Dad calls out Spotify for airing ‘shocking’ ads during kid's playlist

The ads, aired during Frozen, Bluey and The Wiggles have prompted a wider investigation. 

Many of us swear by it to keep little ones busy when we need some quiet time or entertained during a road trip. I'm talking about throwing on a playlist or podcast on Spotify and letting the kids listen away while you can move on to the tasks needed to complete. 

There's no harm in audio programs, right?

Well, one Aussie father recently discovered that parents should be just as concerned about the content consumed on audio platforms as much as the video offerings. 

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The dad called out Spotify for the content aired during kids shows. Image: iStock

'Inappropriate' ads played during Bluey and Frozen 

The dad, who remains anonymous, called out music streaming platform, Spotify, for allegedly streaming 'inappropriate' ads during songs from the popular Disney movie, ABC animated series, and even The Wiggles. 

“I love Spotify and completely understand your need to generate income,” the father’s complaint reads.

“However, playing Sportsbet’s ads before and after Disney songs is inappropriate and potentially damaging to my children.

“My kids love Disney and frequently listen to Moana, Frozen and other songs [including] the Wiggles and Bluey songs probably not associated nor the first choice for punters.”

RELATED: Roblox is banning users under 13 from messaging online

The complaint prompted Australian gambling agency, Sportsbet, to pause advertising on the platform. 

While the gambling ads were played while using the father's account, content of that nature is potentially damaging to children who are using their parent or carer's account to stream age-appropriate playlists.

The find was just as concerning for Sportsbet as it was for the father, with a spokesperson insisting they were 'disappointed' to hear about the complaint. 

“Sportsbet’s advertising on Spotify and all social media channels uses age gating measures, and excludes kids and family content as an additional control,” a spokesperson for the gambling site said in a statement.  

They added that advertising would be passed until they rectified the issue. 

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RELATED: Parents plead for stricter social media access

Crackdown on age-appropriate content online for kids

The Spotify complaint comes after a massive crackdown on content children are exposed to online. 

Just last week, the ban on social media for children under 16 was passed in parliament, forcing big tech companies to re-think their ways of ensuring children are playing safe online. 

Roblox, a popular game for tweens and teens, was the first to shift things around with the chat feature banned for those under 13 years of age. 

The father says the ads with innappropriate for little ears. Image: iStock

Matt Kaufman, Chief Safety Officer, announced that Roblox would be making some significant changes to make their platform to make it safer for some of its youngest users.

Though he said that connecting with others is core to the Roblox experience, Kaufman also acknowledged that safety is of the utmost importance.

As a result of this, users under the age of 13 will no longer be able to message others on Roblox outside of games or experiences. There will also be a built-in setting introduced limiting users under 13 to public broadcast messages only within a game or experience.

By default, users under 13 will not be able to directly message others - however parents can change this setting in Parental Controls.

Roblox also introduced remote management, allowing parents to review and monitor their child’s activity even when they aren’t physically together, once theirs and their child’s Roblox accounts are linked.

Originally published as Dad calls out Spotify for airing ‘shocking’ ads during kid's playlist