Context · YouTube
YouTube does not show your child what is best for them, it shows what keeps them watching longest, and those are very different things.
Why this matters for your kid
YouTube measures success in watch time, so every video it suggests is the one most likely to keep your child watching, and the stuff that gets them worked up gets pushed more because it holds attention better. Your kid is what the app is trying to win, not who it is trying to protect.
What your child experiences
They start with a cooking video and end up watching conspiracy theories, and the algorithm does not intend the destination, it just follows engagement signals.
What to watch for
Watch what they are watching after twenty minutes instead of at the start, because the starting video is usually fine, and it is where the algorithm takes them that actually matters.