Most kids, my own kids included, spend time consuming YouTube. It's just how kids are today. They are tech savvy and YouTube is their version of regular TV. So, it's just about time that YouTube is finally releasing a kid-friendly version of their popular mobile app.
The kid friendly version will have original content of popular shows like "Sesame Street" as well as content from existing kid-friendly YouTube channels. This is great news for parents like myself who are always worried that their kids might stumble upon content on YouTube that is not kid-friendly.
The app will also have some security features, including a timer to limit the amount of time kids spend on the app. *great idea*
The app will be released on February 23 and will initially be available for Android devices only. However, you can expect that a version for iOS will follow soon, especially if YouTube/Google will look to monetize this product by having kid-targeted advertising on it. No final word yet if advertising will be allowed though.
What do you think about this development? Do you think that it's too
much to start targeting kids or that it is better to have this app since kids
will consume online content anyway? Might as well let them consume the content in a regulated and safe environment right?
For now, I've got the date in my calendar and will look to switch the current YouTube app on my phone with the kid friendly version come February 23.
Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section.
Link here to the original article from The Wall Street Journal