YouTube Is Not For Kids
Thursday July 19, 2007
Despite an official policy that allows minors to post and appear in videos (with adult approval), YouTube has recently been removing many of videos that feature children. Google, YouTube's parent company, has given no official reason for the take down, and many YouTube users are upset.
Hopefully, YouTube will soon refine its underage user policy and explain why it has been removing the videos. In the meantime, there are many kid-centric sites, like KidzBop, that are designed for children.
What do you think? Would you let your kids appear in videos on YouTube?
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Comments
Sure, what is the harm of letting kids appear on youtube? At what age do they draw the line? 10, 12, 15, 18?
I wouldn’t worry about posting something of my kids on YouTube, but what if for some reason, I did not want a video a stranger took of my child posted publically? I am a professional videographer, and when I film groups of children, I must have parents sign a waiver allowing me to publish the video. I am required to protect the privacy and the will of the subjects I am filming. I think this is a good idea, and I support YouTube in removing videos of children.
Seems like more of a general privacy argument to me, rather than something that is specific to children. What if any person didn’t want video on which they appear to be on Youtube?
As it relates to kids, clearly any immoral or illegal content has no place on Youtube or in society. But what is the problem with posting benign content?
Should I be concerned the next time I filming a busy street scene and a child walks into the frame? What about posting news stories featuring a child?
And I’m not sure most waivers protects kids privacy rights either. Once rights are waived, aren’t parents in a difficult position to care for their children’s privacy? It seems to me that waivers protect videographers from claims for compensation from subjects (including minors) as much as they protect anyone’s privacy.
Never,Never,Never with all the crazy people out there doing dumb stuff and thinking that it is okay to hurt children some parents need to wakeup to what is going on. It doesnt matter what photos or vidios you are displaying of your children, you are giving crazy people permission to fantasize about your children. Wake up people!
People are afraid to say what they think because someone may be insulted, and sue them (over words?!). People are afraind to have a different idea if it isn’t politically correct because we must not deviate from the norm! People must not personally feel that certain lifestyles are wrong because everyone is free to do what they think is right no matter how bizzar.
Why then should I suddenly be afraid that a picture I take of my family at the beach happens to have a 12 year old girl or boy in the background???!!! You can worry about your pictures – I am not.
It is time to consider some grassroots logic. To borrow from an old oriental based TV show, “Grasshoper, everything must have ballance.”
In response to post #4, I am awake and haven taken the necessary precautions, however I am not afraid of my own shadow or anyone else’s for that matter.
I think we should stop being so afraid and start putting life into perspective. Fear is powerful and can easily be abused, however when people allow fear to dictate their decisions, then we set ourselves up for bigger problems down the road.
My shadow and I will sleep soundly tonight.