Concerns about Google s new YouTube Kids app first reported by the Mercury News are now stirring debate in the U.S. Capitol Building, where a senator emailed CEO Larry Page late Tuesday night seeking answers.
U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., the top Democrat on the Commerce Committee, wants the company to detail how it selects content for the new app and what steps it s taking to ensure kids aren t exposed to unsuitable content, according to a statement from his office Wednesday.
His letter follows two complaints recently filed with the Federal Trade Commission by consumer groups and child advocates bothered by how much the app inundates toddlers with advertising and promotional content, as well as the app s inability to filter out some grown-up videos.
Here is what Nelson wrote:
Dear Mr. Page:
I am writing to express my concern over news reports that Google s YouTube Kids service contains content inappropriate for children.
The reports indicate that certain content on YouTube Kids includes explicit and profane language; discussions or jokes about mature subject matters such as child abuse, drug use, and pedophilia; demonstrations of unsafe behaviors; and alcohol advertisements.
Furthermore, I am concerned that YouTube Kids may be failing to separate commercial advertising from free content programming in a manner understandable to children.
Google introduced its YouTube Kids service as a safe haven for children to access age appropriate video content.
I applaud the company s effort to create appropriate venues for children who increasingly use online services for educational and entertainment purposes.
However, in so doing, any such service must take great care to ensure that children are not unnecessarily exposed to inappropriate content, especially since parents may rely on the very notion that such a service is for kids and, thus, safe for their unfettered usage. Given Google s considerable technical expertise, the company can presumably and readily deploy effective filtering tools to screen for unsuitable videos.
Furthermore, online children services that feature commercial advertising – some of which may masquerade as content – should be clearly distinguished.
Numerous studies have shown that children have difficulty understanding and discerning the difference between advertising and non-advertising video content.
YouTube Kids should be sensitive to this well-known vulnerability.
As Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, which has jurisdiction over the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), I am committed to consumer protection, including protecting children from products and services that are deceptively marketed as being suitable for them. Section 5 of the FTC Act broadly prohibits unfair or deceptive acts or practices. Moreover, the FTC enforces the Children s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), which requires online services for children 12 years old and younger to acquire parental consent before collecting any online information. As parents seek out safe and appropriate online venues for their children, it is critical that services designed and marketed for children are, in fact, appropriate for the kids who will undoubtedly use them.
Nelson s letter ended with four questions to Page seeking specific answers about YouTube s internal policies and procedures and how the company selects and removes videos.
Certainly, he expects a prompt response, said Nelson spokesman Bryan Gulley, who noted that the senator, when it comes to children s issues, he s particularly sensitive to that.
We ll update this post if and when Google responds to either Nelson or my request for comment.
Above: A screenshot today of what the YouTube Kids app shows if you search for U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fl. The ranking Democrat on the Senate s Commerce Committee sent a letter to Google CEO Larry Page expressing concerns about the app s content and ads.
