YouTube Kids adds new playlists, a walkthrough for parents, Chromecast and Apple TV support
According to Google, the iOS and Android app is expanding the amount of programming to watch and will soon grant you a clearer view of the parental controls, to make sure your child’s eyes don’t venture to some of the other content YouTube is infamous for.
The impact on you: YouTube Kids is designed to put child-friendly programming front and center so parents feel good about handing over their phone or tablet. The newest updates expand the options and help you to lock things down behind a filter.
The biggest boost comes in the form of support for Chromecast, Apple TV, “game consoles” and smart TVs. Google didn’t specify which consoles, though presumably you’ll be able to use it soon on a PlayStation 4 or Xbox One.
YouTube Kids also relies more on curation and less on random search. The YouTube Blog highlights new content from National Geographic Kids, Kid President, Vsauce, a “girl-power” themed playlist, and other guest-curated lists.
Since the app is designed for kids, parents expect to be able to have the final say about what the little tykes can see. There are plans for a new startup demo that shows how to choose what your child can watch, find recommended content, and flag videos that don’t belong. Google says this new feature is rolling out in the coming weeks.
You can also add a personalized passcode to access the settings. Previously you had to use the spelled-out password that the app provided.
Most of the new features appear to be coming on Google’s end, so you don’t need to look for any type of app update right now. YouTube Kids is available on Google Play and the App Store.