A children’s advocacy and consumer group has filed a complaint with the US Federal Trade Commission against the new YouTube Kids app.
According to Cnet, the Center for Digital Democracy, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Consumer Watchdog filed a complaint against the YouTube Kids app, stating that it "violates long standing media and advertising safeguards that protect children viewing television."
"YouTube Kids is the most hyper-commercialized media environment for children I have ever seen," said communications professor Dale Kunkel of University of Arizona. "Many of these advertising tactics are considered illegal on television, and it's sad to see Google trying to get away with using them in digital media."
The organizations pointed out in the complaint that Google appears to ignore the well-established system of advertising safeguards and the scientific research on children's developmental limitations.
"Those important policies include (1) a prohibition against the host of a children's program from delivering commercial messages; (2) strict time limits on the amount of advertising any children's program can include; (3) the prohibition of program-length commercials; and (4) the banning of 'product placements' or embedded advertisements."
Meanwhile, Google on Tuesday released a statement defending the approach of the YouTube Kids app.
"When developing YouTube Kids we consulted with numerous partners and child advocacy and privacy groups. We are always open to feedback on ways to improve the app," cited by an article on The Verge.
"We were not contacted directly by the signers of this letter and strongly disagree with their contentions, including the suggestion that no free, ad-supported experience for kids will ever be acceptable.
The YouTube Kids app was launched in February and can filter YouTube content into a selection of age-appropriate music, videos, playlists that target 4-year-olds and up. The app is available for free to iOS and Android users in the US.
