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{{short description|American family-friendly app by YouTube}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox website
| name = YouTube Kids
| logo = YouTube Kids logo.svg
| logo alt =
| logo_size = 260px
| logo_caption = Logo as of 2019
| screenshot = YouTube Kids on iPad Screenshot.png
| screenshot alt =
| caption = Homepage screenshot
| collapsible =
| company_type =
| type = [[Video hosting service]]
| country = United States
| area_served = Worldwide (excluding [[censorship of YouTube|blocked countries]])
| key_people =
| industry = {{ubl|Internet|[[Video hosting service]]}}
| owner = [[Google]]
| parent = [[Google]]<br>{{small|(through [[YouTube|YouTube LLC]])}}
| founded = {{Start date and age|February 14, 2015 |df=yes/no}}
| current_status = active
| language =
| license = Proprietary
| advertising = Google [[AdSense]]
| website = {{URL|https://www.youtubekids.com}}
}}

'''YouTube Kids''' is an American video app and website for children developed by [[YouTube]], a subsidiary of [[Google]]. The app provides a version of the service oriented solely towards children, with curated selections of content, parental control features, and filtering of videos deemed inappropriate for viewing by children under the age of 13, in accordance with the [[Children's Online Privacy Protection Act]], which prohibits the regular YouTube app from profiling children under the age of 13 for advertising purposes.<ref>{{Cite web|title=YouTube Kids|url=https://www.youtubekids.com/|access-date=2021-02-03|website=www.youtubekids.com}}</ref>

First released on February 15, 2015, as an [[Android (operating system)|Android]] and [[iOS]] [[mobile app]],<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Google Launches 'YouTube Kids,' a New Family-Friendly App|url=https://www.wired.com/2015/02/youtube-kids/|last=Alba|first=Davey|author-link=Davey Alba|date=February 23, 2015|magazine=Wired|access-date=October 5, 2018}}</ref> the app has since been released for [[LG Electronics|LG]], [[Samsung Electronics|Samsung]], and [[Sony]] [[smart TV]]s, as well as for [[Android TV]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=YouTube Kids comes to smart TVs|url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/04/25/youtube-kids-comes-to-smart-tvs/|last=Perez|first=Sarah|website=TechCrunch|date=April 25, 2017 |access-date=April 30, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=August 10, 2017|title=Android TV app for YouTube Kids now available|language=en-US|work=Android Police|url=https://www.androidpolice.com/2017/08/10/android-tv-app-youtube-kids-now-available/|access-date=April 27, 2018}}</ref> On May 27, 2020, it became available on [[Apple TV]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=May 27, 2020|title=YouTube Kids is now on Apple TV|work=Engadget|url=https://www.engadget.com/you-tube-kids-on-apple-tv-043113790.html}}</ref> As of September 2019, the app is available in 69 countries.<ref>{{Cite web|title=System requirements and app availability for YouTube Kids – Android – YouTube Kids Parental Guide|url=https://support.google.com/youtubekids/answer/6130573|access-date=2021-05-11|website=support.google.com}}</ref> YouTube launched a web-based version of YouTube Kids on August 30, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://social.techcrunch.com/2019/08/30/youtube-kids-launches-on-the-web/|title=YouTube Kids launches on the web|website=TechCrunch|date=August 30, 2019|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-04|archive-date=January 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200107180644/https://techcrunch.com/2019/08/30/youtube-kids-launches-on-the-web/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

YouTube Kids has faced criticism from advocacy groups, particularly the [[Fairplay (organization)|Fairplay Organization]], for concerns surrounding the app's use of commercial advertising, as well as algorithmic suggestions of videos that may be inappropriate for the app's target audience, as the app has been associated with a controversy surrounding [[Elsagate|disturbing and/or violent videos depicting characters from children's media franchises]]. Criticism over the videos led YouTube to announce that it would take more stringent actions to review and filter such videos when reported by the community, and prevent them from being accessible from within the YouTube Kids app.

