YouTube channel owners: Is your content directed to children?

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The FTC action against YouTube and Google


A COPPA recap




How COPPA applies to channel owners


How channel owners can determine if their content is directed to children



  • the subject matter,
  • visual content,
  • the kind of music or other audio content,
  • the age of models,
  • language or other characteristics of the site,





What are the possible penalties for violating COPPA?


Isn’t the FTC taking another look at the COPPA Rule?


Where can channel owners go for more information?





What about non-monetized channels like myself?

Ok, lets start off with this:
But these rules draw the line.







You can do the following to fix this:
Dont do it
Add a mixed section where these rules dont apply.

Fix this,
Do it for everyone

My content is directed and suitable for all audiences.


Many adults like kid appropriate content too, as some things normally associated with children (like Pokémon) have been around for a while and still have adult fans. How will cases like that be handled? Y’all stated that content that appeals to all ages won’t be hurt, but there’s the problem. Anything directed at kids will always, without a doubt, have teen and adult viewers. The system is fundamentally flawed as either nothing will change, or content for all ages will be harmed.

You have to be over 13 to even be on YouTube. How will this even work?

Hello there. Even if you have told me the good news for the animators, I'm still a little shaken by the news.

So if I understand this correctly, my 12 year old daughter and her friends who are seriously into dressage (horsemanship) watch youtube channels and videos that are created not specifically for children but instead for the entire audience of those who are interested in the sport/hobby/lifestyle are then putting those creators at 'risk' of being fined by the FTC for having watched their content? How on earth are you able to lump together what interests a 10-12 year old might have versus a 7-9 year old much less those even 'younger'. Do any of you law makers have children? Do you not realize that there is a massive difference in interests of the sub age groups of 'under 13'? Also, after having read the entire COPPA details it states that it's to protect against data-collection. Content creators do not collect any of the data you've listed - any information/data that is collected by the 'platform' is never shared with the content creators so how can they be held accountable under COPPA?

Why are youtube creators being punished for parents not being able to parent their kids?

Now, after some time and some light research, I have come to a conclusion that many other commenters may come to. The people that run the FTC are not very caught up with the rest of our current culture. Our current Pop-culture, our current understandings, our current communication systems, and our current way of our world. I say this because,:from what I have heard, some of these people don't even have phones, and I say that without exaggeration. So, knowing that, and a little more, it's reasonable to say that the people running the FTC and revising COPPA don't understand why anything that they say is going to happen, could upset people, and as an example, or rather several examples: Animation, the animation/cartoon/drawing communities, as well as gaming, toy reviewers, food reviewers, toy collectors, or even bronies and furries, all are communities of people and creators, (or "influencers") that all are at heavy risk, and that is because of the "cartoonish characters" that could be associated with their crafts and communities, now, to anyone that knew these things even existed before this comment, good for you, you have seen the internet. But to those of you who did not, I request that you educate yourselves on what those after you or before you are doing with the world around you, and if you are an official in the government, I request, no, nearly demand, that before you even begin, to suggest certain reformations of law, or new creations of law(s), you educate yourselves heavily, on every topic you can that could be even lightly effected by the laws you seek to build, and if that sounds like too much effort to you as an individual, then you should dismiss yourself from the governmental position you possess entirely and immediately.

My videos will be rated E for everyone

Are you aware that there is a separate platform called "YouTube Kids" that is specifically meant for children's content?

I know that you giys are teying to keep children safe and NOT against that but I don't think it's far that some of these hardworking youtubers and creators to be pushed aroumd and tell what they can and can't make vidoes of. I know a Husband and Wife that doses fanatic gameplay videos and they never ever use profanity but yet Coppa is putting them into a corner due to the fact all their content is Fan based. Please leave good Youtube as is. Thank You.

Thanks for the “protection” FTC. I was so worried that a 4 year old that uses a 13+ website would have been manipulated by advertisements that could have been prevented if parents actually did something about their children. Nooooo, lets just do what the non-responsible adult parent should do on their own. Instead, lets make it so that we simply don’t care and or give proper reason for implementing this literal brain dead option and completely throw people that use this site for their livelihood into the street, because we decided to protect irresponsible parents and their choice to break an important rule of YouTube since they (like you unfortunately) believe YouTube is used by no one but children. ... Get out of there. Get your genuinely terrible rule off of YouTube. Your implemented rule combined with your Potentially Outdated Stigmas, outside of the printed documents, are gonna ruin many favourite animators, figure collectors, gamers, and more for adults on YouTube to use for entertainment. The documents may change, but who’s to say that we, the actual consumers of the site, can relay on your help to manage a site that wasn’t ever intended for children under the age of 13 to begin with. Finding the content creators is wrong in general and I cannot believe that with so much negative reception towards your aid for irresponsible and possibly dilutional parents, you are willing to continue to push such slobber onto an otherwise great platform and destroy millions of people’s carries. Disgusting. Pack your things and focus on some other problem that actually deserves your attention.

