What are some good Youtube channels on current events for a 13-year-old?
January 10, 2025 4:38 AM Subscribe
A 13-year-old of my acquaintance is very interested in current events and Youtube, and I don't want to see the algorithm steer him into a cesspit of hatred. What channels should I recommend to help encourage a non-hateful, reality-based view of the world?
To be honest, I would not trust YouTube as a news source for a 13 year old at all. At the very least, if you have access, make sure you go in regularly to see what is being recommended and mark things "don't recommended this channel" or " not interested". If you don't have that access and they're going to watch news on YouTube, make sure that they know it's an option for any channel that makes them feel manipulated. It's not a front and center option.
My ex started out watching Democracy Now and it led him to the worst radicalizing channels out there (hence, ex). It was literally recommending Democracy Now at the same time as Alex Jones. My ex was someone who previously never expressed hateful views and when we broke up he had changed his politics completely.
This was about 7-8 years ago, so hopefully things have gotten better, but the whole experience was awful to witness. Yes, it was his "fault" in some ways for being gullible, but they really pull you in by using titles that you feel like you have to click on and then feed you a story about why you're actually the one being persecuted. And first they'll recommend light conspiracy videos like "what is this unique rock formation, isn't it cool?" More and more conspiracy gets added in and soon the democrats are lizard people who eat babies.
posted by Eyelash at 5:16 AM on January 10 [23 favorites]
My ex started out watching Democracy Now and it led him to the worst radicalizing channels out there (hence, ex). It was literally recommending Democracy Now at the same time as Alex Jones. My ex was someone who previously never expressed hateful views and when we broke up he had changed his politics completely.
This was about 7-8 years ago, so hopefully things have gotten better, but the whole experience was awful to witness. Yes, it was his "fault" in some ways for being gullible, but they really pull you in by using titles that you feel like you have to click on and then feed you a story about why you're actually the one being persecuted. And first they'll recommend light conspiracy videos like "what is this unique rock formation, isn't it cool?" More and more conspiracy gets added in and soon the democrats are lizard people who eat babies.
posted by Eyelash at 5:16 AM on January 10 [23 favorites]
Vlogbrothers (Hank and John Green) and all their projects are great, and often contain commentary on current events along with context and education. The company they started is called Complexly, and includes channels on a variety of topics. I’d particularly recommend Crash Course and Hankschannel.
posted by ourobouros at 5:30 AM on January 10 [5 favorites]
posted by ourobouros at 5:30 AM on January 10 [5 favorites]
Related to Eyelash’s comment, make sure autoplay is turned off so it doesn’t just immediately jump to the next thing it wants to feed you.
posted by Winnie the Proust at 5:30 AM on January 10 [10 favorites]
posted by Winnie the Proust at 5:30 AM on January 10 [10 favorites]
BBC Newsround is a pretty self contained site with news and related activities.
posted by Iteki at 5:47 AM on January 10 [4 favorites]
posted by Iteki at 5:47 AM on January 10 [4 favorites]
FRANCE 24 English – LIVE is on YouTube but also embedded on a self-contained site with print articles.
posted by Wobbuffet at 6:51 AM on January 10 [3 favorites]
posted by Wobbuffet at 6:51 AM on January 10 [3 favorites]
What channels should I recommend to help encourage a non-hateful, reality-based view of the world
The problem is that there are none because of the algorithm. Think of it as a whirlpool. You can start out in calm waters, but the current leads inevitably downwards into the hole. You have to constantly paddle in the opposite direction to stay out of the hole.
I like to watch science videos. The channels that I like are run by reasonable, progressive (or probably progressive) people; there's nothing in the videos themselves and I'd happily recommend them to a kid interested in science. But because the audience for a lot of these videos skews male, this tells the algorithm to show me more content that appeals to males. And guess what a lot of that content is?
I like to watch game reviews and the like - Jacob Geller, Polygon, and a few streamers for games I play myself. None of these individuals are toxic. But you can imagine with the algorithm thinks I want to see more of. That's right, did you know that Veilgaurd is a failure because you can make a TRANS character? GO WOKE GO BROKE
I cannot watch any sorts of politics videos, no matter what channel, without hateful right-wing content being just a step or two away.
I would feel very uncomfortable with a teenaged boy using youtube without a lot of supervision/education. I imagine there's a similar pipeline for girls into the tradwife/beauty space, which is sadder but less scary.
I don't know what the solution is, but I imagine it depends on your relationship and personal stance regarding internet use. Aggressively training the algorithm by blocking channels and signalling that you're not interested works but it takes some time and you need to maintain it. Feeding the algorithm female creators also seems to curb it a bit - it seems like watching a fully clothed woman explaining something to you tells the algorithm that you're not the target audience for manosphere bullshit. Weird!
There's Nebula? It's a Youtube alternative run by creators that has no algorithm and current events / science / engineering / culture channels. It's better for creators and massively less toxic. I haven't watched the current event ones since I'd rather tear my hair out these days, but it might be worth looking into. Most of these creators are also on Youtube.
But if you're just a friend who can pass on channel recommendations, and can't do anything to manage how they use Youtube, I don't know what I'd recommend. Nothing is safe.
