New Parental Control Feature on Youtube Kids

Published in

kidsNclicks

5 min readSep 18, 2018

Parents are becoming increasingly aware about inappropriate content slipping through Youtube Kids. Hence, the new parental control feature will help solve that problem.

Youtube Kids is free app that has content that is appropriate for children. The app can be downloaded from play store or the apple store.

Youtube kids is divided into 5 sections :

Recommended : shows recommended by Youtube Kids
Show : current trending shows
Music
Learning : educational programs
Explore

A short video showing what Youtube Kids look like :

Parental Control Feature on Youtube Kids:

✅Parent Approved content

This feature enables you to choose every single video that your child is allowed to watch. Using this mode your child will not be allowed to search for any content on their own.

How to switch on this feature :

1) Go to settings.

2) Go to the child’s profile.

3) Choose “approved content only.” Start selecting the videos and channels for your child.

✅Exclude inappropriate content

The app is designed to exclude content that would not be appropriate for kids to watch. Youtube is also working hard to make sure that content on the app stays relevant for children. In case parents find any of the content not suitable for children they can flag those contents.

To do this :

Click on the 3 bullet dots of the video

Click on report

✅ Content relevant to the age of the child

When signing up Youtube Kids it will prompt you to select the age of your child. This is to give your child the best experience while using the app.

✅ Turning off search function

Youtube Kids gives you the option to switch on or off the search function. By switching on the search button your child can access millions more Youtube Kids videos. They have the ability to search for new content on their own.

Switching off the search function will limit them to videos on the home screen and those that are recommended by Youtube. Children cannot search for content on their own. This reduces the chance of children coming across content that you do not want them to watch.

To do this :

Click on the lock button at the home screen
Enter the passcode asked by the app
Then click on settings
And switch off the search button

✅Setting timer on

The time button will set a limit to how long you can have the app running. If you want your child to be using the app only for half an hour, you can easily set the timer on. This can prevent screen addiction and limit the amount your child spends online.

Talk to your partner or any other family members that is involved in taking of your child about the importance of limiting screen time. This is to ensure everyone at home is on the same page with regards to this issue.

To do this :

Click on the lock button at the home screen
Enter the passcode asked by the app
Then click on Timmer
Set the time limit

✅. Stand alone app

The app is not connected to the general Youtube app. This means that you can download this app on your child’s Ipad and never having to worry that they might have drifted to the general Youtube app.

✅ Educational videos

The app is not only used for entertainment purpose. There are many educational videos available. The “Learning” section has videos from PBS Kids, TED-Ed, and Khan Academy. Talk about when kids might view these videos

Other Things to know about Youtube for Kids:

❌While there are many reasons why this is better than the general Youtube app, it has some drawbacks such as advertisement.

❌There are also instances where inappropriate content slipping through its way. I would recommend switching off the search button if you are handing the device over to a toddler.

I also think it is important to sit down and watch the videos with your toddler in case unexpected videos pops up. Don’t forget to limit their screen time when watching things on Youtube.

Have you tried the app? Let me know your thoughts? What you like and dislike from it.

Here are other tips to you keep children safe in the digital age :

3 simple ways to keep children safe online

Stop Google from tracking you and your kids every movement

6 ways to prevent smartphone addiction in children

Finally dont forget :