What Looks Like Safe Kid's Cartoons Online Can Be Hiding A Dark Secret
April 10, 2017
Online Kid's Cartoons Aren't Always Safe For Kids
As times have changed, so have viewing habits -- especially with the younger generation. TV time has become Internet time. Hand-held devices are quickly replacing TV screens. Even for little ones, "Saturday Morning Cartoons" has turned into anytime cartoons in the palm of their tiny hands. And as if parents don't already have enough to worry about these days, it turns out not all those innocent looking online kid's cartoons are actually all that innocent. [caption id="attachment_36032" align="aligncenter" width="750"] Credit: YouTube screenshots[/caption] Internet time is no different than TV time. It's up to parents to limit just how much time their children spend online -- whether it be through the computer, smart phones, tablets or any other device. But they also need to be extremely mindful of what their child is watching online. [rsnippet id="3" name="Article-Ad"]Hidden Danger
YouTube is one of the most popular places to find videos. Naturally, much of the content on there isn't appropriate for children. That's why many parents use the safer alternative of the YouTube Kids app. But even that isn't completely foolproof. Unfortunately, plenty of sketchy people realize that kids are naturally drawn to their favorite characters and cartoons. Show them an image of Mickey and Minnie Mouse, and they're going to click. The problem is YouTube is filled with videos that, at first glance, look just like another online kid's cartoon. But they actually contain adult themes, not suitable for children at all! RELATED: Mom warns of 'sex mod' available for a popular online kids gamePeppa Imposter
Mom Laura June recently shared a story of how her young daughter stumbled upon just one of those videos. Whenever Laura lets her 3-year-old daughter watch videos on her iPad, she's sure to keep a close eye. Like lots of kids, Laura's daughter loves Peppa Pig -- a British cartoon about a pink pig named Peppa and her family aimed at the preschool audience. Laura's daughter clicked on what looked to be just another clip from the popular kid's show. But it took no time for this careful mom to realize this was in no way a safe online kid's show!"Within a few seconds of my daughter pressing play on a video that sounded unlike any Peppa Pig I had ever heard, I went over and pulled the iPad away from her. 'It’s Peppa! I love dis video!' she whined as I looked at it," Laura recalled. "It was obvious that whatever video she’d stumbled on, it definitely wasn’t the Peppa we knew. After hours of hearing the show’s bubbly British cast, you can spot it a mile — or a metre — away. And what I was hearing was… some off-brand Peppa."In this particular video, Peppa went to the dentist where she was tortured with giant needles and all kinds of scary tools. Laura says it was terrifying. And searching showed their were plenty more like it. RELATED: Dad's 'X-plan' is a brilliant way to use technology to help keep kids safe
Not All Kid's Videos Are Created Equal
This kind of bait and switch is not just limited to Peppa. Look for just about any popular kid's character -- from Doc McStuffins, to Mickey Mouse to Elsa from Frozen -- and you'll find hundreds of faux online kid's cartoons containing adult themes. There's even a popular YouTube channel called "Toys and Funny Kids Surprise Eggs." Sounds innocent, right? Go to the channel's homepage and you'd be inclined to believe it was designed specifically for children. The landing page features a picture of a toddler, along with plenty of popular cartoon characters. [caption id="attachment_36036" align="aligncenter" width="750"] Credit: YouTube screenshot[/caption] But start scrolling through the videos and you'll quickly realize there's nothing kid-friendly about this channel at all. You'll find titles like "Hulk Loses His Pants" and "Sexy Frozen Elsa Bath Time." And there are plenty of other equally disturbing videos disguised as online kid's cartoons out there from loads of other users. Sometimes there are cartoon parodies created as jokes for adults. But what's disturbing is that many of these videos were designed to specifically fool children (and adults) into thinking they're safe. The whole purpose of these videos is to trick and then terrify our kids. While YouTube Kids is set up to help provide suitable content for children, the trouble is it's done so in an automated fashion. So, videos just like the nightmarish version of Peppa Pig can slip through these filters. [rsnippet id="2" name="ArticleAd-300x250-3"] So, the lesson is to never just take things at face value, especially when it comes to our kids. Any online use by children should be closely and consistently monitored, regardless of whether or not it's done through a kid's app. As parents, it's our job to protect our kids so we should never just assume something is safe. Please be sure to share this story with anyone with kids or grandkids, to be sure they're aware of the dangerous online kid's cartoons lurking out there! h/t: For Every MomThere's a dangerous social media challenge that's sending kids to the hospital.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Transforming Worry into Trust - Your Daily Prayer - October 24
Worrying does nothing to benefit our lives in any way; it only takes away. It takes away the present moments and present joy you could experience, not to mention it takes away from a peaceful life.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Transforming Worry into Trust - Your Daily Prayer - October 24
Worrying does nothing to benefit our lives in any way; it only takes away. It takes away the present moments and present joy you could experience, not to mention it takes away from a peaceful life.
