Title: Who Tube? What Kids are Watching on YouTube and Why Parents Should Care

Word Count: about 800 words

Abstract:

YouTube is one of today’s fastest growing and most popular websites among teens. The site is home to literally thousands of inspirational, educational and entertaining videos, including music and art lessons, tutoring sessions, motivational speeches and anti-drug, anti-smoking, and anti-bullying messages.So why do parents need to pay attention to what their kids are seeing on YouTube?Because, amid the good stuff, there’s highly objectionable material, including videos containing violence, sex, drug use, weapons, obscenities, suicide attempts, dangerous behavior and other disturbing content.Get the scoop on YouTube along with real world tips on how to help your kids find the best and avoid the rest of what YouTube has to offer.

Excerpt:

“Mom – check out my favorite video!” My 15 year old daughter and I sat at the computer and laughed hysterically together at a wacky karaoke video. I asked about her other favorites and, with a few clicks, we watched an animated clip featuring a giraffe in quicksand, then a music video by a French band that performs covered in glitter. All of this was on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com), one of today’s fastest growing and most popular websites among teens.

YouTube is a video sharing website where anyone can watch, comment on and rate video clips – from karaoke to skateboarding stunts, animal antics, angst-ridden poetry and diary readings, confessions and rants, “Candid Camera”-style clips and just about anything else that can be filmed. It’s part entertainment, part online community, and part creative marketing medium for musicians, comedians, animators, film-makers, dancers, performers, and anyone else seeking to showcase talents or just share a bit of themselves with millions of people worldwide . . .