What about animes like Pokémon? Kids watch but there are any teens and adults fans of those. When our content is for mixed audience what are we supposed to do? I still have no idea if i should set my channel as for kids or adults if it has mixed audience

Wait, no one under the age of 13 is allowed to use YouTube so why is there any discussion going on here? Why is COPPA even applied to YouTube? Does COPPA apply to pornhub and xvideos? I bet there are plenty of 12 year old kids looking at those sites and commenting on videos. Fine the parents of kids that lie about their age.

Hi there FTC. If you are reading this, we are pretty much content creators/Youtubers on the community. We can’t look out for people’s kids because we are content creators, not babysitters. Parents need to take care of their Children properly, not let their kids go on the internet and lie about their age, cyberbully etc. It wouldn’t be our fault if their parents see their kids watching something that is not suitable for them. It is the parents fault for not looking after their children. Thank you for this information but please understand this. Thank you!

If Your Channel Is Not Monetized Will Your Channel Still Be Flagged?

How About The Viewers Account is Set To Kids Or Not For Kids Instead Of The Tuber

Please consider all of the DYI content providers that are freaking out because this is a real source of income and, like my wife, they believe that they are going to suffer because it is mixed content and they are afraid of being put out of business. If the content is put under YouTube Kids, is it still making money for the DIYers? Isn't there a more feasible approach? I turned in an idea months ago that I felt would solve a lot of problems for everyone and never heard anything about it, plus it was YouTube staff friendly meaning that it wasn't going to cost YouTube anymore to implement.

This going make more problems, there will be less kid content on the platform. Two it was YouTube that was collecting the data, how creators were know those features were collected data? YouTube should take full responsibility instead cause in future lawsuits against this law and should let folks what going on in first place.

GOOD luck Federal Trade Fommission

What if animations or games not for kids but looks like directed-for-kids??? Like uses bad language (Example:SMG4)

What music is geared towards kids?? I get music like baby shark is but what about instrumental music or music like EDM and dubstep? Or even music gear review videos? This is all too vague. Someone please help! I make retro electronic music and do music gear reviews. Am i safe??

my video is not for kids


What if i mark my videos as 18+ will i have the risk of getting fined?

If your lying and it has kid directed content, then yes.

Thank you for extending the comments period and for recognising that in this nostalgia filled age and where many western animations are attempting to deal with more mature issues, content discussing things like animation may often not be aimed at children.
Audience viewing metrics could be useful to determine who is consuming such content too.

Most importantly, as the FTC has spurred Google to make their proposed changes, by allowing them this 'compromise', the FTC should bear some duty of responsibility in making sure Google invests sufficient time and money in implementing it's share of the changes, in a way that won't simply destroy a lot of small business, with no reasonable means for appeal.

How will I know if my content is safe or not from a fine ? Because it wasnt really specific on what are videos should look like for kids and what it shouldn’t look like for not for kids

While i appreciate that you wrekonize that animation is not just for children there are some that aren’t for children at all. Have you ever heard about family guy or south park or any of adult swim’s content e.g. Rick and Morty and robot chicken? There all cartoons and clearly not for children as the Name imply. The whole languige thing also makes me raise an eyebrow like i understanding Mommy or daddy but even those Words are sometimes used for sexualy active partners and the Words you examplify i wouln’d say are so kid orienten as you say they are. Both these things seem to be considered kids content because you think they are or because you’ve heard everyone else say it (age stereotypes) and if that’s the reason i don’t think it they should be imploderar to your rules about what makes a video armed at children.

Are you allowed to say words such as crap, or freaking on a child directed channel or will you get fined?
I’m very concerned please reply soon.

What if some videos you’ll make in the future are NOT kid friendly, but the ones right now are? I’ll be making Fran Bow content, so that’s directed above 13.

Are all shooting/gun games not kid friendly

Im sorry...
But I think no one likes the new coppa update in youtube...
Im just wondering can you please just not do the coppa update?
Just let the parents do the parenting...and don't let the users that hasn't logged in watch videos...
And don't let users to delete history videos...
So the parents can see what their kids are watching...please.....

It would be better if instead of categorizing kids, and adults, they just put a filter so "kids" can't share private information. They have systems like this on lots of popular games with chat. It would be much less a hassle of categorizing everything. What about if we want to share our content with "kids" and "teens"? Yes having a mixed option would be good, but why have to filter out content in the first place. Filtering the comments so kids can't share information would be much more simpler. -It would be nice if COPPA or youtube would consider this.

