New YouTube Kids app goes live in US; allows parental control for safer browsing by children

New Delhi: YouTube has officially rolled out its YouTube Kids app in the US that makes web browsing easier and safer for the little ones.

The first ever Google product for the young has a simpler design with larger images and bold icons that makes it easier for even 4-year-olds to swipe and watch content of their choice. Even if the child can't spell or type, the app's voice recognition helps in finding videos of things they are curious about.

YouTube's official blog states that the YouTube Kids app has content that is narrowed down into broad categories suiting the child's interests- Shows, Music, Learning, and Explore. Users can also search for specific content like math tutorials, science models, etc.

Your 4-year-old may already be a swiping expert, but the app's design makes it even easier to find Pocoyo or the latest episode of Sesame Street's The Furchester Hotel. With larger images, bold icons and more, it's fast and simple for little thumbs to navigate. And we've built in voice search so that even if your child can't spell or type, they can still find videos of things they're curious about.

Apart from the good old favourites from DreamWorksTV, Jim Henson TV, Mother Goose Club, Talking Tom and Friends and more, kids can also discover new facts from National Geographic Kids or learn about technology from Reading Rainbow. The app will feature more of such content soon.

Added features for parents include- Timer- that controls the child's screen time. The app alerts the child when the session is over so parents don't have to constantly monitor the time. Parents can also keep the sound and search settings in check with the new features. Parents can turn off the search option if they want the child to just watch the pre-selected videos available on the home screen.

YouTube has also included a feedback space for the parents so that they can review the app and bring in their suggestions too.

The app is available for free on Google Play and the App Store. It is currently rolled out in the US and will soon be available on Kurio and nabi kids' tablets.

####