3 Things You Should Know About the YouTube Kids App

I absolutely love the YouTube kids app, but I’ve been hearing more and more horror stories about it lately. Please pay attention to what your child is watching anytime, anywhere, on any device, but especially the YouTube kids app. You may have not really been very attentive about what your child has been watching on the app because it’s for kids, but there are some not so friendly videos your child can still come across.

 Inappropriate Content on YouTube Kids

A title of a video may say “Peppa Pig” or “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse”, but your child may not really be watching that.  It could have something violent, sexual, or even subliminal messages in the video content.  These channels are usually disguised as “toy channels” or “family friendly” so the videos show up in the recommended content.  Always pay attention to the video your child is watching.  It may even appear that they are watching an appropriate kid’s video, but the video could soon switch up to something crazy.  A lot of pre-school and younger kids love the ever so popular “Family Finger” song and there are even disturbing videos out there using that song.

Read all about the types of disturbing videos disguised as videos for children HERE.  Most of these videos are easier to come across on the YouTube app, but the YouTube Kids app does NOT filter out all of these videos so always be aware.

Use Parental Controls

Parental controls are available on the YouTube Kids app and every parent should use them.  You can block and report videos as well as restrict your child from searching for videos.

How Do I Block Videos on the YouTube Kids App?

In order to block videos on the YT Kids app, you need to sign into your own YouTube account on the app.  If you click the lock at the bottom of the app you will access the “Grown-ups Only” section.  You are able to create your own passcode if your child knows how to read so that she can’t access this section.  Once you receive the parental consent email and are signed in you can block videos.  If you’re on the homescreen you simply tap the 3 dots on a video and it allows you to block that video or the channel.  You can also do the same thing when watching a video to block it.  Blocking a video or channel means that your child will no longer see that content in the app.

How Do I Report Videos on the YouTube Kids App?

You should report any inappropriate videos you see in the YT Kids app.  The app is meant to be family friendly so let’s help it be the way it’s supposed to be.  Also when playing a video tap the 3 dots to report or block the video.  Reporting a video will send it to YouTube for review and will be removed if it is found inappropriate.

How Do I Turn Search Off on the YouTube Kids App?

Turning the search off makes sure that your child can only watch videos on the homescreen.  The homescreen includes videos selected by the app and videos the app recommends based on what  has been watched.  To turn off the search option you simply go to the settings and switch the search to off.  Settings can be found after tapping the lock at the bottom of the screen and entering in the passcode.

Limit Kids Screen Time

 My daughter absolutely loves her tablet and especially the YouTube Kids app.  She can just keep going from one video to the next with the videos that the app recommends.  Joi would be on her tablet all day if I let her, but of course that doesn’t happen.  I take the tablet from her when I feel she has been on it enough for the day.  The YouTube Kids app has a timer where you can actually limit the screen time.  Parents can set a timer and the app will lock when it’s time to stop watching.  To set the timer you go to the settings and select timer and then set the time limit that you’d like.

If you are just not happy at all with the YouTube Kids App there are other alternatives. I love the Nick Jr., Disney Junior, and the PBS Kids apps.  You don’t have to worry about any inappropriate content on any of those apps.  Still be aware of what your kids are looking at on their device especially if you are still going to have the  YouTube Kids app installed or anything where your child can still access inappropriate content.  My toddler knows how to go in and out of apps better than most adults and she isn’t even two yet.  Just be aware and use those parental controls!

For more information on how to control what your child watches on the YouTube Kids app please read the YouTube Kids Parental Guide HERE.  Share this post with other parents!