I understand the concern of parents and the FTC. However, I feel there are some problems regarding the implementation of COPPA on content creators. For one thing, the guidelines for what constitutes content that is "directed to children". I personally feel it is unfair for content creators to be punished for the actions of user-generated platforms. If COPPA goes into effect, it will become the responsibility of content creators for the actions of the individuals who are in charge of the platform. I encourage the FTC to reconsider COPPA. If any action must be taken to enforce these guidelines, I feel the consequences should fall to the those in charge of the platform and not those who make content for the platform and have no say over what the platform does. Thank you for taking the time to read this comment.

Why even have a mixed content? We don't need to "age" filter at all...Instead why not just filter comments.There are plenty of games, and sites, that use filter chat so that "kids" can't share private information online. YouTube could have looked into this also. -It would be nice if YouTube would look into this- It would be much simpler for viewers, and creators.We shouldn't be mad at creators of kids. It's not there fault (older kids should know better though). YouTube should have thought of this in the first place.

There is one thing I do not understand. Does the $ 42,530 kernel happen if we use children illegally for our videos, or whenever our videos are misclassified? if I say that my video is not for kids, but YouTube thinks otherwise, am I paying $ 42530 for the almond, or not?

I have an interesting question: If you point out in the video (i.e. In the title, beginning and ends of the video, and in the description) that your content is for an audience of 13 or over, does that comply with COPPA? The reason why I am asking this is because if the creator puts an age warning stating that the video is meant for older audiences, then that should mean the creator pointed out their target audience, though, I might've missed something while researching.

Regulations are not going to stop kids from lying about their age to access content or use online services. Though your regulations state protection of children as your goal, the unintended consequences, the cumulative effect of YouTube having lost major advertisers due harmful videos and the way YouTube is using this law as an excuse to discourage any content creators from making videos for children by removing any incentives to create and removing ability for children to find or follow the creators. My children absolutely love a Minecraft YouTuber and use the platform for various educational and nature videos. I love to watch tutorials and tips on watercolor painting. I also learned how to change the cabin air filter in my car and various other helpful videos. I don’t think what the FTC is proposing with COPPA I has I’ll intentions. It isnYouTube’s undermining approach, using COPPA an excuse, to win back lost advertisers. However, I do believe government restrictions are overreaching the bounds, parents have the rights and responsibilities to restrict or allow their children’s actions.

What about gaming channels that play games that might appeal to kids like fortnite or pokemon. These games could be considered kids games but adults play them too and we can't control who watches our videos. What if you play these games but your content not made for kids . Would you consider it for kids content the rules are to vague and make it open to interpretation which is a problem for creators trying to comply with them.

There is a significant and obvious flaw in the mentality behind this law, and that is in the creation of "kid's content" as an absolute and distinct form of criteria.
COPPA is United States law, but it applies globally to all communities across every culture. What applies as "kid directed content" in one society is different to what is even considered appropriate for adults in another. Even within different subsets of a nation's population, different people are going to decide what is "for kids" in different ways. In addition, over the course of time, these standards will inevitably change within the context of every society. This law sets out to create an utterly vague and culturally tone-deaf definition of what "kid's content" is defined to be.
The problem is that it is entirely subjective as to what constitutes "kid's content". It's an opinion, more than fact, whether set of identifiers REALLY counts as "kid's content". US law presumes to define one standard that all societies across the world are to be legally bound to? Is that even Constitutionally sound? This seems like it could potentially cross into the territory of a violation of free speech/expression.
This is a matter that has potentially disastrous legal consequences on certain content creators who exist somewhere between the general audience exception and "kid's content", so you NEED to outline an absolutely exact set of criteria as to what qualifies as, beyond ANY form of ambiguity, "kid's content". But how can that possibly be done fairly on a global level and context when the definitions of what counts as "kid's content" differs between cultures and generations? And these standards/outlines have to somehow be applicable within every society and culture, and be amended in light of changes throughout generations, which is exceedingly unlikely to happen. The current outlines are unacceptably vague, and because of this, it is almost guaranteed that many innocent content creators will face penalties where it is not remotely warranted.
Why not instead focus on the real problem in this situation; the gathering of personal data? Personal data should not be obtained through YouTube, Google, Facebook or any other website in any way, regardless of the age of the user. ANYONE can become a victim through the misuse/misappropriation of their online information. Security measures should be put in place that make the misuse of people's personal information far less likely to occur. Then, it wouldn't matter whether kids lie about their age to create a YouTube account. They won't become victims if YouTube (or other entities) are unable to SHARE that personal information.
Another thought: what if you delete your entire channel in an attempt to avoid violating the law? Let's say a certain video on your channel wound up being viewed mostly by kids. Personalized ads were present and the kid's personal data was involved. Are you now guilty of violating COPPA? Can YouTube or FTC go through the records of how and where kids' information was gathered and find your video(s)/channel to be guilty, even if you had no possible way to know? Then what?

what about Kids actors in horror movie on youtube?


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