TL;DR
If your child is asking to watch DanTDM, the short answer is: Yes. In the wild, often-unregulated world of YouTube gaming, DanTDM (Daniel Middleton) is widely considered the "Gold Standard." He’s clean, energetic without being grating, and has managed to stay relevant for over a decade without resorting to the "brain rot" tactics of newer creators.
Quick Links for the DanTDM Fan:
- The Game that Started it All: Minecraft
- The Current Obsession: Roblox
- For the Younger Sibs: Bluey (because everyone needs a break from gaming)
- A "Safe" Alternative: Stampy Cat
If you’ve heard a polite British voice emanating from your kid’s iPad talking about "diamonds" or "custom mod adventures," you’re likely listening to Daniel Middleton, aka DanTDM (formerly The Diamond Minecart).
Dan started his channel in 2012, primarily focusing on Minecraft. Since then, he has amassed over 28 million subscribers and billions of views. While many of his peers from the "Golden Age" of YouTube gaming have either disappeared, moved into adult-oriented content, or become embroiled in scandals, Dan has stayed remarkably consistent.
He plays everything from Roblox and Fortnite to indie titles like Untitled Goose Game and Stardew Valley. He also does occasional vlogs, showing off his life as a dad and his pugs.
It’s easy to dismiss YouTube gaming as "just watching someone else play," but for kids, DanTDM is part storyteller, part older brother, and part comedian.
- The Lore: In his early days, Dan created an entire universe within Minecraft featuring characters like Dr. Trayaurus (a silent scientist villager) and Grim (a skeleton dog). This wasn’t just gameplay; it was a digital sitcom.
- The Energy: He’s high-energy but not "screaming-into-the-mic-for-no-reason" high-energy. He’s genuinely enthusiastic, which is infectious for a 7-year-old.
- Relatability: He doesn’t act like an untouchable celebrity. He fails at games, laughs at his own mistakes, and feels like a "real" person in a sea of overly polished influencers.
Ask our chatbot about why kids are so obsessed with gaming YouTubers
In our community data, DanTDM consistently ranks as the #1 "approved" YouTuber by parents. Here’s why he’s earned that trust:
No-BS Content
Unlike many modern creators who use "Skibidi Toilet" references every five seconds or fill their videos with "Ohio" memes to stay in the algorithm's good graces, Dan relies on actual content. He doesn't swear, he doesn't use suggestive humor, and he doesn't clickbait his audience with fake drama.
The "Lunchly" Moment
To understand why Dan is the "Gold Standard," you have to look at how he interacts with the industry. Recently, when massive creators like MrBeast, Logan Paul, and KSI launched "Lunchly" (a direct competitor to Lunchables), Dan was one of the few big voices to publicly criticize it.
He called out the trend of influencers selling low-quality, processed "crap" to their young, impressionable fans just to make a buck. It was a refreshing moment of integrity that proved he actually cares about the well-being of the kids watching him.
While DanTDM is generally safe, "safe" doesn't mean "unsupervised." Here’s how to frame it by age:
- Ages 5-7: This is the "obsessive" phase. They might want to watch the same Minecraft video ten times. At this age, the main concern isn't the content, but the quantity. It's easy for them to fall down a rabbit hole of "Up Next" videos that might lead away from Dan and toward weirder, less vetted content.
- Ages 8-10: This is the sweet spot. They’ll get his jokes and might even want to try the games he’s playing. This is a great time to introduce Scratch to see if they want to build games instead of just watching them.
- Ages 11-13: They might start finding Dan "too kiddy" and move toward more "edgy" streamers. This is when you should keep an eye out for shifts toward creators like IShowSpeed or Kai Cenat, who have a very different (and much more adult) vibe.
Even with a "safe" creator, YouTube is still YouTube.
1. The Comments Section
Dan's videos have millions of comments. While his team moderates them, it’s impossible to catch everything. Bots, spam, and occasionally mean-spirited people live there. If your child is on the younger side, consider using YouTube Kids or a browser extension that hides comments.
2. The Algorithm
The biggest risk of watching DanTDM isn't Dan himself; it's the video that plays after his. YouTube’s algorithm is designed to keep eyes on the screen, and it can sometimes pivot from a wholesome Minecraft video to something "brain rot" adjacent (think loud, bright, nonsensical animations) in just a few clicks.
3. Parasocial Relationships
Kids feel like Dan is their friend. When he’s sick, they worry. When he has a baby, they’re excited. It’s important to occasionally remind them that while Dan is a "good guy," he is still a professional creator making content for an audience of millions.
Dan plays a lot of Roblox. If your kid is watching these videos, they’re going to want Robux.
There’s a common narrative that Roblox is great because it teaches kids how to code or "run a business." While that can be true if they are using Roblox Studio, most kids are just consumers. Watching Dan play a "Tycoon" game can give kids the itch to spend real money to "level up" just like he does.
If you're worried about the "bank account draining" aspect of gaming, Dan's videos are actually a good conversation starter. You can ask: "Why do you think he bought that upgrade? Do you think he'd still have fun if he didn't spend the money?"
Instead of just telling them to "turn off that noise," try engaging with the content for five minutes. It goes a long way.
- Ask: "What's the goal of this Minecraft world he's building right now?"
- Ask: "Why do you think he's so popular? What makes him funnier than other YouTubers?"
- Discuss: "I saw Dan talking about how he doesn't like selling unhealthy snacks to kids. What do you think about that?"
DanTDM is one of the few "vetted" corners of the internet. If your child is going to be on YouTube, you could do a whole lot worse. He’s respectful, creative, and genuinely seems to enjoy being a positive influence.
However, remember that YouTube is a tool, not a babysitter. Use Dan as a bridge to other creative outlets. If they love his Minecraft builds, maybe it’s time to look into LEGO or Toca Life World.
- Watch a video together: Pick one of his most popular Minecraft Custom Mod Adventures and see what the hype is about.
- Set boundaries: Use the "Three Video Rule" or a specific timer to prevent the "algorithm spiral."
- Explore alternatives: If they like Dan, they might also enjoy Mark Rober for science or Art for Kids Hub for something more hands-on.
Ask our chatbot for a personalized list of YouTubers based on your kid's interests