Internet Safety: YouTube Adds Parental Controls

There’s been a ton of criticism about YouTube’s inappropriate content and its accessibility to children.  In response, YouTube added parental controls to its website last month, giving them the ability to block videos that are flagged as unsuitable for young teens and children.

The categorizing process will be challenging, and YouTube is relying on its users to flag videos if they think they are in violation of the website’s community guidelines.

The filtering goes into effect when users browse via the “Safety Mode” which limits video content containing nudity, pornography, graphic violence, narcotics and even news items containing graphic violence.  In addition, user comments with profanity are filtered out.  Safety Mode is locked for all users and is specific to each browser and account.