YouTube Kids is a free, standalone app from Google with a smaller catalog of videos intended for children. It offers age-based content levels and an "Approved content only" mode.
Key features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Age-based content levels | Preschool (4-), Younger (5-8), Older (9-12) content settings. |
| Approved content only | Parent picks specific channels, videos, or collections. Search disabled. |
| Search on/off | Toggle search availability for the child's profile. |
| Timer | Built-in viewing timer with customizable duration. |
| No Shorts | YouTube Shorts do not appear in YouTube Kids. |
| Block content | Block individual videos or channels from appearing. |
| Multiple profiles | Different settings for each child. |
Platforms
iOS, Android, Smart TVs, web (limited)
Pricing
Free
Limitations
- Limited catalog — many educational creators aren't available
- No control over regular YouTube if child accesses it
- Children often outgrow it by age 8-9
- Content can still slip through age-based filtering
- No comment section (which is a feature for young kids)
- Doesn't work on desktop browsers in full capacity
Our verdict
YouTube Kids is the right starting point for children under 8. It's free, simple, and Shorts-free. But it doesn't solve the YouTube problem for older children who want the main app, and its age-based filtering is imperfect.