The YouTube Child Exploitation Controversy refers to a series of viral exposés and public outcries regarding the platform's failure to protect minors. A major turning point occurred in 2019 when creator Matt Watson demonstrated how the recommendation algorithm could inadvertently surface inappropriate content through the comments section. This led to a massive advertiser boycott, often referred to as a secondary 'Adpocalypse.' Memes surrounding this topic typically serve as a form of digital activism, critiquing YouTube's perceived tendency to prioritize watch-time and ad revenue over the safety of its youngest users and the ethical oversight of its automated systems.