When YouTube launched a beta version offering a platform for amateur-created videos on February 14, 2005, it was an almost instant success. By the time Google, which had also launched a video site that failed, bought YouTube’s shares in November 2006, it was the largest streaming video platform in the world, with a viewership larger than all the broadcast networks combined.
Now, in 2026, YouTube remains the unrivaled video streaming platform, with specific language versions in many countries, billions of annual views, and a menu of offerings that no one else has been able to match.
With agreements with several major movie and music production companies, the platform offers some first-rate entertainment. Unfortunately, because just about anyone can get a YouTube account and air their work, it also provides some schlocky, frankly unentertaining stuff.
The thing that I take issue with, though, is that it’s also often the source of news and information for some not-so-discriminating consumers. There are, believe it or not, people who take everything they see on YouTube as gospel. My dear, sweet significant other is one of them.
No matter how many times I remind her that not everything she sees on YouTube has been produced by professionals, or that truth and accuracy aren’t the guidelines, she persists in believing that if she’s seen it on YouTube, it must be true.
I’ve tried explaining that, even though YouTube states it moderates content to screen out dangerous or disinformation, the truth is that often their moderation consists of a small-print warning that the content might not be accurate. Even hateful, racist content is frequently left up for a long time, and content that masquerades as news, but that, in fact, is pure fiction, often doesn’t even have a disclaimer.
I tell her that she should check things against well-known mainstream media sites before repeating them, and that, even then, incorrect and sometimes even deliberately misleading information can be aired, but she never does. The result is that I’m hit regularly with a lecture from her about some occurrence somewhere in the world that I know to be a made-up story, and I’m left with a dilemma.
Do I argue with her and try to convince her that the story is false, or do I nod and say, ‘interesting’? You guessed it. After so long, I’ve learned to make a nod and an ‘interesting’ response without even listening.
I still find some YouTube content entertaining, very, very seldom, though, do I find news that doesn’t cause me to cringe.
If you’re a YouTube fanatic, this information, which I know you won’t like, is meant just for you. I’m not saying that you should avoid YouTube. Just keep a salt shaker handy if you’re looking for news and information. A grain of salt comes in handy—even for the entertainment. | NWI
