[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16.1″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” background_enable_color=”on” min_height=”65px” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.qustodio.com\/public-site\/uploads\/2014\/11\/30141823\/Blog_WhatIsUnboxingHero.png” alt=”what is unboxing and why is it so popular” title_text=”Blog_WhatIsUnboxingHero” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||24px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-80px||-80px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”2476.8px” custom_margin=”48px|auto||auto|false|false” custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”90px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
What could be better than tearing off the wrapping paper for a surprise gift? Or opening up a long-awaited mail order? Judging by views alone on YouTube and TikTok, watching someone else do just the same thing. Unboxing videos are a big deal on nearly <\/span>all <\/span><\/i>video platforms: the hashtag #unboxing has racked up not just millions, but <\/span>billions of views on TikTok<\/span><\/a>, and YouTubers dedicated to the trend have risen to become some of the most popular on the platform.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The trend has been around for a long time on the internet, but one of its most curious aspects is the phenomenal popularity the videos enjoy among young watchers. Let\u2019s take a look at <\/span>why kids love unboxing videos<\/b>, and <\/span>how videos of people opening products took over YouTube feeds <\/b>all over the world.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Whether on YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok, an unboxing video shows people taking products, such as toys or gadgets, out of their original packaging and demonstrating how they work. From the latest iPhone model to fidget spinners, <\/span>there\u2019s an unboxing video of virtually every consumer product under the sun <\/b>– and the collective views are staggering, especially (and perhaps surprisingly) with content uploaded for kids. <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.qustodio.com\/public-site\/uploads\/2023\/05\/30142454\/Blog_WhatIsUnboxingInsideImage.png” alt=”why are unboxing videos so popular with kids” title_text=”Blog_WhatIsUnboxingInsideImage” align=”center” disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Unboxing videos of toys and presents are generally filmed and edited with kids in mind. <\/span>These videos are fun and full of surprise and anticipation<\/b>, usually revealing toys that the child watching wants to play with themselves, followed by the YouTuber playing and interacting with the new toy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Unboxing videos are almost like longer, more interactive commercials for kids<\/b>. Children are surrounded by the all-too-familiar \u201cbuy buy buy\u201d mentality, driving adults to spend their hard-earned cash, and lust after the latest gadget release or the year\u2019s hottest trend. Children, however, don\u2019t generally have that kind of cash to hand – so <\/span>unboxing videos may play a part in scratching the spending itch<\/b>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n With kids\u2019 channels making up 4 out of the <\/span>top 10 most-viewed across YouTube<\/span><\/a>, children are certainly spending a lot of time on the platform. In fact, YouTube is kids\u2019 most popular online video service, with children spending hours watching one video after another. <\/span>In 2022, the average child spent <\/b>67 minutes on the YouTube app every day<\/b><\/a>, while on YouTube Kids, watch time was even higher, at 79 minutes per day.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s plain to see that kids are spending significant amounts of time watching YouTube – but why on unboxing videos?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Think back to commercials when you were a kid. How many times did you run straight to mom, dad, or both, and beg for what you\u2019d just seen on the screen? In a world where kids are watching TV less and less, toy unboxing videos have stepped in to fill this role. They often feature characters that kids are familiar with, or <\/span>trending items that children really want to get their hands on<\/b>, but aren\u2019t able to in real life. Another part of the appeal is that <\/span>these videos allow children to be in on the fun<\/b>, opening a mysterious or desirable toy and playing with it \u201ctogether\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n On the surface, unboxing videos seem pretty harmless. After all, what could be bad about watching other kids or people having fun with toys?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The problem with unboxing videos does not generally lie within the content itself, though that isn\u2019t a hard and fast rule. As with most things online, <\/span>you can generally find inappropriate content the more you dig – even with videos aimed at kids, <\/b>and even on special \u201cchild-friendly\u201d <\/span>platforms like YouTube Kids.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n However, one of the reasons that unboxing videos are more of a problem for children than they might seem is largely because of their addictive nature.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Watching unboxing videos can give children a dopamine hit<\/b>, while also tapping into something called \u201c<\/span>mimetic desire<\/span><\/a>\u201d. Parents of younger children will likely already be familiar with this phenomenon: what everybody else\u2019s kid is playing with is light years more attractive than your kid\u2019s current plaything. Mimetic desire is about the toy or thing that someone else has, and whether it\u2019s seen as attractive to others, too. The more others want something, the more likely we are to desire it.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Part of the problem with YouTube is that it can be bottomless, sucking children and adults alike into a black hole of content. There\u2019s a lot of educational, interesting, and entertaining videos on YouTube, but to contrast, there\u2019s also some mindless, often silly, and even <\/span>inappropriate content out there<\/span><\/a> that kids can easily stumble upon.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nWhat is unboxing? <\/b><\/h2>\n
Why do kids like unboxing videos? <\/b><\/h2>\n
Why do unboxing videos have so many views? <\/b><\/h2>\n
Are unboxing videos safe for children to watch?<\/b><\/h2>\n
How to make YouTube viewing more intentional for your child<\/b><\/h2>\n