MANILA, Philippines – US consumer and child advocacy groups will ask the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Tuesday, April 7,to look into Google’s YouTube Kids application. According to the coalition, Google may be targeting toddlers with advertising by mixing commercial content with video programming meant for children.

The San Jose Mercury News reported that the complaint with the FTC accuses YouTube Kids of having commercial content and children’s video programming mixed together « using practices banned on broadcast and cable television by another agency, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). » The coalition’s complaint argued the app violated Section 5 of the FTC’s Act prohibiting unfair and deceptive marketing.

The FCC restrictions came about in the 1970s due to research showing young children weren’t cognitive skilled enough at that age to resist advertising or understand they were being targeted.

Jeff Chester, director of the Center for Digital Democracy, called their request to the FTC « a battle for the hearts and minds and pocketbooks of America’s kids in the digital age. »

« Google simply ignored the basics. » Chester said. « They deliberately ignored the well-documented research on children’s developmental limitations when it comes to advertising and programming. »

A Youtube spokesperson in a statement responded, « When developing YouTube Kids we consulted with numerous partners and child advocacy and privacy groups. We are always open to feedback on ways to improve the app. » – Rappler.com

Magnified YouTube logo image from Shutterstock