:12

YourAquaLion · 15/06/2026 22:10

Since when has YouTube been considered social media? Social media is IG, FB, TT, X etc. YT is just watching stuff and commenting if it’s allowed.

Obviously educational content hosted anywhere is fine, but just watch out for what else they have access to on that platform.

Also our generation had zero online exam prep and managed just fine so I wouldn’t worry about this.

I recommend writing notes, colouring in and drawing simple pictures on the notes to aid the memory while re-reading them, then reading the notes on to a tape player (or iPhone voicenote that will be these days!) and playing it back while going to sleep as their own revision podcast.

That’s how I learned it all and got straight As. Forgotten it all now tho!!!! 😂

The point of YouTube it to comment and engage with videos both long and short form, in what way would TikTok or Instagram be classed as social media but not YouTube?

Hotdoughnut · 15/06/2026 22:12

Oh for goodness sake they can watch on an adult account. Do people really follow rules so blindly? Nobody is spying in your home. Watching revision videos is quite literally the opposite of criminal behaviour!

snowymarbles · 15/06/2026 22:11

I know my daughter used some
sxience videos on you tube she said were fantastic

YourAquaLion · 15/06/2026 22:10

Since when has YouTube been considered social media? Social media is IG, FB, TT, X etc. YT is just watching stuff and commenting if it’s allowed.

Obviously educational content hosted anywhere is fine, but just watch out for what else they have access to on that platform.

Also our generation had zero online exam prep and managed just fine so I wouldn’t worry about this.

I recommend writing notes, colouring in and drawing simple pictures on the notes to aid the memory while re-reading them, then reading the notes on to a tape player (or iPhone voicenote that will be these days!) and playing it back while going to sleep as their own revision podcast.

That’s how I learned it all and got straight As. Forgotten it all now tho!!!! 😂

Sinkysocks · 15/06/2026 22:09

YouTube kids is an exception so access to the educational stuff should be fine.

Honeyhonay · 15/06/2026 22:09

SummerAutumnborn · 15/06/2026 21:30

And if the material is better on YouTube/TikTok? At present we have no idea what will happen but assuming the best material is on YouTube - which I believe it currently is (the bbc is rubbish in comparison).

Can’t imagine TikTok is the pinnacle of gcse revision and no other resources could possibly keep up.

PomplaMouse · 15/06/2026 22:08

oliviaAustin · 15/06/2026 22:07

An adult can download a video and let a child watch it. That isn’t children using social media, that is being played a video by a trusted adult.

Or a child can watch it themselves, without signing in.

oliviaAustin · 15/06/2026 22:07

An adult can download a video and let a child watch it. That isn’t children using social media, that is being played a video by a trusted adult.

Gettingaggy · 15/06/2026 22:03

GingerIsland · 15/06/2026 22:02

This is a very bizzare thing to worry about.

No one needs a YouTube login to watch revision videos.

Maybe I am misunderstanding but they are just stopping under 16 creating accounts? Stopping them from commenting/getting algorithms feeding them addictive stuff is not a negative.

This was exactly my understanding of it.

XenoBitch · 15/06/2026 22:03

Gettingaggy · 15/06/2026 21:59

I’m genuinely really confused by this because can’t they just watch them by not signing in?

Yes, the ban is literally they are not allowed their own accounts. They can still use a guest one etc.

PomplaMouse · 15/06/2026 22:02

Gettingaggy · 15/06/2026 21:59

I’m genuinely really confused by this because can’t they just watch them by not signing in?

Yes. Which means they'll be able to watch anything that isnt age-restricted.

The OP is worrying about nothing.