A quick Google search using the keywords “how to create videos for kids using AI” will produce hundreds of results––from tutorials claiming that anyone can make a fully animated video it in under 20 minutes, to step-by-step formulas on how to make $50,000 per month of passive income on YouTube Kids.
The stark reality is that anyone can easily create a YouTube channel and label it as “kids’ content.” Now, with the rise of AI tools, this process has become even more accessible, potentially leading to an explosion of low-quality, and even potentially harmful content.
The inevitable rise of AI generated content
AI tools have revolutionized content creation, making it easier than ever for anyone to generate videos with minimal effort. These tools can write entire scripts, animate characters, and even voice content in a matter of minutes.
While this technology has legitimate uses, some creators exploit it to flood platforms like YouTube with generic, low-effort videos aimed at your children.
Their goal? To maximize ad revenue with minimal investment.
In other words, creators are making a lot of money off your kids, often with little regard for the impact their content might have.
Even the most well-intentioned people who use AI to create these videos may not fully consider what they are teaching other people’s children. Most of the content creators turning to AI are not educators and often lack the expertise to craft videos that are both engaging and developmentally appropriate. Revenue motivation takes priority over meaningful content, and the potential impact on young viewers is frequently overlooked.
And let’s not even mention those with bad intentions. Remember Elsagate? Disturbing videos disguised as kid-friendly content flooded YouTube, exposing young audiences to inappropriate, harmful material.
This dark side of content creation shows how easily bad actors can exploit platforms and audiences, especially with the added power of AI tools.
And, if you let your kids loose on YouTube or YouTube Kids, it’s only a matter of time before they are watching content that is entirely AI generated. We’ve put together a guide to help parents identify AI-generated content – including the telltale signals that distinguish genuine creators from content farms.
Why isn’t YouTube stopping it?
YouTube’s algorithm rewards content that keeps viewers engaged, regardless of its quality. In other words, the longer someone has their eyes on the screen, the more money YouTube makes–and this goes for YouTube Kids too. This is the mechanism behind algorithmic creep – the algorithm actively serves more of whatever is already holding a child’s attention, regardless of its quality or intent.
This makes it easier for creators to exploit AI tools to churn out endless streams of mediocre content. While YouTube has guidelines for children’s videos, enforcing these rules on such a massive scale is a challenge. This leaves parents at the mercy of creators whose primary motivation may not align with what’s best for their kids.
What can you do about it?
At StreamU, we believe in a proactive approach to parenting, rather than being reactive.
We believe in fostering an environment of open communication, trust and connection with our children, all while staying within safe boundaries.
We believe in allowing children to safely explore a walled garden, with enough variety that fosters their curiosity and independence, rather than having to repair the damage caused by them stumbling upon some less-than-ideal content.
Your children deserve better than low-quality videos created by shady creators looking for passive income. They deserve engaging, thoughtful, and carefully crafted content that supports their emotional, intellectual, and moral development.
Let’s work together to provide them with the content they need to grow, learn, and thrive.
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