How the YouTube Algorithm Works
How the YouTube Algorithm Works
YouTube analyzes every interaction — which videos are watched, for how long, what's skipped. The system constantly learns what attracts your child and shows more of exactly that.
Step 1: A video starts
Your child clicks on a video. YouTube immediately starts measuring: How long is it watched? Is it seen to the end? What gets skipped?
Step 2: Autoplay kicks in
When the video ends, the next one starts automatically. Your child doesn't need to click anything — YouTube decides what comes next.
Step 3: Recommendations get more targeted
YouTube learns what your child likes. Suggestions become more precise and more intense. What started as 'just one video' turns into hours of watching.
Step 4: Stopping becomes harder
Every new video is designed to seem more interesting than the last. The algorithm optimizes for maximum watch time — not for your child going to bed on time.
Tubsy
Tubsy Turns Off the Algorithm
In Tubsy, there are no recommendations, no autoplay, and no suggestion feed. Your child sees a feed with exactly the channels and videos you've approved — and nothing else.
∞ more recommendations...
Only your approved content
- No autoplay between videos
- No algorithmic recommendations
- Only your approved content is visible
- Time limit automatically stops consumption