If you thought AI-generated junk flooding the internet was bad, wait till you see what’s being served to toddlers. In the last few months, a growing wave of YouTube Creators are churning out low-effort “AI slop” content, which could negatively affect babies.
According to a report by Bloomberg, AI slop – a term used to define low-quality, mass produced digital content that lacks originality is making its way to content consumed by those under the age of two years. This type of content also includes authentic photos or videos with overlaid AI voices.
YouTube Kids, designed for ages between 2 to 12, isnt for those under the age of two. However, a report by Pew Research Center claims that infants and toddlers are winding up there regardless, with more than 60 per cent of parents with a child younger than two saying that their baby watches YouTube.
While the report does not share any metrics on how much YouTube for Kids is now dominated by AI slop, it looks like creators have grabbed the oppurutunity to push videos regardless. The report goes on to say that there are several creators with more than a million followers who are uploading videos telling others how to generated low quality AI videos which are eventually consumed by kids.
In a statement to Bloomberg, Michael Robb, a developmental psychologist said that AI is giving creators “an unbelievable mechanism to generate a high quantity of low-quality videos that are purporting to be educational or good for kids.” While YouTube itself has tried to crackdown on AI slop, YouTubers are still using the technology to exploit kids without breaking any rules, and many of these videos are still online and garnering views.
© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd
