[port11]

Agreed. We understand that some parents in our milieu rely on YouTube for when they need to get stuff done, it’s pretty relatable.

What we ended up doing: download a few dozen videos from the channels we think are good for kids. I hate CocoMelon’s fast-paced videos, but find SuperSimpleSongs agreeable, so we now have a Jellyfin section for toddler videos that teach him something.

Screen time in general is highly advised against, but for that odd moment where we need extra entertainment, at least he’s watching something we’ve vetted. YouTube Kids is a cesspool of content, and your ability to block bad channels is ineffective since they pop up like moles.

[brnt]

> We understand that some parents in our milieu rely on YouTube for when they need to get stuff done

Certainly is, I can't get around this sometimes in order to do chores either. This is why I have a variety of kids movies, shows, series on disk. Plenty of variety, but all vetted.

[port11]

We were strictly no-screen parents until we were both super sick and the toddler was his usual energetic self. “Just let him watch some videos…” </3

[brnt]

My son does not care about video (yet?), which is good. But sometimes when I'm alone and I just must do the chore and they just won't play on their own for 10 minutes (which thankfully they often do), I don't see another way. I mean, I don't feel safe handling hot pans when a toddler just glues itself to my legs. I can lock them in their rooms, but that does not seem better to me (they'll be very upset).