YouTube for kids is the first app from Google solely geared at kids. There are apps for Android and iOS but the apps are only available through the US App Stores. Google uses “a mix of automated analysis and user input” (Official YouTube Blog) to determine which videos to include in the app. Videos on the homepage undo additional analysis to determine that they have no restricted content. The app lets parents add controls about:
- usage time
- sound (e.g. turn off sound effects and background sounds)
- search settings
The app counts on parent involvement for refining the curation of videos. If you find a video inappropriate for children, flag it for Google’s review. It’s important to remember however, that Google controls the content that kids have access to in the app; parents cannot customize those options in the app. I think that YouTube Kids meets a need. I see children browsing YouTube on devices while waiting in various places with their parents such as school cafeteria, airports, restaurants, etc. If you’re going to let a child use a device to browse YouTube, it’s worth exploring YouTube Kids.
Will you be installing YouTube Kids for your children to use?
Here’s a great guide for aimed at parents – http://www.androidcentral.com/heres-what-parents-need-know-about-youtube-kids#