If you mix kid’s programming and fast food marketing you’ll likely cook up a toxic concoction that is sure to draw negative fire.
That’s what’s happening to Google and its YouTube Kids app that it released in February. Consumer and child advocacy groups allege that the app blends video content and advertisements that are deceptive. The groups, which include the Consumers Union are about to send a letter to the Federal Trade Commission asking it to look into the app programming to see whether it violates any rules around unfair and deceptive marketing practices.
Consumer Watchdog called the app a “walled garden of inappropriate commercialism. Much of YouTube Kids material is blatant commercial messages masquerading as entertainment.”
Google introduced the app with this YouTube video:
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