We've been using the YouTube Kids app in our household and, amid the excitement, compiled a practical pros-and-cons guide based on real-world experience.
As a parent, preparing your child for both the physical and digital worlds brings unique challenges. Kids dive into online content faster than ever. Enter YouTube Kids—a dedicated app designed to make internet exploration safer and more controlled.
This review covers Google's latest offering, newly launched in the Netherlands. It's still evolving, but we've tested it thoroughly. Curious? Read on for the key pros and cons.
Table of contents
YouTube Kids empowers parents with robust controls over your child's online viewing. It curates age-appropriate videos, playlists, and games—all family-friendly across four categories: music, learning, discovery, and shows. Parents approve or block specific videos or channels, toggle the search function, set a screen-time timer, and review watch history. Up to eight individual profiles allow customization per child, making it ideal for families.
YouTube clearly aimed to prioritize safety without sacrificing fun!
For busy parents, preset profiles simplify setup:
Google recommends it for kids up to age 13. However, user feedback—including ours—notes the content skews younger and more childish. Teens into Fortnite or similar may find it lacking, as parents can't manually add videos to approved lists.
Younger kids' parents rave about it. Suitability hinges on age and interests, but it's free—try it risk-free!
The free version includes ads (fewer than standard YouTube). To eliminate them and unlock more, upgrade to YouTube Premium (from €11.99/month). Note: Favorited creators might still be restricted, potentially sparking debates.
Overall, YouTube Kids earns praise for safety features but may not suit older kids. If limiting screen time is your goal, consider alternatives before downloading.
Download YouTube Kids from Google Play Store
