How to filter YouTube Kids videos?
YouTube Kids is a version of YouTube designed for children. Its purpose is to provide a safer viewing experience compared to the main YouTube platform. It features curated content and parental controls to help ensure kids watch age-appropriate videos.
Parental controls and filtering options are vital for managing what your children see on YouTube Kids. These tools let you tailor the viewing experience to your child’s age and your family’s values.
YouTube Kids offers several filtering methods:
- Age appropriateness: You can set an age range, limiting content to what’s deemed suitable for that age group.
- Content restrictions: You can block specific content categories or channels you don’t want your child to access. This could include videos with certain themes or from particular creators.
Setting Up Age Appropriate Filters
Setting up age-appropriate filters on YouTube Kids is crucial for creating a safe viewing experience for your child. Here’s how to do it:
- Open the YouTube Kids app: Locate the app icon on your device and tap to open it.
- Access the parental controls: Usually, a parent’s profile or settings icon (often a gear or a person silhouette) is visible. Tap on it.
- Select your child’s age group: You’ll be prompted to choose an age range for your child (e.g., 2-5, 5-8, 8+). The selection greatly influences the content shown. YouTube Kids uses this to pre-filter videos, restricting access to videos deemed inappropriate for younger viewers. Remember, this is not foolproof.
- Review content options (if available): Some versions of the app allow additional customization, letting you further refine content based on channels or specific video categories. Explore these options to achieve better control.
Limitations of Age-Based Filtering:
- No system is perfect: While YouTube Kids strives to filter content appropriately, some videos might slip through. Regular monitoring is still needed.
- Age is not a perfect indicator: A video suitable for an 8-year-old might not be appropriate for a 7-year-old, or vice-versa. Parental judgment is key.
- Updates and changes: The YouTube Kids algorithm and content are constantly evolving. A video deemed suitable today might be flagged later.
For enhanced protection, consider using a parental control app alongside YouTube Kids. Paid options such as mSpy and FlexiSpy offer more comprehensive features than the built-in YouTube Kids filters.
| Age Range | Content Type | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| 2-5 | Simple, cartoonish videos, nursery rhymes | Might include some content unsuitable for very young children. |
| 5-8 | More complex storylines, educational content | May contain videos with mild violence or themes not suitable for all children in this age range. |
| 8+ | More mature content, longer videos | Content may still contain material that parents deem unsuitable. Requires ongoing supervision. |
Using Approved Content Lists
YouTube Kids allows you to create Approved content lists to fine-tune what your child can watch. This offers more precise control than relying on the app’s default settings.
Creating and Managing Approved Content Lists:
- Access the Settings: Open the YouTube Kids app and tap the profile icon (usually a circle with your child’s profile picture). Then, select “Settings.”
- Navigate to Approved Content: In the settings menu, find and select “Approved content.”
- Add Items: You can add videos or channels. To add a video, play it first within YouTube Kids. Then, while the video is playing, tap the three vertical dots, and select “Add to approved content list.”
- Add Channels: Search for a channel, and then tap the channel’s icon, followed by the three vertical dots. Select “Add to approved content list.”
- Manage Your List: To review your added content, go to “Approved content” in the settings again. Here, you can easily remove items you no longer wish to include.
- Troubleshooting:
- Item Not Appearing: Ensure the item is visible on your own YouTube Kids account. If it isn’t, it may not be available for adding to the list.
- Removal Issues: If you can’t remove an item, try restarting the app or device. If the problem persists, check for app updates.
Benefits of Using Approved Content Lists:
- Precise Control: Go beyond age-based restrictions to include only content you’ve specifically chosen.
- Curated Experience: Build a list tailored to your child’s interests and developmental stage.
- Peace of Mind: Knowing exactly what your child is watching reduces worry.
