YouTube Kids

YouTube Kids is the special version of the YouTube app, meant to provide the kids with the best content, with the most interesting channels advertised, and inappropriate ones banned. Download YouTube Kids to provide your children with the best videos at no risk!

Design 5/5

It mostly follows the core YouTube app, with differences defined by the necessary limitations in content and convenience required by the younger users. It’s designed in a playful animated manner, with large icons and bright colors. The app only works in landscape mode, so it’s better to use it on tablets, but not the largest ones, as anything looks bigger through the eye of a child.

Usability 5/5

First, the app needs a parent to register. Then they can curate the content for the kids. If there is more than one in your family, you can create personal profiles for each of them. Within each kid’s profile, you can either control videos they watch or provide more freedom to select the content, relying on Google’s policy.

To personalize a kid’s profile, just enter the name, the year and optionally the month of birth. Then YouTube Kids will offer some videos, according to the age you enter. For each age category there is a description to help you understand whether it matches the actual interests of the child.

Logged in as a parent, you can report videos as inappropriate, see the history of what children have been watching, or set daily limits of time spent with the app. To prove you are the parent, you may use your own password or solve a little problem (not working with gifted kids!)

As a child, the viewer can access cartoons, music videos, learning programs, and other recommended content. All the uncategorized content goes as “Explore”. There is a search button, and if a kid can’t use it, there is a voice search engine.

Features 5/5

The channels recommended by Google are the easiest to select for viewing. The app also supports casting videos to TVs, adjusting subtitles, unblocking certain videos manually if necessary. The recommendations are generated according to your country and languages you set as default in Google services; you can edit that, of course.

In-app purchases 5/5

The service is absolutely free. There isn’t a single paid option in this app, showing Google’s concern. Let the adults pay for their advanced demands; kids should get the best, no matter whether the parents can afford that.

The Bottom Line

YouTube Kids is probably the best option for the youngsters, with enough freedom for both kids and parents. Free to use and curated by professionals, it shows the best content appropriate for children. If there is even one kid in your family, and you aren’t afraid of gadgets in the young hands, that’s a must.

• Graphics 5
• Gameplay 5
• Controls 5
• Replay Value 5

Pros

Easy interface;
Curated content;
Flexible parental control;
Voice search for those unable to type yet;
Time limits.

Cons

Landscape mode only;
Inappropriate videos still may squeeze in.