Google / YouTube
Google operates YouTube, the world's largest video platform, along with Search, Drive, and other services. Google invented and open-sourced the Content Safety API and actively reports CSAM to NCMEC. Its subsidiary YouTube was fined $170M in 2019 for COPPA violations but has since introduced significant child safety features.
Above average — meaningful safety investments with room for improvement in specific areas.
1,175,084
NCMEC Reports (2024)
1,470,958
NCMEC Reports (2023)
↓ 20.1%
Year-over-Year Change
NCMEC Reports Comparison (2024)
How Google / YouTube's reporting volume compares to other major platforms.
Safety Features Assessment
✓ What They Have
- ✓Hash-matching (PhotoDNA + proprietary CSAM Match tool)
- ✓Content Safety API made available to other companies
- ✓YouTube restricted mode and supervised accounts
- ✓YouTube Kids app with curated content
- ✓Family Link parental controls
- ✓Trained classifiers for grooming/enticement in comments
✗ What's Missing or Failing
- ✗YouTube algorithm has recommended inappropriate content to children
- ✗2019 FTC settlement: $170M fine for YouTube COPPA violations
- ✗Scale of platform makes comprehensive moderation challenging
Lawsuits & Enforcement Actions
Part of Social Media Adolescent Addiction MDL
2019 FTC settlement: $170M fine for YouTube COPPA violations
Platform Comparison
| Platform | Grade | 2024 Reports | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meta (Facebook & Instagram) | D | 11,910,365 | ↓ 59.3% |
| C | 1,851,086 | ↑ 33.2% | |
| TikTok | C | 1,359,806 | ↑ 130.3% |
| Google / YouTube | B | 1,175,084 | ↓ 20.1% |
| Snapchat | D | 1,174,698 | ↑ 64.7% |
| Twitter / X | D | 686,176 | ↓ 21.2% |
| Discord | C | 241,354 | ↓ 28.9% |
| Microsoft / Xbox | B | 102,657 | ↓ 27.2% |
What Parents Should Know
Set up Google Family Link for children under 13 to manage YouTube and Search settings.
Enable YouTube Restricted Mode and consider using YouTube Kids for younger children.
Review Google account activity regularly through the Family Link dashboard.
Review and enable all available parental controls on this platform.
Have regular conversations with your child about their online activity.
Monitor friend/follower lists and direct messages periodically.