Past Stories
- 6-Year-Old Starts 'Poop Scooping' Business to Help Animals and Adopt One of His Own
- Bride's dad Drops During Father-Daughter Dance, but Things Lined up Perfectly to Save His Life
- Young North Carolina Father Risked His Life To Save a Couple and Dog From a Sinking Truck
- UPS Driver Jumps into Action As He Spots Elderly Woman on the Ground & Says It Was All God
- Rescuer Braces for the Worst After Spotting Kitten on the Side of the Road, Then Sees a Paw Move
- AJ Griffin Gives Up High-Paying Career with NBA to Follow God
- These Former Conjoined Twins Finally Go Home After Their First Birthday
- Teenager From Iowa Uses His Flying Skills to Help Hurricane Helene Victims
- Son Saves For 9 Months and Surprises Mom By Paying Off Her Mortgage
- Woman's Home is Surrounded By 100 Raccoons, and They Aren't Leaving Anytime Soon
- Dog Saves Her Owner's Life By Sitting in the Middle of the Road
- Widower Shares the Last Thing His Wife Told Their Son Before She Passed Away From Cancer
- A Nurse Saved Her Life 35 Years Ago, Now, She is Surprising Her With a Visit
- These Twin Sisters Have An Important Message To Share On Their 102nd Birthday
- This Brave 5-Year-Old Saved Her Mother's Life By Calling 911
- 79-Year-Old Broke Her Ankle After Scattering Her Mom's Ashes, Then Strangers Save the Day
- Dad Travels Through Mud and Debris to Walk His Daughter Down the Aisle
- Owner's Trip to the Vet with Unwell Dog Results in the Craziest X-Ray
- After Getting Lost in Yellowstone, This Precious Cat Made His Way Back Home To California
- Mom's Funny Response To Daughter's Dirty Sock On The Floor Goes Viral & Ends Up Doing Good
- A Kidnapped Boy Is Found After 70 Years and Reunited With His Family
- This Puppy Was Found With a Note That Read 'Help Me,' Now He's Looking For a New Home
- Excited Mom Couldn't Wait to See Son's Back to School Pictures, but Funny Results Make Her LOL
- When This Police Officer Pulled Her Over, He Changed Her Life Forever
- She Just Met Her Vietnam Veteran Father After 50 Years, Now He is Walking Her Down the Aisle
- Fearless Father Waits on Porch to Catch the Stranger Peeking in His Daughter's Window
- This 5th Grade Teacher Eats Lunch In the Cafeteria Every Day
- Amy Grant Has a New Perspective After Losing Her 'Superpower' in Bike Accident
- 'God Did It' Says 18-Year-Old After Waking Up From a Coma Following a Crash
- These Four Sisters Share a Birthday, Which is Quite the Miracle
- Dad Harmony Sings a Beautiful A Cappella Rendition of ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love'
- Couple's Outstanding Boogie Woogie Dance Performance
- Siblings’ Cover of Dolly Parton’s Classic ‘I Will Always Love You’ Is Incredible
- Pastor and Wife Were Killed in a Car Accident, But Their Kids Have a Message of Hope
- Outstanding 'Amazing Grace' Cover Music Video by Celtic Woman
- Carrie Underwood Helps With Leading Worship at Tennessee Church
- 8-Year-Old Kid's To-Do List Goes Viral As a Wholesome Reminder for Us All
- 'Holy Forever' Lyric Video by Chris Tomlin and CAIN
- Elementary Teacher Talks About the Power of Words and Kindness By Using Toothpaste
- Prayers Pour in for Loretta Lynn's Family After the Death of the Late Singer's First Grandchild
- Dennis Quaid Singing 'On My Way To Heaven" is an Inspiring Performance
- Charming Elderly Couple Share Sweet Dance to 'Have You Ever Seen The Rain?"
- Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick Adorably Sing a Sassy Duet to Celebrate 36 Years of Marriage
- Rory Feek Performs Beautiful Tune 'I Do' After Finding Love Again
- Driver Shows Up to Deliver Pizza to Elderly Man's House, Then Comes Back with His Lawnmower
- What Parents & Grandparents Don't Know About 'Easy' Recipe Trend Could Be Dangerous
- Nearly 1,500 Students Gather to Worship Jesus at Texas A&M Revival
- 96-Year-Old Shares the Secret to a Happy Life and His Words of Wisdom Are Truly Inspiring
- In God's Divine Timing, Wedding Ring Is Returned to Man's Widow After It's Lost for 60+ Years
- Rock Singer's Powerful Rendition of 'I Will Always Love You'
Top Music Videos
CCM Magazine Steven Curtis Chapman Shares the Heartfelt Message that Helped While Grieving His Daughter
Crowder Crowder Moving Official 'Somebody Prayed' Music Video
The Statler Brothers 'Til the Storm Passes By' The Statler Brothers Live Performance
Mandisa Mandisa - Shackles (Praise You)
Anne Wilson Anne Wilson 'The Cross' Powerful Lyric Video
Blogs
At GodTube, you’ll find daily inspirational videos to lift your spirits and encourage you in your walk with God. Popular videos include worship music from your favorite Christian artists, cute videos with adorable kids and animals, hilarious videos from Christian comedians, user-uploaded videos, and clean viral videos to brighten your day.