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 7:28 AM on January 10 [8 favorites]
The problem is that there are none because of the algorithm. Think of it as a whirlpool. You can start out in calm waters, but the current leads inevitably downwards into the hole. You have to constantly paddle in the opposite direction to stay out of the hole.
I like to watch science videos. The channels that I like are run by reasonable, progressive (or probably progressive) people; there's nothing in the videos themselves and I'd happily recommend them to a kid interested in science. But because the audience for a lot of these videos skews male, this tells the algorithm to show me more content that appeals to males. And guess what a lot of that content is?
I like to watch game reviews and the like - Jacob Geller, Polygon, and a few streamers for games I play myself. None of these individuals are toxic. But you can imagine with the algorithm thinks I want to see more of. That's right, did you know that Veilgaurd is a failure because you can make a TRANS character? GO WOKE GO BROKE
I cannot watch any sorts of politics videos, no matter what channel, without hateful right-wing content being just a step or two away.
I would feel very uncomfortable with a teenaged boy using youtube without a lot of supervision/education. I imagine there's a similar pipeline for girls into the tradwife/beauty space, which is sadder but less scary.
I don't know what the solution is, but I imagine it depends on your relationship and personal stance regarding internet use. Aggressively training the algorithm by blocking channels and signalling that you're not interested works but it takes some time and you need to maintain it. Feeding the algorithm female creators also seems to curb it a bit - it seems like watching a fully clothed woman explaining something to you tells the algorithm that you're not the target audience for manosphere bullshit. Weird!
There's Nebula? It's a Youtube alternative run by creators that has no algorithm and current events / science / engineering / culture channels. It's better for creators and massively less toxic. I haven't watched the current event ones since I'd rather tear my hair out these days, but it might be worth looking into. Most of these creators are also on Youtube.
But if you're just a friend who can pass on channel recommendations, and can't do anything to manage how they use Youtube, I don't know what I'd recommend. Nothing is safe.
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 7:28 AM on January 10 [8 favorites]
Following Eyelash and Winnie, I would recommend installing an extension such as Distraction Free YouTube. This lets you selectively turn off YouTube comments and recommendations and other distracting features
posted by jknx at 7:29 AM on January 10 [2 favorites]
posted by jknx at 7:29 AM on January 10 [2 favorites]
Maybe before jumping into news sites, start with media literacy videos. The inflammatory stuff is nigh-unavoidable these days.
posted by Eikonaut at 7:39 AM on January 10 [2 favorites]
posted by Eikonaut at 7:39 AM on January 10 [2 favorites]
I really like the vlogbrothers and hankschannel recommendation.
I can also say, as someone who mainly watches YouTube rather than tv/Netflix, etc, I do not get hateful content at all. Clearly this is related to my steering the channel for many years now, but it is definitely possible and reasonable to expect you can have a pleasant feed.
posted by Glinn at 8:47 AM on January 10 [4 favorites]
I can also say, as someone who mainly watches YouTube rather than tv/Netflix, etc, I do not get hateful content at all. Clearly this is related to my steering the channel for many years now, but it is definitely possible and reasonable to expect you can have a pleasant feed.
posted by Glinn at 8:47 AM on January 10 [4 favorites]
Forget youtube. Get them a Nebula subscription ($6/month) and have them watch the channels from TLDR News. No algorithm whatsoever to push them into undesirable rabbit holes. Some content on Nebula might not be recommended for a 13 year old, but you'd have to search for it, and I've never seen anything horribly objectionable. Meanwhile there's tons of other good educational content and the good very much would outweigh anything less good (and I seriously cannot think of anything horrible, but I admittedly cant and don't watch everything).
Memail me and i'll try and figure out how to send you a gift sub, which if i recall is a week free.
On edit: if a paid sub isn't in the cards, I'll +1 the recommendations from the Green brothers and any channels they are a part of even if not directly hosting. There are generations of kids who education has come from CrashCourse, and its making the world a better place.
posted by cgg at 9:09 AM on January 10 [5 favorites]
Memail me and i'll try and figure out how to send you a gift sub, which if i recall is a week free.
On edit: if a paid sub isn't in the cards, I'll +1 the recommendations from the Green brothers and any channels they are a part of even if not directly hosting. There are generations of kids who education has come from CrashCourse, and its making the world a better place.
posted by cgg at 9:09 AM on January 10 [5 favorites]
Came here to suggest Nebula and TLDR, and am pleased that it was already covered. TLDR's videos are concise, focused on topic, and are generally presented as "here's what's happening" without a lot of editorializing. The presenters are also young-ish, which may be more relatable and appealing for a teen.
posted by xedrik at 9:27 AM on January 10 [2 favorites]
posted by xedrik at 9:27 AM on January 10 [2 favorites]
Some of Last Week Tonight’s segments might be good, maybe a bit vulgar but 🤷♀️
posted by meowmeowdream at 11:05 AM on January 10 [1 favorite]
posted by meowmeowdream at 11:05 AM on January 10 [1 favorite]
The Juice Media - playlist of PG versions - satirical takes on current events, generally pro human rights and pro civil rights, made in Australia but covers a lot of global topics (be aware that "Liberal" is the name of the main right-wing party in Australia)
posted by Phssthpok at 11:56 AM on January 10
posted by Phssthpok at 11:56 AM on January 10
Also here to suggest John and Hank Green, both for vlogbrothers and their own channels (particularly Hank).
