youtubekids
Latest
The best streaming apps for kids
On the surface, it seems like a great idea. YouTube is home to all kinds of quality video content, so a dedicated, age-appropriate version for children sounds great. However, even with a host of parental controls, YouTube Kids is still plagued with issues in regard to content. Whether it's conspiracy videos or obviously disturbing clips, YouTube Kids is flooded with terrible content. But that's not surprising. With 10 hours of video uploaded every second, trying to police YouTube content is like trying to slow the water coming out of a fire hydrant. A spokesperson said last year, "We've taken a series of tough actions to better protect families on YouTube and YouTube Kids, including getting content down faster through technology, hiring more people to help us tackle content that breaks our rules and cutting the revenue streams to content that misleads families." But those actions haven't always been enough. In response to criticism, YouTube has tried to deter users from posting offensive videos. In 2017, it altered its policy on what types of content would be eligible for ad money. Those changes kept clips that show "family entertainment characters engaged in violent, sexual, vile or otherwise inappropriate behavior, even if done for comedic or satirical purposes" from earning money. YouTube also improved its parental controls. Last April, the company added the option of only seeing content that had been approved by "partners and the YouTube Kids team." Then in September, it expanded that feature so that kids using the app would only see what their parents approved. When asked about any improvements since September, YouTube explained that it has added a number of new features, including stronger controls for parents. Things like timers, profiles, an option to disable search and the ability to approve both videos and channels are all on that list. And the company also reiterated that is offers collections that have been curated by trusted partners and YouTube Kids, which include channels like Sesame Street and PBS. Even though these changes have made a difference, YouTube Kids is still YouTube. And like the main version of the site, the quality of content ranges from acceptable to stuff that's just... weird. I don't know about you, but I'd rather my four-year- old play with his own toys than watch YouTube videos of kids playing with theirs. That's not offensive per se, but it's a little strange to me. Thankfully there are alternatives to YouTube Kids -- ones that are less likely to serve your little one up some nightmare fuel.
YouTube Kids lets parents choose what their children watch
YouTube has added two new features to its Kids app, both of which give parents more control over what their children are watching. First, parents now have the option to limit what their kids watch to just what they approve. After parents select "approved content only" in their child's profile, that child won't be able to search for content on their own. Instead they'll have access to the videos, channels or collection of channels their parents have specifically added to their approved list. YouTube announced this feature back in April and it's available now on Android globally. The company says iOS users will have access to it soon.
YouTube adds more rigorous parental controls to its Kids app
Google and YouTube have been struggling with how to let kids watch videos without also exposing them to inappropriate content. Even the YouTube Kids app has suggested not-for-kids conspiracy theory videos. In response, the video platform started looking at handpicking content for its app earlier this month. Now the company is making changes to YouTube Kids to help keep the little ones a little safer, including curated collections, parent-approved content and an improved ability to turn off search in the app.
Parent groups say YouTube defies underage data-collection laws
The Federal Trade Commission has been asked to, once again, investigate Google's practices around its YouTube Kids platform. A group of child-safety organizations accuse the search giant of violating child protection laws by collecting data, and using that data to advertise, to kids under 13.
YouTube may handpick videos for its Kids app
Over the past months, it became increasingly clear that YouTube isn't the friendliest place for kids even with filters on. It doesn't just have a problem with vile videos pretending to be family-friendly content, but also with conspiracy theories popping up as suggestions in its Kids app. According to BuzzFeed, the platform plans to take a more hands-on approach going forward by releasing a new version of the Kids app that only shows videos and channels handpicked by a team of YouTube curators.
YouTube is still plagued with disturbing kids' videos
There's a section of supposedly kid-friendly YouTube that's rife with odd and often disturbing videos. But though YouTube began actively addressing the issue last year, there still appears to be a problem. Just a few days ago, Business Insider reported that the YouTube Kids app was suggesting conspiracy theory videos and now Wired reports that there's still quite a bit of strange, deeply troubling content out there geared towards children.
YouTube's Kids app suggested conspiracy theory videos
As much work as YouTube may have done to scrub vile videos from its Kids app, there's still some work to go. Business Insider has discovered that the Kids app was suggesting conspiracy theory videos when you searched for certain keywords. If you looked for "UFO," for instance, you'd find videos from David Icke parroting numerous discredited conspiracy theories, including the notion that the planet is run by reptile-human hybrids.
Logan Paul forced YouTube to admit humans are better than algorithms
YouTube is no stranger to controversy. Many of its top stars have been in hot water recently: From PewDiePie making racists remarks, to a "family" channel with abusive kid pranks, the company's been under fire for not keeping a closer eye on the type of content that makes it onto the site. Most recently, Logan Paul, a popular YouTuber with more than 15 million subscribers, faced backlash after posting a video that showed a corpse he came across in Japan's so-called "Suicide Forest." That clip, which was eventually taken down by Paul himself, forced YouTube to cut almost all ties with him and to figure out ways to prevent another situation like this.
YouTube to target disturbing videos masquerading as kids' shows
YouTube is clamping down on the disturbing videos aimed at children on its service. The burgeoning genre depicts family-friendly characters (like Spider-Man and Frozen's Elsa) in violent and sexual scenarios. We reported on the clips (and inappropriate ads) earlier this year, and recent coverage in the The New York Times claimed the vids are evading filters on the YouTube Kids app. In August, YouTube enforced a policy that restricted creators from monetizing videos that make "inappropriate use of family friendly characters." The video platform's latest step will automatically block this content from its kids app, as initially reported by The Verge.
