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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To plead for an alternative to the obvious child YouTube stars?

43 replies

M1526 · 31/12/2021 10:41

My 2 year old has developed a liking for children in YouTube channels - we made the mistake of putting on a make a pizza video by Gabby & Alex, then all these suggestions came up for other children pushing really strong messages that I'm not 100% wanting DC to mimic.. can't currently figure out how to wipe it from the TV YouTube interface, but will fix today... not keen on constantly opening toys, fast fashion, plastic tat tots & huge obvious Branding for product placements, etc.

Is there an example of a real life video series or channel on YouTube where it's a bit more of a wholesome message (i.e. not every episode about branded sweets or opening new toys)?

I've looked at examples of you tube stars but it's fairly heavily skewed towards USA (and accents as a result) if in English.

OP posts:

Legoisthebest · 31/12/2021 11:18

TV licence is less than 50p a day. Cbeebies and CBBC are worth every penny of that.

maddening · 31/12/2021 11:19

You need a TV licence BTW

BlueShirtGuy · 31/12/2021 11:28

Once they are used to using YouTube it's going to be hard to come back from it. Your child is going to learn that YouTube is how they watch TV. That might be fine when they are two but it's not going to be five when they are six. It's a slippery slope situation.

I hope you are at least using the YouTube kids site or app.

Maybe it's because I'm a teacher so I'm extra cautious because I have to be but I wouldn't want a child to watch anything on YouTube without watching it the whole way through myself.

There are lots of videos on the BBC teach websites that I assume you don't t need a licence to watch.

caoraich · 31/12/2021 11:31

I never watched any BBC content until I had kids. Agree CBeebies is really worth it.

I like Something Special, it engages my kid and they're always off to interesting places, use makaton (my daughter has learned a number of signs) and I like that it includes children with disabilities with no song and dance about it. Justin Fletcher is super annoying but I figure it's not actually aimed at me!

Andy's dino adventures is similar "real life" stuff.

100% worth the 45p a day it costs for the licence fee!

FestiveFuckery · 31/12/2021 11:31

I'm not sure why YouTube is the devil but cbeebies is fine! I assume you will be watching with rather than leaving unsupervised. You're only 6 videos away from Mickey Mouse playing to Mickey Mouse masturbating... according to a ted talk I watched. They usually all link to each other so find one good one you already have. I don't know any British ones or kids playing but my DD (much older) watches people playing computer games and drawing things so can't really help but ban cookie swirl c for the love of god. I'd rather rip my ears out that listen to that shit again.

haba · 31/12/2021 11:32

@BlueShirtGuy you do need a licence for the BBC videos, as they're all launched through iPlayer. My children couldn't access the bitesize materials during lockdown for this reason (we have no TV, let alone a licence).

I wouldnt let a two year old use YouTube, @M1526. What about sesame Street if you can access episodes of that? It has children in (and non-commercialised).

Woodlandwater · 31/12/2021 11:39

I understand using YouTube to show things they dont have access to, like being able to see a cheetah at full speed, but you don't need to follow a specific channel for that, just Google whatever it is you want to see, watch it first to ensure its suitable and then show it.

But I wouldn't get into YouTube more widely, it's largely vacuous nonsense and far too easy for them to watch things that aren't appropriate. Your 2 year old does not need to see other people build Lego, if anything that curtails creativity because it's showing a 'right way' to play. Maybe it stops you being bored? In which case stick on some music or talk radio or an appropriate audiobook whilst you play?

foxgoosefinch · 31/12/2021 11:41

CBeebies is great - Show Me Show Me would be perfect for a 2 y o - lots of other live content that they would love!

BlueShirtGuy · 31/12/2021 11:43

Bitesize is different from BBC teach. I don't know if you do or not but schools don't watch BBC without a licence but they do use BBC teach still. It might be a grey area.

www.bbc.co.uk/teach/class-clips-video/william-whiskerson-dairy-farm/z444d6f

Original poster

M1526 · 31/12/2021 11:45

Urgh, can people stop regurgitating legally incorrect laymen views on TV licensing? Our household does not have any need or desire to view content which legally requires a license fee paid, if we're wrong (which we're not) then stipulate the legal basis from case law or an authority source. Which doesn't exist.

Thanks again for the helpful suggestions, they've been great, but future readers, please ignore the laymen lawyers.

OP posts:

DawnWar · 31/12/2021 11:58

This is my niece who thinks she's a you tube star https://youtube.com/user/drsarabarton

Legoisthebest · 31/12/2021 12:03

You say you don't desire anything that a TV licence would cover - yet several people have suggested Cbeebies. Seriously it's the best 'tv' for toddler age and highly regulated.

wincarwoo · 31/12/2021 20:14

@Legoisthebest

You say you don't desire anything that a TV licence would cover - yet several people have suggested Cbeebies. Seriously it's the best 'tv' for toddler age and highly regulated.

Yep you can't beat CBeebies for intelligent child friendly content. You can't go wrong and it's cheap. Octonauts alone is worth it.

Treecreature · 31/12/2021 20:25

Can't get away with Blippi after finding out about his poop video.

Isababybel · 31/12/2021 20:34

Not children based but my dd who isnt 2 yet loves miss rachel from songs for littles on youtube..could be a bit too babyish though im not sure.

Ginger1982 · 31/12/2021 20:41

I'm confused. You say you have ITV, C4 and C5. Surely you need a tv licence to watch any of those channels?

NannyR · 31/12/2021 20:45

@Ginger1982

I'm confused. You say you have ITV, C4 and C5. Surely you need a tv licence to watch any of those channels?

Not if you are only watching them on catch up/streaming.

RacoonRocket · 31/12/2021 20:46

YouTube is filled with 99% crap, anyone can put stuff on YouTube and nothing other than a Google-designed algorithm is checking what is and isn't suitable for kids.
I soon realised this and removed it from our TV.
At the other end of the scale I am more than happy to let my young kids explore the kids section of iplayer, because I know that every single programme has been professionally made, with serious thought gone into suitable themes for children.
On YouTube they could literally be watching anything, I wouldn't want a 2 year old to start getting into anything on there.

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