YouTube will launch a new, child-friendly version of its video streaming service for mobile devices on Monday, according to a report from USA Today. The app will initially be available for Android and in the U.S. only, but YouTube has plans to expand it to other platforms and countries too.
The app will be separate to the main YouTube service and features a homescreen with eight options made up of choices from kids TV shows and other popular recommendations. It is also expected to feature original episodes of popular television shows for preschoolers, including “Thomas the Tank Engine” and “Sesame Street,” as well as content from the many kid-safe channels already featured on YouTube. Kids can search for videos by typing a normal search or using their voice, which the company anticipates will be popular as many young children can’t type. The app won’t be able to search for inappropriate terms, instead suggesting they try again if they search for words like “sex.”
“Parents were constantly asking us, can you make YouTube a better place for our kids,” says Shimrit Ben-Yair, the project’s group product manager, noting that family-friendly fare is a booming business on YouTube. “(Year over year) we’ve seen 50% growth in viewing time on YouTube, but for our family entertainment channels, it’s more like 200%.”
In addition to providing access to suitable content, the app will offer curated options to help find videos easily. Dedicated channels and playlists that span TV shows, learning experiences, exploration and music will be available. It also strips out a lot of the complications of classic YouTube: comments are gone and the interface is tiny finger friendly. “The images are big as are the tap targets for small fingers, and since most younger children can’t type, they can search with voice,” says Ben-Yair. Parents can also set a viewing timer: once that runs out the password needs to be reentered before more video can be watched.
But then, what if the kids just fire up the standard YouTube app, eh, Google?