Each of your kids can have their own YouTube Kids accounts
YouTube has been steadily improving its Kids app for youngsters lately, and now Mountain View is giving it a bit of a revamp. Parents will be able to create profiles for each of their kids now, and even better, they'll be accessible regardless of the device you're using. More than that, when you're doing account setup your little one's landing page will adjust based on their age. A blog post says that the younger the kid, the profile will have less text, for example.
YouTube Kids brings cartoons and bright colors to your smart TV
YouTube Kids' mobile app is fine if your young ones are content to watch videos on a tablet, but what if you just want to plunk them down on the couch to watch on the big screen? You can after today. YouTube is trotting out a version of the Kids app for many LG, Samsung and Sony smart TVs (more details below) in all 26 countries where the child-ready viewer is available. The interface isn't exactly a radical departure, but that's the point, isn't it? Ideally, this lets little tykes watch videos with minimal help from their parents.
YouTube creates four original shows just for its Kids app
Now that YouTube has dipped its toes into the wild world of original programming, the company has plans to launch four new shows this spring aimed at children and pre-teens. The YouTube Kids app will get two live-action and two animated series starring some popular YouTube creators including DanTDM and the hosts of TheAtlanticCraft, with more series scheduled to debut throughout the year.
FTC complaint blasts Disney, Google over child influencer videos
It's sketchy enough when companies send free products to YouTube stars in return for positive coverage, but it's worse when those videos are explicitly aimed at kids. How is a young child supposed to tell the difference between genuine enthusiasm and someone compelled to say good things in return for gifts? That's what a handful of consumer watchdog groups plan to solve. Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, Center for Digital Democracy and Public Citizen have filed a complaint asking the FTC to stop the practice of aiming influencer videos at kids. Companies like Disney and DreamWorks (via Maker Studios and AwesomenessTV) are allegedly being "unfair and deceptive" by targeting these pseudo-ads at the preteen crowd. Google, meanwhile, purportedly "encourages and benefits" from distributing these videos on YouTube and YouTube Kids.
YouTube's subscription service keeps your kids' videos ad-free
It's nice that a YouTube Red subscription gives you ad-free and offline viewing, but wouldn't those features be more useful for keeping your kids entertained on your next vacation? YouTube agrees. You can now sign in to Red through the YouTube Kids app, giving junior viewers all the benefits without making them visit grown-up apps or sites. They won't see promos while watching their favorite show, and they can keep playing when they're stuck in the back of the car for a few hours. If they're music fans, they can switch apps while their tunes play in the background. You probably won't subscribe just for the Kids support, but it's a strong incentive for families.
YouTube Kids entertains children outside of the US
Some seven months after launching, YouTube Kids is expanding outside of America. Folks living in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom can access the family friendly section of Google's video wing. What's more, Mountain View says that the apps' been downloaded over 10 million times to date and that apparently more time has been spent watching "Wheels on the Bus" than "Gagnam Style." Mind you, the "Wheels on the Bus" video is almost an hour long versus just over four minutes for PSY's smash hit. Oh, and Google says to keep an eye out for upcoming holiday specials on the app over the next few weeks. [Image credit: Associated Press]
YouTube Kids streams content on Chromecast, Apple TV and more
YouTube's kid-friendly app arrived earlier this year, delivering a library of age-appropriate content for younger viewers. Now, the streaming software is moving beyond mobile devices. YouTube Kids is now available on your television, streaming to Chromecast, Apple TV, game consoles and smart TVs. There's also new curated playlists from the likes of National Geographic Kids and tools for parents that help you learn the app and tweak the password. Perhaps most importantly, you won't have to give up your phone or tablet when junior wants to catch up on the latest episodes.
DirecTV launches a kid-friendly video app
DirecTV saw what YouTube and Netflix were doing with their kid-focused apps, and decided that it, too, wanted a piece of that action. After many months of toil, the company has busted out DirecTV Kids, an iOS app that lets your rugrats consume content from your cable package at no extra cost. Designed for 5-10 year-olds, the offering lets your kids watch shows anywhere, and can be used on up to five devices at once. It's available for free from the App Store, and is likely to be a bit safer than YouTube's rival, at least as far as parental groups are concerned.
Parents groups take concerns about YouTube Kids to the FTC
There are plenty of rules about what you can and can't do on kids' tv, but not a lot of those rules automatically carry over to the internet. That's why a posse of advocacy groups is asking the FTC to investigate if YouTube's kids-only service is breaking laws on unfair and deceptive marketing. According to a report by the San Jose Mercury, these groups believe that YouTube Kids also contravenes FCC rules about advertising to young children that have been in place since the '70s.
YouTube Kids delivers a library of age-appropriate streaming
Last week we heard about YouTube's new app for little tykes, and now, it's ready to go to work. YouTube Kids is available on iOS and Android, delivering access to shows and music (Thomas the Tank Engine) with options for learning or exploring (Reading Rainbow), too. As you might expect, there are parental controls to keep tabs on content, sound levels and screen time, and items that don't need to be futzed with by children (comments, etc.) are absent. What's there, though, is a tiny finger-friendly interface of large images for easy navigation. If you're willing to hand your iPad or Nexus 9 over to junior, head over to the appropriate app repository to download.
