Peer-reviewed article
Persuasion for protection: an analysis of online safety videos on YouTube
Liuyu Huang, Dion Hoe‐Lian Goh, Stella Xin Yin ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study analysed 220 YouTube videos about online safety to understand what topics they cover and what persuasion techniques they use. The videos mostly focus on teaching safe online behaviours and basic hygiene practices. Nearly half of the videos use a neutral tone, and many provide little evidence to support their messages. The research provides a catalogue of online safety video content to help organisations create more effective safety messages.
Key points
- 220 YouTube PSA videos on online safety were analysed for topics and persuasive features
- Primary focus is on online safety behaviours and general online hygiene instructions
- Nearly half of videos employ a neutral frame; a significant portion provides no evidential support
- Video length was associated with views and likes but not with comments
- The inventory can help identify over and under-represented online safety topics
Limitations
This is a content analysis of existing videos rather than an evaluation of their effectiveness in changing children's behaviour or knowledge. The study does not measure whether these PSAs actually improve online safety outcomes for young people.
Abstract
Purpose Public service announcements (PSAs) have been shown to be effective instruments that raise awareness, educate society, and change behaviors and attitudes. Many governments and organizations have utilized PSAs on social media to promote online safety among children and youth. However, we have limited understanding of the range of topics that these PSAs address and how they present their content to audiences. This study provides an inventory of the types of online safety topics that current PSAs address and a catalogue of the types of persuasive features employed by PSAs. Design/methodology/approach A content analysis of 220 YouTube PSA videos on online safety was conducted. Various topics under the umbrella of online safety were identified. Guided by the prospect theory and exemplification theory, different persuasive features employed in the PSAs were sought. Findings The findings highlight that the primary focus of these PSAs is on online safety behaviors and general instructions on online hygiene. Interestingly, nearly half of the videos employ a neutral frame, while a significant portion provides no evidential support. Additionally, video length was associated with the number of views and likes it gathered but not with the number of comments. Originality/value The inventory of PSAs can help researchers, practitioners, and policymakers better understand the type of content being produced and disseminated online as well as identify topics that are either over or under-represented. Further, the catalogue of the types of persuasive features employed by PSAs would be helpful in guiding research, practice, and policymaking in the context of creating effective online safety videos.