<![CDATA[Abstract. YouTube has become part of young children's everyday media environment, but its developmental implications cannot be reduced to viewing time alone. This study examined the association between a parent-reported composite index of YouTube use and parent-reported character development in empathy, discipline, responsibility, and tolerance. A cross-sectional survey involved 50 children aged 2–7 years in Pattimpa Village, South Sulawesi, selected through simple random sampling from village demographic and integrated Posyandu registries. Parents completed structured questionnaires, and the data were analyzed using simple linear regression. The composite YouTube-use index was positively associated with the character-development score (B = 0.552, SE = 0.242, 95% CI [0.065, 1.039], β = 0.313, t = 2.281, p = 0.027), with R² = 0.098. The association was modest, and the model explained 9.8% of the observed variance. Because frequency, duration, and content type were combined in one index, the result should not be interpreted as evidence that longer viewing improves character. The findings support a contextual approach that considers content selection and parental involvement alongside viewing time. Abstrak. YouTube telah menjadi bagian dari lingkungan media sehari-hari anak, tetapi implikasi perkembangannya tidak dapat dijelaskan hanya melalui durasi menonton. Penelitian ini menguji hubungan antara indeks komposit penggunaan YouTube yang dilaporkan orang tua dan perkembangan karakter anak yang juga dilaporkan orang tua, meliputi empati, disiplin, tanggung jawab, dan toleransi. Survei potong lintang dilakukan terhadap 50 anak usia 2–7 tahun di Desa Pattimpa, Sulawesi Selatan, yang dipilih melalui simple random sampling berdasarkan data demografi desa dan registrasi Posyandu terintegrasi. Orang tua mengisi kuesioner terstruktur dan data dianalisis menggunakan regresi linear sederhana. Indeks komposit penggunaan YouTube berhubungan positif dengan skor perkembangan karakter (B = 0,552; SE = 0,242; 95% CI [0,065, 1,039]; β = 0,313; t = 2,281; p = 0,027), dengan R² = 0,098. Hubungan tersebut tergolong terbatas dan model menjelaskan 9,8% variasi yang teramati. Karena frekuensi, durasi, dan jenis konten digabungkan dalam satu indeks, hasil ini tidak dapat ditafsirkan sebagai bukti bahwa durasi menonton yang lebih lama meningkatkan karakter anak. Temuan menekankan pentingnya mempertimbangkan konteks penggunaan, pilihan konten, dan keterlibatan orang tua selain waktu layar. ]]>
