On 23 February, an app entitled YouTube Kids made its debut in the United States. Launched by Google, the app is a special version of YouTube designed for children. In fact, by using YouTube Kids, children can no longer click onto inappropriate Internet sites.
The app is free of charge and available for devices that run on smartphones and Google’s Android mobile operating system. The graphics feature kid-friendly design, with big, bulbous icons and minimal scrolling.
YouTube Kids also includes features for parents, such as a timer they can use to limit how much time their children spend watching videos. Once the timer ends, the app ceases to function, forcing the viewer to move on to something else. But a big question remains: what advertising policy is Google planning to adopt to generate revenue by displaying ads in a venue geared for children? It’s still a mystery!