While Netflix has been offering a Just for Kids mode for 2+ years via its app on various platforms, YouTube has not had an exclusive mode or app devoted for children, just a Safety mode that hides videos with inappropriate content rated by users that is still not 100% accurate. However, things are about to change starting this coming Monday.
The Net’s #1 video-sharing website will be releasing the YouTube Kids app first on Android devices with the goal of offering parents an easy and safe way for children to watch videos, says an article on USA Today.
“Parents were constantly asking us, can you make YouTube a better place for our kids. (Year over year) we’ve seen 50% growth in viewing time on YouTube, but for our family entertainment channels, it’s more like 200%,” said Shimrit Ben-Yair, group product manager at YouTube Kids.
The new app is the work of engineers at YouTube in cooperation with testers from organizations. YouTube Kids will feature an easy-to-use interface, a timer controlled by parents, and the option to turn off search or sound. Children won’t be able to view comments or look for search for words like “sex.”
In the home screen, users will see eight large tiles with images from shows appropriate for kids, such as Thomas the Tank Engine and Pocoyo. On top of the app, there will be five icons for different categories such as TV shows, videos of popular songs (radio icon), education channels (light bulb icon), and others.
[Source]: USA Today: YouTube unveils new app for kids.
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