Kids’ consumption of online media is certainly rising, as a report posted by Adweek indicates that children aged anywhere between 2 and 17 can spend a significant amount of time watching online media, along with typical television and other means of entertainment.
So, of course, it would make sense for a company like YouTube to launch a specific application that caters to kids — in this case, YouTube Kids. Available now for Android {link no longer active} and iOS, the app works as a hub for family-friendly content,” as the “first Google product built from the ground up with little ones in mind,” according to VentureBeat. A video showcasing the new app is featured below.
With the app, parents can rest at ease, as YouTube vows to provide programming for videos that are safe for kids to watch, without running into clips that aren’t suitable for them. This includes popular programming from Sesame Street, Reading Rainbow and other outlets. Match and science tutorials are included as well, providing an educational side of the channel, along with entertainment.
The shows are divided into four basic categories: Shows, Music, Learning and Explore, with an easy search engine that tracks down favorites, including Dreamworks shows and Mother Goose Club, among other popular types.
While YouTube is unsure of the app’s popularity, it did say that “the possibilities are endless as a child’s curiosity,” although it’s really up to parents’ judgment in terms of whether it will really take off.
However, if recent online viewing habits indicate anything, the channel has a great shot at success. Nielsen posted some numbers looking at the viewership habits of younger consumers, ranging across three different age groups. The chart can be found in full below, and reveals plenty of big numbers, such as how much kids’ TV viewing has changed by age over the years, and how they turn to a mobile device as a second screen.
In addition, the report breaks down popular web portals amongst age groups, including those of general interest, along with social networking, online games and kids’ entertainment websites.
YouTube should have no trouble slotting itself into this group — provided, again, that parents don’t mind letting their kids check the app out for themselves. However, the company is devoted to filtering the content so that it’s well-suited for younger viewers. “We’re as focused on kids’ safety as you are, so we’ve built the YouTube Kids app to be a family-friendly place to explore,” explained Shimrit Ben-Yair, YouTube Kids product manager — and a mother of two to boot.