== Features==
=== Content ===

The app is divided into four content categories; "Recommended", "Shows", "Music", and "Learning". The categories feature curated selections of content from channels deemed appropriate for children.<ref name="tc-expands">{{Cite news|date=November 2, 2017|title=YouTube Kids update gives kids their own profiles, expands controls|language=en-US|work=TechCrunch|url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/11/02/youtube-kids-update-gives-kids-their-own-profiles-expands-controls/|access-date=May 22, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Hands On With "YouTube Kids," Google's Newly Launched, Child-Friendly YouTube App|url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/02/23/hands-on-with-youtube-kids-googles-newly-launched-child-friendly-youtube-app/|website=TechCrunch|date=February 23, 2015 |language=en-US|access-date=April 27, 2018}}</ref>

In August 2016, the app was updated to support the YouTube Red (now [[YouTube Premium]]) subscription service, allowing ad-free playback, background playback, and offline playback for subscribers.<ref>{{Cite web|title=YouTube Kids rolls out an ad-free option|url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/08/03/youtube-kids-rolls-out-an-ad-free-option/|website=TechCrunch|date=August 3, 2016 |language=en-US|access-date=April 27, 2018}}</ref> In February 2017, YouTube began to introduce [[List of original programs distributed by YouTube Premium|premium original series]] oriented specifically towards YouTube Kids, including ''[[DanTDM Creates a Big Scene]]'', ''[[Fruit Ninja: Frenzy Force]]'', ''Hyperlinked'', and ''[[Kings of Atlantis]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=YouTube Kids gets its own original shows|url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/02/13/youtube-kids-gets-its-own-original-shows/|last=Perez|first=Sarah|website=TechCrunch|date=February 13, 2017 |access-date=April 30, 2017}}</ref> YouTube has also presented advocacy campaigns through special playlists featured on YouTube Kids, including "#ReadAlong" (a series of videos, primarily featuring [[kinetic typography]]) to promote literacy,<ref>{{Cite news|title=A new reading movement for YouTube Kids|work=Kidscreen|url=http://kidscreen.com/2016/06/14/a-new-reading-movement-for-youtube-kids/|access-date=April 27, 2018}}</ref> "#TodayILearned" (which featured a playlist of [[Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics|STEM]]-oriented programs and videos),<ref>{{Cite news|title=YouTube Kids launches #TodayILearned campaign|work=Kidscreen|url=http://kidscreen.com/2016/09/02/youtube-kids-launches-todayilearned-campaign/|access-date=April 27, 2018}}</ref> and "Make it Healthy, Make it Fun" (a collaboration with [[Marc Gasol|Marc]] and [[Pau Gasol]] to promote healthy living and an active lifestyle to children).<ref>{{Cite web|title=YouTube Kids, Gasol brothers get healthy together|url=http://kidscreen.com/2017/04/06/youtube-kids-gasol-brothers-get-healthy-together/|access-date=April 30, 2017}}</ref>

In November 2017, the app was updated to add additional user interface modes designed for different age groups, ranging from the existing simplified interface (intended for younger children) to a more dense interface designed for older children.<ref name="tc-expands" />

