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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

What will happen to all the you tubers?!

47 replies

britneyisfreebutnotokay · 16/06/2026 01:01

I’m fully aware that I’ve been unreasonable for letting my child watch YouTube at all. I only heard about the ban today, so I’ve deleted it from our TV and the next time she asks, I’ll just have to explain that she can’t watch it anymore.

But it has made me think about all those families who do the fake “perfect life” shows online. I know the children often look like they’re having fun, but surely there has to be a level of exploitation involved. It can’t b easy to have your childhood turned into content.

And now I’m wondering what happens to those families if this really does cut off their income.

OP posts:
Maggispice · 16/06/2026 01:23

YouTube is educative and I don't see any good reason to delete the app. Parents have to guide and direct their children in life and that includes using the internet. Use parental controls etc.

britneyisfreebutnotokay · 16/06/2026 01:26

Normal you tube will be there just I presume the kids one will no longer be available

OP posts:
Sarkykitty · 16/06/2026 01:27

i read that YouTube kids won’t be banned so as long as the content fits with the criteria for that the YouTubers can carry on as normal.

Isittimeformynapyet · 16/06/2026 01:33

I think you might have jumped the gun on this OP.

The change won't happen until Spring '27, so a bit of a knee jerk reaction perhaps.

BridgeNewton · 16/06/2026 04:58

They can get real jobs

Zanatdy · 16/06/2026 05:09

Kids youtube will not be banned but if its a very young child get rid. It’s sad to see my 4yr old nephew scrolling youtube. Not sure what’s up with Cbeebies at that age.

icannotlivelaughloveintheseconditions · 16/06/2026 05:10

Kids YouTube will likely be ok. And lots of over 16’s still watch YouTube. Plus adults will just take out accounts for their teens.

parietal · 16/06/2026 05:17

Kids YouTube is not banned. Adult YouTube is not banned. The ban only means that kids can’t have an account on adult YouTube and do the social stuff like comments and uploading content.

however, YouTube is not great for kids so go ahead and delete it. Get cbbc instead.

fuckeditupbadly · 16/06/2026 07:00

First, nothing is happening til April next year. 2nd, its not banned. The age limit for accounts has changed. Your TV account is, I assume, yours, so.you can leave it as it is and up to you if you let your dc watch it. I mean, dont get me wrong, im pretty glad that acting like a twat in a wig on a self taped clip wont be a career option but please do actually find put what's really happening.

mellongoose · 16/06/2026 07:01

The ban is not law yet. It has to pass through parliament.

Our 11yo likes to watch horsey things such as Esme or Harlow. We don’t have a you tube account. She has no desire to comment etc.

We will either carry on like this, or get her a you tube kids account.

Im for the ban and explain it to her using the driving analogy rather than the smoking one.

We live rurally and it would be convenient for her to take our little Fiat 500 to her friends house 3 miles away, but it’s against the law as society has agreed it’s not good for her and I agree with that.

RoseField1 · 16/06/2026 07:03

Watching YouTube isn't the same as social media.

Alainlechat · 16/06/2026 07:09

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Stars26 · 16/06/2026 07:15

Even kids youtube has dodgy shit on it. There is a guy that does videos of finding ai with cartoon babies or characters dying and other wtf shit disguised as ‘cartoons’.

Honestly i meet so many parents who do not know what their young children are watching and those very small kids are not developing any concentration because they watch for 30 secs then swipe or choose the next video.

I’m not saying screens are bad it’s the modern world but access and knowledge of what kids are using them for and how long is a discussion that is long overdue. They’ve completely taken over children’s ( and adults) lives and have replaced really important play and activities for early development. Ask any early years/infant teachers.

Sartre · 16/06/2026 07:17

Maggispice · 16/06/2026 01:23

YouTube is educative and I don't see any good reason to delete the app. Parents have to guide and direct their children in life and that includes using the internet. Use parental controls etc.

Agreed and my DC will still be accessing it.

