--- title: "YouTube’s Plan to Protect Your Kids from Watching ISIS Snuff Films: Math Problems" description: "YouTube Kids is using basic math problems to ensure that young children don't access content that they're not supposed to be watching." date: "2019-08-30" modified: "2019-09-04" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/youtube-childlock-math-problems" categories: - "Future Society" tags: - "children" - "Kids" - "the digest" - "YouTube" --- # YouTube’s Plan to Protect Your Kids from Watching ISIS Snuff Films: Math Problems ![YouTube Kids is using basic math problems to ensure that young children don't access content that they're not supposed to be watching.]() *\Image: Victor Tangermann\* ## 3 x 8 = 24 Video-sharing platform YouTube [just launched]() YouTube Kids, a website dedicated to offering a safe haven for children to watch YouTube videos. And in order to ensure those kids aren't watching videos meant for grown-ups, they've decided to employ the deadliest weapon in elementary level education: basic match. Screenshots uploaded by an editor for *Independent Journal Review,* Josh Billinson, to Twitter earlier today show the authentication screen children will be faced with when trying to access content meant for children above the age of four, seven, or twelve — depending on the setting chosen by the parent. To get past it, users have to solve extremely basic math problems, including basic multiplication. "Good luck cracking this one, kids," Billinson adds. https://twitter.com/jbillinson/status/1167446484599660544 Too many failed attempts are met with a red notice screen, instructing parents to get their kids the hell away from their iPad. ## Childproofing YouTube The news comes after YouTube is [expected to disclose]() a settlement with the Federal Communications Commisssion (FCC). Earlier this year, the FCC ruled that YouTube was in violation of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) by serving content to children under thee age of 13 without consent. In the meantime, children will be able to access the wealth of educational content — and plenty of pointless memes and chicanery — on YouTube through YouTube Kids. Let's just hope they won't figure out how to use Google to solve basic math problems. **READ MORE:** [YouTube Kids launches on the web]() \[*TechCrunch*\] **More on YouTube:** *[YouTube Sues Man for Allegedly Swatting a Minecraft Streamer]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()