In September 2018, YouTube added new age group options relating to the content offered in the app, "Younger" and "Older". "Younger" maintains the existing mix of content offered before, and "Older" adds more content from other genres, such as nature, gaming, and music.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=http://social.techcrunch.com/2018/09/13/youtube-kids-adds-a-whitelisting-parent-control-feature-plus-a-new-experience-for-tweens/|title=YouTube Kids adds a whitelisting parental control feature, plus a new experience for tweens|website=TechCrunch|date=September 13, 2018|language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-30|last1=Perez|first1=Sarah|archive-date=January 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200107180637/https://techcrunch.com/2018/09/13/youtube-kids-adds-a-whitelisting-parent-control-feature-plus-a-new-experience-for-tweens/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In August 2019, the "Younger" setting was split to add a new "Preschool" group, with a focus on "creativity, playfulness, learning, and exploration".<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://social.techcrunch.com/2019/08/28/ahead-of-ftc-ruling-youtube-kids-is-getting-a-website/|title=Ahead of FTC ruling, YouTube Kids is getting its own website|website=TechCrunch|date=August 28, 2019|language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-30|archive-date=January 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200107180637/https://techcrunch.com/2019/08/28/ahead-of-ftc-ruling-youtube-kids-is-getting-a-website/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Parental controls===
The YouTube Kids app features [[parental control]] settings that allow parents to limit screen time, and restrict users from accessing the search tool. Parents can use a passcode or their [[Google account]] to protect these settings, and configure [[User profile|profiles]] for multiple users to tailor their experiences.<ref>{{Cite web|title=YouTube Addresses Complaints About Inappropriate Content In Updated YouTube Kids App|url=https://beta.techcrunch.com/2015/10/01/youtube-addresses-complaints-about-inappropriate-content-in-updated-youtube-kids-app/|website=TechCrunch|date=October 2015 |language=en-US|access-date=April 27, 2018}}</ref><ref name="tc-expands"/>

==Reception==
=== Advertising ===
The [[Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood]] (CCFC) and the Center for Digital Democracy (CDD) both expressed concern over the use of advertising within the YouTube Kids app, arguing that children would not be able to distinguish the ads from content. Short [[Bumper (broadcasting)|bumpers]] were later added to the app to establish a separation between advertising and content.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Skwarecki|first=Beth|title=Is YouTube Kids Purposely Training Kids to Watch YouTube Ads?|language=en-US|work=Lifehacker|url=http://lifehacker.com/is-youtube-kids-purposely-training-kids-to-watch-youtub-1794607840|access-date=April 30, 2017}}</ref>

=== Filtering issues ===
The YouTube Kids app has faced criticism over the accessibility of videos that are inappropriate for its target audience. The CCFC filed an FTC complaint over YouTube Kids shortly after its release, citing examples of inappropriate videos that were accessible via the app's search tool (such as those related to wine in their testing), and the Recommended page eventually using search history to surface such videos. YouTube defended the criticism, stating that it was developed in consultation with other advocacy groups, and that the company was open to feedback over the app's operation.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|title=YouTube Kids has been a problem since 2015 — why did it take this long to address?|work=Polygon|url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/12/8/16737556/youtube-kids-video-inappropriate-superhero-disney|access-date=April 27, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=April 6, 2015|title=FTC asked to investigate YouTube Kids for deceptively targeting toddlers with ads|language=en-US|work=The Mercury News|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/2015/04/06/ftc-asked-to-investigate-youtube-kids-for-deceptively-targeting-toddlers-with-ads/|access-date=April 27, 2018}}</ref> A larger YouTube controversy referred to as "[[Elsagate]]" discovered by [[Matan Uziel]] and [[Charlie Warzel]] has also been associated with the app, referring to channels which post videos featuring characters from popular franchises (especially, among others, ''[[Frozen (2013 film)|Frozen]]'', ''[[PAW Patrol]],'' ''[[Thomas and Friends]],'' ''[[Peppa Pig]]'', and ''[[Spider-Man]]''), but with disturbing, sexually suggestive, violent, or otherwise inappropriate themes and content.<ref>{{Cite news|date=March 27, 2017|title=The disturbing YouTube videos that are tricking children|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-39381889|access-date=April 27, 2018}}</ref>

YouTube global head of family and children's content Malik Ducard admitted that "making the app family friendly is of the utmost importance to us", but admitted that the service was not curated all the time, and that parents had the responsibility to use the app's parental controls to control how it is used by their children (including disabling access to the search tool).<ref name=":1" /> Josh Golin, director of the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, argued that automated algorithms were not enough to determine whether a video is age-appropriate, and that the process required manual curation.<ref name=":1">{{Cite Q|Q119270203|access-date=2023-06-09}}</ref> He added that "the YouTube model has created something, which is so vast, but there are 400 hours of content are uploaded every minute. It's simply too big. People have been raising these issues for years, just visit any parenting forum and they’ve been talking about the fake ''Peppa Pig'' videos."<ref name=":0" />

