UK Children’s Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce has raised concerns about the effect of YouTube programming on children’s development, referring to it as “sedation” rather than true entertainment. During an inquiry by the culture, media, and sport committee, he criticized platforms like CoCoMelon, a popular YouTube Kids channel, for providing an overwhelming amount of information without the “stimulation and nourishment” found in previous children’s programming.
Cottrell-Boyce referenced research indicating that young children benefit from repetition and slower pacing, which help them navigate their environment. He lamented that the current fragmented media landscape leads to a loss of shared cultural experiences, potentially contributing to rising anxiety levels among children. He expressed concern that the algorithmic nature of platforms such as YouTube creates an illusion of choice while leading to a cycle of repetitive content.
Greg Childs OBE, director of the Children’s Media Foundation, also expressed discontent with the state of children’s television, stating that the industry is “broken.” He noted that a significant portion, 62%, of viewing by children under 16 occurs on YouTube, while only 22% is on traditional broadcast television. Childs argued that YouTube’s lack of investment in new children’s shows, along with restrictive advertising rules, harms the creator economy for children’s content.
He suggested that YouTube needs a regulatory framework and a ratings system to prioritize the public interest. Childs advocated for the government to renew funding for children’s programming through a young audiences fund that had been closed in 2022. He stressed the importance of collaboration between platforms and content creators to improve offerings for children. Additionally, he pointed out that the BBC remains the sole significant funder of children’s TV in the UK, raising concerns about the future of popular programs like Doctor Who.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/nov/11/children-being-sedated-by-algorithmic-youtube-content-mps-hear