This might be a little old for him, but I'd also suggest Charlie Cr1TiKaL, who is very popular and has overall some good takes (he does touch on some very mature topics though, and a lot of his content is gaming oriented)
The problem is that there are none because of the algorithm. Think of it as a whirlpool.
I very strongly disagree with this. Possibly this is because I'm not male, but my 18 year old is, and neither of us get recommended hateful content.
I also think that the people recommending big mainstream news sources are off base. PBS and the BBC are not going to be a big hit with a 13 year old. What you're looking for is creators who make "mogul mail" type videos (a mix of news and entertainment content) while talking about current events.
LegalEagle might be a good choice.
TheLefistCooks (although their stuff is more longform and might not be of interest to a new teen)
MrBeat
HasanAbi is more on Twitch than YT but he makes a lot of shorts
The Big Think
Economics Explained, particularly their shorts
Today I found out and really all of Simon's associated channels
Wired
I would also agree with talking with him about media literacy. At 13, a lot of kids are very much about fairness, which can include wanting to hear out both sides, which isn't a problem as long as both sides are telling the truth. The Big Think has a three minute long video about propaganda that can be a great starting point in those conversations.
posted by anastasiav at 12:30 PM on January 10 [1 favorite]
This might be a little old for him, but I'd also suggest Charlie Cr1TiKaL, who is very popular and has overall some good takes (he does touch on some very mature topics though, and a lot of his content is gaming oriented)
The problem is that there are none because of the algorithm. Think of it as a whirlpool.
I very strongly disagree with this. Possibly this is because I'm not male, but my 18 year old is, and neither of us get recommended hateful content.
I also think that the people recommending big mainstream news sources are off base. PBS and the BBC are not going to be a big hit with a 13 year old. What you're looking for is creators who make "mogul mail" type videos (a mix of news and entertainment content) while talking about current events.
LegalEagle might be a good choice.
TheLefistCooks (although their stuff is more longform and might not be of interest to a new teen)
MrBeat
HasanAbi is more on Twitch than YT but he makes a lot of shorts
The Big Think
Economics Explained, particularly their shorts
Today I found out and really all of Simon's associated channels
Wired
I would also agree with talking with him about media literacy. At 13, a lot of kids are very much about fairness, which can include wanting to hear out both sides, which isn't a problem as long as both sides are telling the truth. The Big Think has a three minute long video about propaganda that can be a great starting point in those conversations.
posted by anastasiav at 12:30 PM on January 10 [1 favorite]
Crash Course does in fact have a great video series on media literacy -- I highly recommend it!
posted by ourobouros at 12:36 PM on January 10 [2 favorites]
posted by ourobouros at 12:36 PM on January 10 [2 favorites]
My teen is a big fan of Extra History, which is mostly historical but often links those events to current events. I only catch bits and pieces, but I’ve never heard a cesspit adjacent dog whistle. (FWIW, in re: the secondary conversation happening, he watches plenty of stuff I find obnoxious on an aesthetic level, but he seems to sidestep any nefarious algorithm easily.)
I’ll nth Crash Course too, as a useful contextualizing force.
posted by tchemgrrl at 1:43 PM on January 10
I’ll nth Crash Course too, as a useful contextualizing force.
posted by tchemgrrl at 1:43 PM on January 10
In addition to the conspiracy/hate videos, there are unexpected fetish corners to watch out for. I watched what was supposedly a cooking video where the recipe turned out to make no sense, and all of a sudden it started recommending a whole slew of them. (I guess they're for folks who really like watching ladies stir things?)
Not the most harmful thing in the world, but there are lots of odd corners to stumble into on YouTube, and I'd bet if you watch enough of those, it starts recommending more harmful things.
Someone above suggested that you go through once in a while and mark things "don't recommended this channel" or "not interested". I'd suggest doing this with him as well, to show him how to curate his feed.
It would also be a good lesson to watch something he's not interested in, and then show him how aggressively it keeps suggesting that content. I watched one seal rescue video the other day, and YouTube decided I was now a marine mammal rescue fanatic!
posted by Blue Jello Elf at 4:28 PM on January 10
Not the most harmful thing in the world, but there are lots of odd corners to stumble into on YouTube, and I'd bet if you watch enough of those, it starts recommending more harmful things.
Someone above suggested that you go through once in a while and mark things "don't recommended this channel" or "not interested". I'd suggest doing this with him as well, to show him how to curate his feed.
It would also be a good lesson to watch something he's not interested in, and then show him how aggressively it keeps suggesting that content. I watched one seal rescue video the other day, and YouTube decided I was now a marine mammal rescue fanatic!
posted by Blue Jello Elf at 4:28 PM on January 10
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posted by HearHere at 4:46 AM on January 10 [3 favorites]