Blocking Specific Channels and Videos
You can block specific channels or videos on YouTube Kids to ensure your child only sees appropriate content. Here’s how to identify and block unwanted content:
1. Identifying Inappropriate Content:
- Actively watch videos with your child: This helps you understand what they are watching and identify potentially inappropriate content.
- Use YouTube Kids’ search function: Search for terms your child might use to see what results appear. This can help identify channels or videos that you want to block.
- Pay attention to video descriptions and comments: These may offer clues about the content’s suitability.
2. Blocking Specific Channels and Videos:
- Open the YouTube Kids app: Locate the video or channel you wish to block.
- Access the channel or video options: Usually a three-dot menu icon.
- Select the ‘Block’ or similar option: This will remove the channel or video from your child’s view.
- Confirm the action: The app will likely ask you to confirm that you want to block the item.
3. Regularly Review Blocked Content:
- Periodically review your blocked list: YouTube Kids content changes frequently, and a previously blocked video might now be suitable.
- Unblock videos or channels if necessary: Remove items from the block list when they are no longer inappropriate for your child’s age and maturity level.
4. Consider Additional Parental Control Apps:
While YouTube Kids offers built-in parental controls, for more comprehensive control, you may consider using additional parental control apps. Some free options are available, but if you need more robust features, paid options such as mSpy exist.
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Blocking Specific Channels | Prevents access to all videos from a particular channel. |
| Blocking Specific Videos | Blocks a single video but not other videos from the same channel. |
Managing Search History and Viewing History
Monitoring your child’s YouTube Kids search and viewing history is crucial for ensuring they’re watching age-appropriate content. Regularly reviewing this history helps you understand their viewing habits and assess whether the current filter settings are effective.
Accessing and Reviewing History:
- YouTube Kids app: Open the YouTube Kids app. Tap your profile picture, then select “Settings.” Look for “History” to view both search and viewing history. The exact wording may vary depending on the app version.
- YouTube website (if using YouTube Kids on a web browser): Access your child’s Google account and use the main YouTube website’s history tools (Search history and Watch History) to check activity. Note that some parental controls might override these settings, depending on how they are configured.
Using History to Adjust Settings:
Once you’ve reviewed the history, you can make informed decisions about adjusting settings. For example:
- If you find inappropriate videos, it might mean the filters need to be tightened. Review the filter settings in the YouTube Kids app and adjust the age appropriateness level.
- If your child is repeatedly searching for a specific inappropriate topic, consider adding this term to the app’s blocked list (if available). Alternatively, use the app’s approved content list to proactively provide a selection of suitable videos.
- Conversely, if the history shows only age-appropriate content, it’s a sign the current controls are working well. Regular checks are still important to ensure the filter remains effective, especially if new content is frequently added to the platform.
By regularly reviewing your child’s search and viewing history on YouTube Kids, you can actively manage and refine the controls to create a safer viewing experience.
Additional Tips for Safe Viewing
Here are some extra tips to make YouTube Kids safer for your children:
Open Communication: Talk to your kids about what they see online and the importance of being safe. Explain that not everything online is true or safe. Make it a regular part of your conversations.
Time Limits: Set clear limits for how long your children can watch YouTube Kids. Too much screen time isn’t good.
Watch Together: Watch videos with your children. This is a great way to see what they are watching and talk about it.
Learn More: Check out these websites for more online safety information for kids:
|
|
|
Creating a safe YouTube Kids experience requires ongoing effort. Remember that consistent monitoring and regular adjustments to the filtering settings are crucial. No system is perfect, so your active involvement is key.
Utilize all the tools available within the YouTube Kids app to personalize your child’s viewing experience. Actively engage with your child’s online activities; talk to them about what they’re watching and why it’s important to be selective. This shared experience helps build healthy online habits.
For further assistance or to explore additional resources, consider these options:
While YouTube Kids offers excellent built-in parental controls, for enhanced monitoring and additional features, consider using a paid parental control app alongside the free options. Explore mSpy or FlexiSpy.