UniquePinkSwan · 16/06/2026 07:18

BridgeNewton · 16/06/2026 04:58

They can get real jobs

Define a ‘real’ job?

My son earns £3000 a month on YouTube. Point me in the direction where he can earn that in the real world with no qualifications?

Whyherewego · 16/06/2026 07:21

Sartre · 16/06/2026 07:17

Agreed and my DC will still be accessing it.

Yes I've always paid for it too so I can watch ad free and also I monitor what DC are watching. I did the same with all games the DC wanted, I played them myself first or played with them so I knew exactly what it was.

Tableforjoan · 16/06/2026 07:22

on top of everything everyone else has said it’s only for the uk. So it’s not going to affect American YouTubers apart from their numbers may dip they are not doing to suddenly lose their vlogger jobs.

Just uk vloggers might lose a lot of their watchers. As well as uk streamers will find it harder due to time difference losing some of their audience. Less money so pay less tax provided it was all done above board.

FeelingSadToday1 · 16/06/2026 07:22

I am with you OP. I agree YouTube has a lot of educational stuff on it but for my kid when he gets on there, he just watches absolutely shite. I too have deleted the app as I don’t want him growing up addicted to the scrolling. He’s just about to turn 8 and ai am excited that his cohort will hopefully grow up without being addicted to social media.

You can clearly see on this thread though that lots of parents will continue to allow their kids access though, and I get it, it keeps them entertained and out of your hair, but I would rather put the effort in to do something else if it keeps them from the drivel

LittlePetitePsychopath · 16/06/2026 07:22

UniquePinkSwan · 16/06/2026 07:18

Define a ‘real’ job?

My son earns £3000 a month on YouTube. Point me in the direction where he can earn that in the real world with no qualifications?

He probably can’t. Hopefully he’s been saving, but also as all the social networks knew this was coming and YouTube have held a lot of creator events talking about this and what to be doing to plan for it, hopefully he’s attended and has a plan, if he’s serious about wanting to keep it going.

if he’s making decent content, he’ll be fine if he’s started planning properly.

Changingplace · 16/06/2026 07:25

OP nothing has come into force yet and you appear to have completely misunderstood what’s being proposed anyway.

Whinge · 16/06/2026 07:27

From everything i've seen it won't actually affect those who exploit their children by using them as content on Youtube. They will still be able to post videos of their children.

In summary. Children can't watch the content, but they can still be the content.

UniquePinkSwan · 16/06/2026 07:27

LittlePetitePsychopath · 16/06/2026 07:22

He probably can’t. Hopefully he’s been saving, but also as all the social networks knew this was coming and YouTube have held a lot of creator events talking about this and what to be doing to plan for it, hopefully he’s attended and has a plan, if he’s serious about wanting to keep it going.

if he’s making decent content, he’ll be fine if he’s started planning properly.

He’s 18 so the ban doesn’t affect him. Yes, he pays his tax and puts £1000 a month into a stocks ISA that is doing very well.

YouTube isn’t all bad. I watch it more than normal TV and pay for Premium. There are loads of great content on it

Larrythecatforpm · 16/06/2026 07:36

Youtube is educational it’s the one thing my kids won’t be banned off ive already made them accounts in my name so I can age verification them myself.

Changingplace · 16/06/2026 07:54

Larrythecatforpm · 16/06/2026 07:36

Youtube is educational it’s the one thing my kids won’t be banned off ive already made them accounts in my name so I can age verification them myself.

Except within a couple of clicks you can easily go from educational content to violent or offensive content really easily, that’s the issue here, that it’s not categorised effectively.

Ineedanewsofa · 16/06/2026 08:10

We’ve had the rule that YouTube can only be watched on the family TV for ever, so we’ll continue with that. Brain rot content has never been allowed but DC will still be able to watch stuff for school and hobby related content.
I’ve learnt many useful things from YouTube videos, especially to do with car maintenance and DIY!