YouTube can be a pretty incredibly tool for parents. Access to a wide range of children’s programs as well as educational content can help really open up a kids world and provide them with not only entertainment but also education. The only issues is that not everything on YouTube is something you want your kids to watch.
I’ve been there as a parent watched in horror as an “episode” of Peppa Pig started playing only to discover that some clever clogs had edited clips to make their own episode of Peppa Pig dying. Cue much wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Well luckily there is now YouTube Kids.
YouTube Kids
http://youtu.be/OUmMAAPX6E8
[via YouTube]
YouTube Kids is an app for iOS and Android which present a new simplified and kid friendlier (think bigger touch targets and more voice interactions) interface and kid appropriate content.
The interface focuses on four sections (Shows, music, learning, and explore) and has large video images below the options to show images of popular options. Some of the real power of the app includes the ability to set time limits, cut music and sound effects and to disable search so your child can only watch what you choose.
This is a great step forward that many parents are going to love and it’s good to see a company catering to parents as well. The ability to set time and content limits on how the child can use the app will help enable parents to hand more control to their kids yet still have the peace of mind that their child won’t use it for a far too extended length of time.
For Android and iOS.
[via YouTube]
Eric Dye says
Nifty. I’ll have to check it out! Thanks, Chris. 😀
Chris says
Is this set up like normal Youtube where anyone can upload? What is to stop people from still uploading non kid friendly material?
Jeremy Smith says
I’m not 100% sure, but I think they only include channels and so if a channel tried to do something, they would be completely removed. So only trusted channels get access.
[email protected] says
You can’t upload via the kids youtube app, it’s just a viewing front. Jeremy is correct about the selected channels. Of course they could get hacked or something similar but its not a high likelyhood event.
Jeremy Smith says
For iOS, this is great. For my son’s Kindle for Kids, Amazon already has baked in time limits for the whole device, not just the app.
Eric Dye says
Yeah, I’ve found the Kindle HD to be an AMAZING device for my kids. And considering how many times it’s been dropped on tiled floors, I recommend it for kids—hands down. 😀
[email protected] says
That’s good to know. I know Amazon have really pushed forward the family aspect of their devices. Honestly, I’ve never checked them out though :S Isn’t there one which you get a two year no questions asked warrenty or something?
Android Lolipop has a “screen pinning” feature which allows you to stay on a single app but I don’t think there are time limits…yet.
Robert says
I can guarantee that Google will use this app to promote certain lifestyles to kids. What better way to do it than getting the parents to buy in on an app that is “kid friendly” and then feed the kids with little things hear and there.
Phil Schneider says
Robert, that’s a good point, but the same thing could be said for everything: the Internet in general, television, books, etc. If you’re concerned about the wold view being presented in media, then either don’t consume media—and some media certainly shouldn’t be consumed!—or be cautious about what you consume and make sure that it’s offset with “media” that promotes the world view/lifestyle that you want to promote in your home.