In November 2017, YouTube announced that it would take further steps to review and filter videos reported by users as containing inappropriate content, including more stringent use of its filtering and age-restriction system to prevent such videos from appearing on the app and YouTube proper.<ref>{{Cite news|title=YouTube says it will crack down on bizarre videos targeting children|work=The Verge|url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/11/9/16629788/youtube-kids-distrubing-inappropriate-flag-age-restrict|access-date=April 27, 2018}}</ref> In an update to the YouTube Kids app that month, a more prominent disclaimer was added to its first-time setup process, stating that the service cannot fully guarantee the appropriateness of videos that were not manually curated, and informing parents of means to report and block videos that they do not find suitable.<ref name="tc-expands" />

These options expanded further in 2018, with the addition of an option to restrict users to human-reviewed channels and recommendations, as well as a manual whitelisting system.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://social.techcrunch.com/2018/04/25/for-the-first-time-parents-can-limit-youtube-kids-to-human-reviewed-videos-and-recommendations/|title=For the first time, parents will be able to limit YouTube Kids to human-reviewed channels and recommendations|website=TechCrunch|date=April 25, 2018|language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-30|archive-date=January 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200107180637/https://techcrunch.com/2018/04/25/for-the-first-time-parents-can-limit-youtube-kids-to-human-reviewed-videos-and-recommendations/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=":3" />

== Geographic availability ==
[[File:Availability of Youtube Kids in the World.svg|thumb|450px|Countries in which YouTube Kids is available]]

=== Android ===
[[Algeria]], [[Argentina]], [[Aruba]], [[Australia]], [[Austria]], [[Azerbaijan]], [[Bahrain]], [[Bangladesh]], [[Belarus]], [[Belgium]], [[Bermuda]], [[Bolivia]], [[Bosnia]], [[Brazil]], [[Bulgaria]], [[Canada]] (excluding [[Quebec]]), [[Cayman Islands]], [[Chile]], [[Colombia]], [[Costa Rica]], [[Croatia]], [[Cyprus]], [[Czech Republic]], [[Denmark]], [[Dominican Republic]], [[Ecuador]], [[Egypt]], [[Estonia]], [[El Salvador]], [[Finland]], [[France]], [[Germany]], [[Greece]], [[Ghana]], [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]], [[Guatemala]], [[Honduras]], [[Hong Kong]], [[Hungary]], [[Iceland]], [[India]], [[Indonesia]], [[Iraq]], [[Ireland]], [[Israel]], [[Italy]], [[Jamaica]], [[Japan]], [[Jordan]], [[Kazakhstan]], [[Kenya]], [[Kuwait]], [[Latvia]], [[Lebanon]], [[Libya]], [[Lithuania]], [[Liechtenstein]], [[Luxembourg]], [[Malaysia]], [[Malta]], [[Mexico]], [[Morocco]], [[Nepal]], [[Netherlands]], [[New Zealand]], [[Nigeria]], [[Nicaragua]], [[North Macedonia]], [[Norway]], [[Oman]], [[Pakistan]], [[Paraguay]], [[Panama]], [[Papua New Guinea]], [[Peru]], [[Philippines]], [[Poland]], [[Portugal]], [[Qatar]], [[Romania]], [[Russia]], [[Saudi Arabia]], [[Senegal]], [[Serbia]], [[Singapore]], [[Slovakia]], [[Slovenia]], [[South Africa]], [[South Korea]], [[Sri Lanka]], [[Spain]], [[Sweden]], [[Switzerland]], [[Taiwan]], [[Tanzania]], [[Thailand]], [[Tunisia]], [[Turkey]], [[Turks and Caicos Islands]], [[Uganda]], [[Ukraine]], [[United Arab Emirates]], [[United Kingdom]], [[United States]], [[Uruguay]], [[Venezuela]], [[Vietnam]], [[Yemen]] and [[Zimbabwe]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=System requirements and app availability for YouTube Kids – Android – YouTube Kids Parental Guide|url=https://support.google.com/youtubekids/answer/6130573?co=GENIE.Platform=Android&hl=en|access-date=2020-07-23|website=support.google.com}}</ref>

