Fifty-nine per cent of parents don’t use YouTube kid-friendly mode

Common Sense Media is a US-based non-profit that advocates safe use of technology and media for children. It is the source of regular surveys reflecting Americans' opinions on technology addiction and its latest is no different.

An online survey of over 1,000 adults with children under the age of 18 found 47 percent of parents worry their kid is addicted to their mobile device. Yawn. There are more important – and worrying – findings.

Of the parents who allow their children to watch YouTube, 37 percent don't use provided parental controls and 22 per cent didn't even know they existed. And while 81 per cent felt the parent or primary caregiver is responsible for preventing children from seeing inappropriate content on YouTube, 31 per cent are only somewhat or not at all aware of what their child views on the video platform.

Is this a problem? Eleven per cent of parents think their child may frequently encounter inappropriate videos on YouTube while 47 per cent think it is an occasional occurrence. Perhaps the take home message is not to freak out over smartphone-addicted youths but for parents to ensure they are informed enough on all options available for regulating what children have access to.