FTC Complaint: YouTube Kids App May Be Deceiving Its Young Users - Blog About Life Experiences

FTC Complaint: YouTube Kids App May Be Deceiving Its Young Users

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FTC Complaint: YouTube Kids App May Be Deceiving Its Young Users -

kids app YouTube just Celebrated icts 10-year anniversary, It Could Be objective facing a lawsuit with the Federal Trade Commission for icts YouTube Kids app. The app Was officiellement released in February in Apple iTunes and the Google Play store, and hosts kid-friendly channels like "Barney" and "My Little Pony" as well as --other channels for music and learning. It aussi: has a parental control features FEW That Some find helpful, while others do not.

These kid-friendly channels on the app programming mix, Such As cartoon characters like "Sesame Street," with ads for toys based on the Sami character; this is something That Is prohibited on standard television. These ads are Labeled as ads, aim only in text. And since the app is made for younger children Who May not be reliable to read, They Are not reliable to Distinguish The Difference entre les ads and the shows. It's clear That YouTube is aware que la app's users are Unable to read, as the app includes some features designed for thesis That Were users. For example, one of the app's security features Generates an unlock code That Is displayed with numbers spelled out (eg "two-five-five-three") and prompt you to enter this code numerically (2-5-5-3).

Last month, the FTC Agreed to review complaints from Several consumer advocacy groups, qui Say That YouTube video blends Kids programming and advertisements in ways That are deceptive to children. This claim Would Be in violation of the FTC's policies on how products can be Marketed to Children. These consumer groups say que la app contains too many ads icts That younger users, the target audience for this app, can not Distinguish from entertainment. The FTC will review complaints thesis to determine if YouTube is using unfair marketing practices.

How Does the FTC gravement take complaints concernant children?

This is not the first time Google, Who owns YouTube, has-been found in violation of FTC policy year. In December, the company atteint a settlement with the Commission to refund $ 19 million for unauthorized purchases Single in the Google Play store, made by children using Their Parents' smartphones / tablets. ALTHOUGH Google started Requiring passwords for in-app purchases Single A Few years back, It Did not explain That There Was still a 30-minute window to make purchases Single Reviews entering the password only after-ounce. Google aussi icts Agreed to update billing practices to prevent prevention things of this kind, and is eligible for Those Offering Refunds up to December 2015 to collect.

Should you trust this app for your children?

While kids love YouTube and watching things online, It Seems the company still: has a Few Things to work out with this app before it's 100% kid-friendly, Including icts lacking parental control features. Netflix, on the --other hand, Just for Kids: has a profile option is icts streaming service. This allows you to create a separate profile on your account to Ensure your children are only happy watching Appropriate for kids 12 and under. Netflix works with a non-profit That Provides ratings, reviews and --other information to help determine what is Appropriate for this Particular age group.

It's significant to take the extra steps to protect your children from harmful and inappropriate content on the Internet. For more information on enhanced features with parental control software, read our reviews and comparisons charts here.