=== iOS ===
Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Bermuda, Bolivia, Bosnia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada (excluding Quebec), Cayman Islands, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Estonia, Egypt, El Salvador, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Ghana, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Nicaragua, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda, Ukraine, Uruguay, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, United States, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen and Zimbabwe<ref>{{Cite web|title=System requirements and app availability for YouTube Kids – iPhone & iPad – YouTube Kids Parental Guide|url=https://support.google.com/youtubekids/answer/6130573?co=GENIE.Platform=iOS&hl=en|access-date=2021-04-01|website=support.google.com}}</ref>

=== Website ===
Algeria, American Samoa, Argentina, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Bermuda, Bolivia, Bosnia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, French Guiana, French Polynesia, Germany, Greece, Ghana, Georgia, Guam, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Nicaragua, Northern Mariana Islands, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, U.S. Virgin Islands, Vatican City, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen and Zimbabwe.<ref>{{Cite web|title=System requirements and app availability for YouTube Kids on the web – YouTube Kids Parental Guide|url=https://support.google.com/youtubekids/answer/9597907?hl=en|access-date=2021-04-01}}</ref>

=== Television ===
Argentina, Aruba (Android TV only), Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh (Android TV only), Belarus, Belgium, Bermuda, Bolivia, Bosnia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada (excluding Quebec), Cayman Islands, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Estonia, El Salvador, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ghana, Georgia, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Montenegro (Apple TV and Smart TVs only), Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Nicaragua, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam and Zimbabwe.<ref>{{Cite web|title=System requirements and app availability for YouTube Kids on TV – YouTube Kids Parental Guide|url=https://support.google.com/youtubekids/answer/7321075?hl=en|access-date=2021-04-01|website=support.google.com}}</ref>

YouTube Kids will be available in the Bahamas,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.youtube.kids&hl=en_bs&gl=BS|title = YouTube Kids – Apps on Google Play}}</ref> Belize,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.youtube.kids&hl=en_bz&gl=BS|title = YouTube Kids – Apps on Google Play}}</ref> Dominica,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.youtube.kids&hl=fr_dm&gl=BS|title = YouTube Kids – Applications sur Google Play}}</ref> Haiti,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.youtube.kids&hl=ht&gl=US|title = YouTube Kids – Applications sur Google Play}}</ref> Moldova,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.youtube.kids&hl=mo&gl=US|title = YouTube Kids – Aplicații pe Google Play}}</ref> Montenegro,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.youtube.kids&hl=cnr&gl=US|title = YouTube Kids – Aplikacije na Google Play-u}}</ref> Puerto Rico<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.youtube.kids&hl=es_pr&gl=BS|title = YouTube Kids – Apps en Google Play}}</ref> and Tajikistan<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details/YouTube_Kids?id=com.google.android.apps.youtube.kids&hl=tg&gl=US|title = Приложения в Google Play – YouTube Детям}}</ref> in the future.

== See also ==

* [[Vine Kids]], a subsidiary of [[Vine (service)|Vine]] with a similar concept

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|https://www.youtube.com/kids}}
* [https://www.youtubekids.com/ Official web portal]
{{YouTube navbox}}

[[Category:2015 software]]
[[Category:Internet properties established in 2015]]
[[Category:YouTube|Kids]]
[[Category:Android (operating system) software]]
[[Category:IOS software]]
[[Category:Children's entertainment]]
[[Category:Children's websites]]

YouTube Kids - Revision history

Ajay Kumar: Created a new article