YouTube
Digital environment
What is Digital environment ?
Apps and environments young people use
Type of digital environment:
- Algorithmic recommendations
Age restriction: 13
YouTube is an online video sharing and social media platform.
Risks and motivations
Risks
Young people who use YouTube may be exposed to digital risk factors like:
- algorithmic radicalisation
- sharing of extreme content
- drug trafficking
- start-up scams
- shock sites
- online drug and gang culture
Young people using YouTube may also experience:
Motivations
Young people might use YouTube to:
- build relationships and networks
- build confidence
- develop skills
- share expertise and interests
- make money
- have fun
- learn something new
What you can do
How to report content in this environment
How to close an account in this environment
![](https://online-risk-guide.barnardos.org.uk/transforms/_540xAUTO_crop_center-center_none/3239/GettyImages-1405778995-1.webp)
Share your experience of YouTube
You can tell us about:
- other terms you might have heard
- conversations you’ve had with young people
- a related platform or app
- another related risk or harm