Alphabet Inc.’s Google is facing mounting pressure from child development experts to stop AI-generated videos from being shown or recommended to children on YouTube and YouTube Kids.
On Wednesday, over 200 experts, organisations, and educational institutions sent a letter to Google CEO Sundar Pichai and YouTube CEO Neal Mohan, raising concerns about the educational value and quality of AI videos targeting young viewers.
“There is much we don’t know about the consequences of AI content for children,” the letter stated.
“YouTube is participating in this uncontrolled experiment by pushing AI-generated content without research demonstrating its benefits and without acknowledging child development principles, which suggest it is likely harmful”.
Support from prominent figures and organisations
Among the signatories were social psychologist Jonathan Haidt, author of The Anxious Generation, child advocacy groups like Fairplay and the National Alliance to Advance Adolescent Health, the American Federation of Teachers, and several schools.
They urged YouTube to halt all investment in the creation of AI-generated videos for children.
AI content booms on YouTube
AI-generated videos have surged in popularity, particularly among content designed for toddlers and young children.
Creators often rely on AI tools to produce videos more quickly and cost-effectively, with some even sharing tutorials on monetising such content for young viewers.
YouTube has acknowledged the need to manage “AI slop” and maintain a safe user experience.
According to experts, the company requires creators to label synthetic or altered content and claims its systems penalise spammy or low-quality productions.
The advocacy groups, however, argued that such labels are unlikely to be meaningful for pre-literate children, who make up a significant portion of the target audience for AI content.
YouTube responds
YouTube has defended its policies, stating that it maintains high standards for content on YouTube Kids and limits AI-generated content.
The platform also requires users to label AI-modified videos and has taken steps against spammy content created using AI.
YouTube CEO Neal Mohan previously stated that managing AI content is a top priority.
Growing scrutiny of social media
Wednesday’s letter comes amid broader efforts to reform social media platforms’ impact on children.
In March, a landmark jury trial on social media addiction found Google and Meta Platforms Inc. liable for harming a young user with products designed to keep her engaged online.
Both companies have announced plans to appeal, but plaintiffs, consumer advocates, and lawmakers are now pushing for changes to some of their most lucrative features, including content recommendation algorithms.
Critics also point to Google’s recent investment in Animaj, an AI animation studio producing content for children, as a source of concern.
They argue that exposing toddlers to AI-generated videos through such channels may exacerbate risks to attention, learning, and social development.
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