Video content is now a daily part of children’s lives, shaping the way they learn, have fun, and connect with the world. With the rise of online video platforms, conversations are growing about how to keep content educational and safe for young audiences. The Push for More Educational Video Content Online Recently, the UK government’s culture secretary, Lisa Nandy, addressed major video-sharing platforms including YouTube and TikTok. She urged these companies to actively promote and share more educational videos aimed at children. While YouTube has made strides in improving the quality of its children’s content, Nandy emphasized that the platform must do more to ensure educational material is easy for children to find and access. How Video Watching Has Changed: Reflecting and Discussing in the Classroom Predicting and Sharing Experiences Begin your classroom discussion by inviting students to predict what this week’s Picture News story is about, based on the poster. Encourage them to share personal experiences about watching videos online. Questions could include: How do they usually watch videos? Do they use a laptop, tablet, or television? What shows do they choose, and how do they decide what to watch? Comparing Past and Present Viewing Habits Lead a discussion about how parents or grandparents used to watch shows compared with today. What devices did previous generations use? Are there differences in the types of content watched or the ways families watched together? Students can watch a relevant video resource about changing viewing habits to spark ideas, and even invite older relatives to share their experiences. The Impact of Technology Technology has dramatically altered viewing habits. Ask students how TVs, tablets, phones, and streaming services have changed their experiences. Is having more choice always a positive thing? What are the benefits and drawbacks of having so much video content readily available? Looking to the Future Encourage children to imagine what video-watching might look like in ten or twenty years. Will there be new devices or technologies? What might children in the future enjoy watching? Discussing Online Content: Safety and Quality Choosing What to Watch and Why It Matters Reflect on the different reasons people watch videos—learning new things, having fun, or following stories. Students can discuss their favourite content and share if they have ever learned something surprising from a video. What kinds of shows or channels inspire them or teach new skills? Recognising Helpful and Trustworthy Videos Help students think critically about the content they watch. What makes a video helpful or true? Should there be more rules on platforms like YouTube to protect younger viewers? Remind students that adults and older siblings can help them make good choices and that it’s important to set rules at home for watching videos. Staying Safe Online Safety remains a priority. Discuss simple advice for making smart viewing choices: check who made the video, ask an adult for guidance, and decide together what is safe and suitable. What should students do if they see something online that makes them uncomfortable? Classroom Activities and Follow-Ups What can we learn from the content we watch? How has what young people watch changed over time? Should YouTube have more rules for younger users? Reflecting on these questions guides children in making responsible choices and staying safe online. Activity Ideas for the Classroom 1. Write a Video Review Invite students to choose a video they’ve enjoyed and write a review. Prompts may include the video title, creator, its purpose, what they learned or enjoyed, and suggestions for improvements. As an extension, they can record their review on camera and share it with the class. 2. Hold a Class Debate Debate whether having more choices when watching videos is always better. Split the class into two teams: one supports more choice, the other highlights the potential downsides. Each group presents opening statements, rebuttals, and closing arguments, encouraging thoughtful discussion. 3. Create a Venn Diagram Have students compare viewing habits from the past and present using a Venn diagram. Topics could include: types of content, devices used, picture and sound quality, and whether viewing was solo or shared. Encourage creativity—using colors, symbols, or drawings to illustrate their research. 4. Design a Safety Poster Ask students to create a poster with their top tips for staying safe when watching videos online. Ideas might cover checking with an adult, verifying if a video is suitable, setting screen-time limits, or knowing what to do if they see upsetting content. An eye-catching design will help share their message with the wider school community. Key Terms to Know Account: A personal login that allows users to upload, share, or interact with content online. Billion: One thousand million. YouTube sees billions of video views each day. Broadcasters: Individuals or organizations that produce and share content on TV or online platforms. Culture Secretary: The government official responsible for overseeing the UK’s cultural industries—including media and the internet. Site: An online space or platform where content can be accessed, such as YouTube. Teenagers: Young people aged 13 to 19. Reflecting on Our Video Choices As the way we watch and learn from videos continues to evolve, it’s more important than ever for young people to think about what they watch, stay safe online, and use content as a tool for learning and inspiration. Adults can play an important role in guiding choices and encouraging positive use of technology. By understanding past and present trends—and imagining the future—we can make the most of everything educational and entertaining videos have to offer. Explore the latest Picture News resources here: https://picture-news.co.uk/free-sample Join our latest discussion here: https://picture-news.co.uk/discuss Explore our recent events and training here: https://picture-news.co.uk/training
