YouTube co-founder Steve Chen doesn't want his children watching Shorts

Steve Chen, the co-founder and former Chief Technology Officer of YouTube, shared that he does not want his children to watch short-form content on the video-sharing platform. Chen made the comments during his speech at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Ever since the speech was released on YouTube on July 25, Chen’s views on short-form content have gathered immense scrutiny on the internet. Chen, while sharing his views on short-form content, made it clear that he was speaking from the standpoint of being a parent himself. He said,

“From a user standpoint, from like a parental standpoint, I don’t know if like I want my kids to be watching like short-form content as their only way, and like they can't be there to be able to watch something that’s more than 15 minutes in length.”

While making the comments, Chen importantly made reference to the effects of short-form entertainment content. The entrepreneur’s comments suggested that there is a relationship between short-form content and the dwindling attention spans observed among children today. He further said,

“TikTok is entertainment, but it’s purely entertainment…Shorter form content equates to shorter attention spans.”

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Steve Chen (@steve_s_chen)

While criticizing short-form content consumption by children, Chen further candidly shared that, according to him, consumption of short-form content is not a prerequisite for a child’s happiness. He added,

“If they don’t get exposure to the short-form content right away, then they’re still happy with that other type of content.”

During his speech, the YouTube co-founder shared the nuances of his thinking process. He shed light on the multiple factors around which the present trend of ever-increasing content production and consumption needs to be assessed. In this regard, Chen said,

“There’s this delicate balance between what is going to get users’ eyes and what’s going to monetize more versus what is actually useful.”

YouTube co-founder Steve Chen on addiction to short-form content

The critical opinions shared by the YouTube co-founder carry important relevance today, particularly given the fact that YouTube and TikTok are presently locked in a competitive battle to consolidate their respective positions as the leading platforms for short-form content.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Steve Chen (@steve_s_chen)

The transition-like content available on YouTube was a topic of discussion during the Q&A portion of Chen’s speech. In particular, Chen was asked about the transition that YouTube underwent to respond to the ever-increasing demand for short-form content on the platform. It is noteworthy to remember that when YouTube was launched in 2005, the content posted on the platform was predominantly long-form in nature.

The Q&A session shed light on the important policy changes that could be brought about to limit the pervasiveness of short-form content on platforms such as YouTube. When Chen was asked about the changes he would bring about if he still ran YouTube, he responded,

“Companies that distribute short-form video should add safeguards for kids, such as age restrictions and daily time limits.”

While articulating his thoughts on short-form content and policy changes, Chen displayed his awareness of the addictive nature of content that is of a short duration. About this issue, the entrepreneur referred to the link between vibrant colours, short-form content, and addictive cycles experienced by users.