We see children watching YouTube everywhere, in supermarkets, restaurants and on public transport. Children often have their own devices and they know exactly how to navigate their way around.
It’s a lifesaver for parents who want to get to a destination without pulling their hair out or whizz around a shop without discussing every purchase until blue in the face.
As more than a distraction tactic, YouTube for kids offers countless opportunities for children to learn songs, nurture interests and discover new and wonderful things.
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How much screen time is recommended?
The World Health Organization (WHO) has very strict recommendations for children under the age of 5. The guidelines state that screen time is not recommended for children under the age of 1 years old.
For children between the ages of 1 and 2 years old, WHO suggests a maximum of an hour per day of screen time.
The suggestion for children between the ages of 3 and 4 is the same with a maximum of an hour per day.
For children aged 5 years and over they recommend that consistent limits are set on screen time to allow time for social interaction, outdoor activities etc
In reality, according to the NHS, children in the UK between the ages of 5 and 16 years old spend an average of 2-3 hours per day watching television, 1-3 hours on the internet, 1-2 hours playing video games and over an hour on mobile devices. A total of 6.3 hours per day using a screen of some description.
Which are the most popular channels?
In 2019, Ofcom found that children between the ages of 5 and 15 were more likely to choose YouTube over other services such as Netflix.
They also discovered that children between the ages of 3 and 4 using Youtube had more than doubled between 2015 and 2019.
This is supported by 34% of parents who say their child regularly watches content on YouTube.
It’s clear that YouTube is a popular choice for children but Hosting.co.uk wanted to identify which videos are the most popular.
Hosting.co.uk looked at each of the most subscribed-to children-themed YouTube channels and uncovered which were the most watched.
According to Statistica, as of September 2021 the ‘most popular children-themed YouTube channels, ranked by number of subscribers’ were:
ChuChu TV Nursery Rhymes & Kids Songs: 51.6 million
El Reino Infantil: 45.3 million
LittleBabyBum: 37 million
Masha and the Bear: 35.5 million
Ryan’s World: 30.6 million
Galinha Pintadinha: 28.1 million
CVS 3D Rhymes & Kids Songs: 28 million
ToyPuddingTV: 26.1 million
Peppa Pig – Official channel: 25.1 million
Bounce Patrol – Kids songs: 24.4 million
What about the 5 most watched videos?
Hosting.co.uk analysed each YouTube channel to see which children’s video was the most watched and found that Baby Shark Dance was the most watched video with 9.7 billion views!
Pinkfong Baby Shark, 9.7B
Orignially a camp fire song, “baby shark” boomed in 2016 when a South Korean entertainment company, Pinkfong, released a version of the song with a music video that went viral. This video became the most-viewed YouTube of all time with over 9 billion views.
LooLoo Kids – Nursery Rhymes and Children’s Songs – Johny Johny Yes Papa, 5.9B
LooLoo Kids is an initiative that was created as a edutainment to provide children with quality content. The team is made up of over 100 professionals, musicians, lyricists, singers and animators.
Cocomelon Bath Song – Nursery Rhymes, 4.7B
An American YouTube channel and streaming media show acquired by Moonbug entertainment in the UK. Initially launched in 2006. Cocomelon specialises in 3D animation videos of traditional nursery rhymes and original children’s songs.
ChuChu TV Phonics Song with Two Words, 4.3 B
Phonics Song with TWO Words was the second most popular video. ChuChu TV is an Indian channel known for its educational videos for tots. The account has been active since 2013.
Little BabyBum – Wheels on the Bus, 2.4B
LittleBabyBum is a fun and educational show for children showcasing classic and new nursery rhymes. Created in 2011 and led by Mia and her friends and family. This channel originated in England and is created specifically for children between the ages of 1 and 4.
Keeping safe on YouTube
YouTube is popular and children love the characters and songs they regularly watch but how can we keep them safe?
When it comes to the internet it is especially important that we are well versed on how best to protect from inappropriate content.
Some steps you can take to ensure visibility and safety is creating a family account so that all videos being watched and suggested can be tracked. Make sure to turn on restricted mode too.
Know what is being watched. If it isn’t a brand you’re aware of then take the time to vet a few videos and ensure that it is appropriate for your child’s age.
Take the time to set parental controls. This will take care of what your child is exposed to – but always look in and make sure you’re happy with what they’re watching.
To wrap up
The world is moving at a remarkable pace and our youngsters know how to navigate technology much better than we ever imagined. YouTube is amazing, it offers an endless number of learning opportunities for children but maintaining control over access should always be a priority.
