YouTube Kids Applies A New Content Filter For The Youngest Viewers

Google is giving new updates to its child-focused version of YouTube, YouTube Kids. According to a Tuesday blog post from YouTube’s team, parents will be able to find the right content for their children more easily. In addition, the firm will launch the web version of YouTube Kids later this week.

Content on the platform will be put into three age groups: under 4 years old – Preschool, 5 to 7 years old – Younger, and 8 to 12 years old – Older. The company said that filters for older children will give more independence.

Previously, YouTube Kids had only two age groups: under 8 years old – Younger and 8 to 13 years old – Older. In addition, parents can choose Approve Content Only, which lets parents give approval to collections, channels, and videos available to watch on the platform. Moreover, in this mode, children cannot search for videos.

Previously, YouTube Kids faced criticism for collecting data on children and using it for ad targeting. As a result, Google reached a multimillion-dollar settlement with the FTC in July. Last week, YouTube reportedly said that it would no longer run target ads on videos aimed at children.

Released four years ago on February 23, 2015, YouTube Kids was developed as a kid-focused version of the original YouTube app with curated content selections, parental control features, as well as filtering inappropriate videos for kids under 12 years old. The company initially released the platform as iOS and Android app, which has since come to Sony, Samsung, and LG smart TVs, as well as Android TV.