The YouTube Kids application threatens parents with the use of promotional advertisements for 'junk food' according to a study done by the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood (CCFC) and the Center for Digital Democracy (CDD).
The two groups filed complaints against the Federal Trade Commission about the proposed issue before the application is launched in the US within this year.
According to their study, the groups claim to have found promotional videos for products from 17 food and drinks manufacturers, including 47 TV advertisement and 11 longer videos for Coke and Coke Zero; as well as 31 advertisements and 21 promotional placements for the brand Oreos.
In this note, complaints were raised against both companies, Coca-Cola and Oreo's, after allegedly promising not to market their product to children. An on going investigation is set by the FTC for the 17 companies planning to display their advertisements on the application.
Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood executive director Josh Golin said "Far from being a safe place for kids to explore, YouTube Kids is awash with food and beverage marketing that you won't find on other media platforms for young children."
Executive director, Jeff Chester of Center for Digital Democracy adds, "Our new complaints underscore why the FTC needs to stop Google from engaging in what are nothing less than harmful, unethical, and irresponsible practices that target America's youngest children."
In reply to this issue, people at You Tube comments that it on shows family-friendly advertisements and that all of these advertisements undergo rigorous review process for compliance with their policy.
You tube says, "YouTube Kids prohibits paid advertising for all food and beverage brands. We also ask YouTube creators to disclose if their videos contain paid product placement or incentivized endorsements and we exclude those videos from the YouTube Kids app".
EvanTubeHD, a popular children's channel in You Tube, regularly publishes "unboxing" videos featuring toys and other products. The CCFC and CDD are calling for regulators to investigate whether the commercial relationships between children's channels and brands are being properly disclosed.