If you’re a parent of a little one aged 2 to 6, you’re likely familiar with the bizarre and often cringeworthy realm of kids’ YouTube videos. These clips often seem like they were thrown together by amateurs in their basements, showcasing an endless parade of toys and sugary treats. You’ll find videos dedicated to unboxing “surprise eggs” or “grab bags,” luring kids with the promise of cheap, plastic trinkets.
It’s hard to say if these content creators are sponsored by toy brands, but the videos certainly feel like amateur commercials. Regardless, they have become incredibly popular and undeniably addictive—some might even refer to them as “toddler crack.”
I tend to be fairly relaxed about screen time in my household. We balance it out with reading and educational activities, so my kids often enjoy some time in front of the screen. While they avoid violent content, I’m okay with a bit of bizarre humor. Sometimes, as a parent, you need those moments of peace—whether it’s a quiet shower or a few uninterrupted minutes on the toilet—so these YouTube videos can feel like a lifesaver.
Initially, my main grievances were the irritating sounds coming from the iPad: the incessant “crinkle, crinkle” of packaging being torn open, the high-pitched voices of hosts (looking at you, ToyTimeTom), and the relentless fart jokes with sound effects that were way too realistic.
However, a few weeks ago, I noticed that my 4-year-old’s behavior was changing in response to these videos. Suddenly, he was demanding candy for every meal and adding every toy he saw to his wish list. I even caught him trying to browse for items on Amazon (I quickly locked down my one-click settings).
Then came the moment of truth. After seeing a video where toys were being cut with scissors, he attempted the same thing at home—resulting in the destruction of my chapstick, phone charger, and his older sibling’s homework.
But when he began mimicking ToyTimeTom’s voice non-stop, I knew it was time to take action. I couldn’t handle it any longer. Simply imposing parental controls wouldn’t suffice; kids have a knack for finding what they want. I decided it was time to eliminate the YouTube chaos altogether.
However, I realized that just like weaning a child off a pacifier or bottle, you can’t just cut them off abruptly. So, I embarked on a gradual process to help my son detach from YouTube.
At first, it was rough. After indulging him with YouTube while I enjoyed my breakfast and showered, I told him that he couldn’t watch it while I cooked dinner. Despite my warnings and offering him an alternative like a classic cartoon, he fell to the floor in tears after a ten-minute tantrum.
The next day was slightly better, and it improved progressively after that. Soon, I successfully reduced his YouTube sessions while still allowing him to watch occasionally. Along the way, he discovered a love for The Magic School Bus (thank you, Netflix!) and decided he needed to binge-watch the entire series within a week.
Before I knew it, his daily YouTube habit completely faded away. He became engrossed in The Magic School Bus and we found a fantastic app called Epic that offers a treasure trove of books. He even began to “read” some of them himself, in addition to enjoying the audiobooks available.
Yes, it’s still screen time, and I readily admit that I provide my kids with more than I probably should. However, at least it’s educational and engaging, not to mention much less annoying.
As for YouTube, he seems to have forgotten all about it. It has been over a week since he last asked to watch. Thank goodness! I certainly won’t bring it up, even to commend him for his newfound freedom. If he should ask again, I might let him have a brief look. But there’s no way he’s getting close to ToyTimeTom or those other channels again without first providing me with a solid pair of earplugs and a nice bottle of wine.
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In summary, navigating children’s screen time can be a tricky endeavor, especially with the allure of addictive content like YouTube. By taking a measured approach and introducing engaging alternatives, it’s possible to help your child find healthier and more educational avenues for entertainment.