YouTube Kids is the child-friendly little sister of YouTube. The platform offers a large collection of age-appropriate videos for children. It was developed especially for families.
YouTube Kids is a special offer for children. The video platform uses a special algorithm to filter out child-friendly content and plays it into the app or website. YouTube Kids can be used anonymously and without registration. At the start of use, parents can choose between three age groups: Preschool age (up to four years), Younger (from 5-8 years) and Older (from 9-12 years).
The content is divided into four categories: Series, Music, Learn, Discover and Recommended. You’ll find more exciting content around topics like music, gaming, science, or crafts. The little ones’ favorite heroes are also available on YouTube Kids: Little Dragon Coconut, Bibi and Tina, the Sandman, etc.
YouTube Kids is designed so that children can use the platform easily. With large illustrations and a voice search function, the app is also aimed at children who are not yet able to read. It is not possible to upload your own videos like on the “real” YouTube.
Only those who log in to the app with a Google account can create a separate profile for each child, set it up individually and exercise more control.
There are two options:
With both options, videos and channels can be blocked so that they are not displayed.
Children – like adults – like entertainment. They can access their favorite characters and stories in the app virtually at any time. In this way, YouTube gives kids a certain degree of independence – if their parents allow it. For example, content can be searched for and viewed independently.
Also, it is possible to share videos and channels from the parents’ YouTube account to their child’s. These are videos that are not normally found on YouTube Kids.
The offer is based on an algorithm. This means that content is not selected by humans and is not checked for quality. Errors can occur during this technical selection process. In rare cases, children may come across disturbing content, as videos are sometimes incorrectly classified as suitable for children.
The algorithm plays videos with a large reach and a high number of views first. For example, in addition to well-known and popular cartoon characters, children’s influencers and family YouTube channels are particularly popular. These often also receive product placements and the like.
The free service contains advertising that is adapted to the target group. However, the advertising is less frequent than on YouTube and does not interrupt the videos. Only with a subscription to YouTube Premium, the YouTube Kids channel can also be viewed without advertising. However, it is positive that no other websites can be opened from the offer.
There may be errors in the selection of videos. No system is perfect. Therefore, the algorithm is constantly improved and manual checks take place. Parents are explicitly asked to report videos if they appear problematic.
The provider Google explicitly points out that YouTube Kids does not replace parental control and guidance of their children. Parents can track which videos their child has watched via the playback history. YouTube Kids provides further tips for parents on parental control settings on its website.
Since features like uploading, sharing or rating videos are not available, YouTube Kids is safer than its big sister YouTube. Nevertheless, unsuitable content may be uploaded due to the algorithm. Therefore, watch the videos together with your child or at least stay close to them. This will help you to recognize which content is suitable for your child and which is not.
Parents can create a password for the settings and use it, for example, to switch off the autoplay function, delete the search history or activate the timer to limit the time your child spends in front of the screen.
Try the app without your child first and then decide if it’s right for you and your family! There are detailed instructions on how to set up YouTube Kids at Medien kindersicher.
