YouTube users report obscene NSFW content targeting minors found in video recommendations

Several YouTube users have reported encountering obscene content within video recommendations and mid-roll ads, with NSFW material particularly targeting minors. Some Reddit users have identified channels hosting animations that seem child-friendly but depict inappropriate content, including implied nudity and sexual harassment. These videos lack age restrictions and are accessible to all users, including minors, raising significant concerns given that about 10% of the nearly 2.5 billion monthly active users of Youtube are underage, even if Youtube Kids exists specifically for children.

These channels often redirect viewers to other inappropriate content through video recommendations. Some creators exploit a loophole by initially posting child-friendly content to build a young audience before switching to NSFW material. Channels like "X Studio" exemplify this tactic, starting with innocent animations before transitioning to explicit content. Despite YouTube's efforts to address the issue, it remains relatively easy to create and sustain such channels on the platform, underscoring the urgent need for more stringent age verification and content moderation policies to protect young users.