Parents Will Have Control Over What Kids Watch On YouTube With New Tighter Controls

Google is improving settings on its YouTube Kids app to give parents more control over what their kids are watching.

The separate app for children, which launched three years ago, aimed to give kids a place to access videos, however there have been concerns over the access kids have to inappropriate content.

In controls rolling out later this year, YouTube has announced parents will be able to manually approve videos their children can access through the app, giving them the opportunity to handpick ones they feel are appropriate. Also, starting this week, there will be the option for parents to change settings in the app so it only shows channels that have been vetted by human moderators - these will be collections of videos and channels from trusted channels, created by Google.

Parents have always had the ability to turn search off within the YouTube Kids app, but now, turning search off will limit this to channels that have been verified by the YouTube Kids team.

YouTube

James Beser, product director for YouTube Kids, said: “From collections of channels from trusted partners to enabling parents to select each video and channel themselves, we’re putting parents in the driver’s seat like never before.”

The NSPCC welcomed the new controls, but said it was “overdue”. “Parents should have the confidence that a platform designed for children only shows appropriate content, and that videos which some children might find distressing or upsetting do not slip through the net,” a spokesman said in response.

Some argue more could be done to improve the safety of the app. Josh Golin, executive director of the Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood said these controls “do not absolve Google of its responsibility” to keep inappropriate content out of the app.

“Let’s not forget that most kids are watching the main YouTube platform, where they not only exposed regularly to inappropriate recommendations and content, but also ensnared by Google’s troubling data collection practices,” Golin told The Guardian.

Find out more about the controls and how to use them here.

How do you ensure your children is being safe when on YouTube and online? Let us know, drop us an email at ukparents@huffpost.com.

Before You Go

The Best Family-Friendly Beach Breaks In Kent

Viking Bay, Broadstairs(01 of08)

This horseshoe-shaped bay was Charles Dickens’ beloved holiday spot, and we can see why: a rugged coastline, soft, golden sands, rock pools and a picturesque waterfront path leading to Ramsgate (a two-mile walk away). Modern beachcombers can also enjoy an added treat: retro gelato parlour Morelli’s, for when kids (and parents) need some lip-licking refreshments. (credit:Flickr CC-BY Funk Dooby)

Sandgate Beach, Folkestone(02 of08)

Escape to this tranquil shingle-and-pebble beach for a spot of relaxation and a swim – the water quality is excellent and the Promenade backing onto the beach is ideal for a scenic stroll or cycle ride (Folkestone is 1.5 miles east; Hythe is 3 miles west). There are plenty of food and drinks spots for a quick bite, and the Lower Leas Coastal Park adventure playground (which boasts a zigzag path and tube slide among other exciting features) is less than a 10-minute walk away. (credit:Flickr CC-BY Randomfotos)

Dover Harbour Beach, Dover(03 of08)

This pebbled beach offers up one of the great wonders of the UK: a stunning view of the White Cliffs of Dover, with Dover Castle above. Little ones will get excited about the constant stream of ferries sailing in and out of the marina. Keep looking and see if you can spot France one afternoon. (credit:Flickr CC-BY a-terracini)

Tankerton Beach, Whitstable(04 of08)

Charming, multi-coloured beach huts, grassy slopes and even a skate park are all on the menu at Tankerton Beach in Whitstable. This long stretch of pebble beach leads onto ‘The Street,’ a natural spit you can walk along at low tide. Don’t miss the cannons at the top of Tankerton Slopes for some imaginative role-playing for the kids (and a brief history lesson; the area once served as a coastal defence spot). The beach is well-equipped with nearby cafés and toilet facilities. (credit:Keith Marshall via Getty Images)

Deal Beach, Deal(05 of08)

A pebble beach with a long promenade that’s perfect for strolls, the kids will enjoy exploring the local artillery fort castles constructed by Henry VIII: Sandown, Walmer and Deal, all a short-ish walk away. This is a good spot for fishing (or fishing-boat spotting). The pier dates back to the 1950s. (credit:RS Pictures via Getty Images)

Sunny Sands Beach, Folkestone(06 of08)

A small, sandy beach that’s a family favourite, Sunny Sands has been a popular watering spot since the Victorian days. With good facilities and fab street food stalls (Bob’s Seafood on The Stade is heaven for shellfish-lovers), you’ll also find watersports aplenty, including kayaking, dinghy sailing and stand-up paddle-boarding. (credit:Andrew Aitchison via Getty Images)

West Beach, Whitstable(07 of08)

This quiet shingle beach is popular with families and is the go-to spot to escape the hustle and bustle - and enjoy some of Whitstable’s famed oysters. Take in the views across the way of the Isle of Sheppey, peek at wading birds and send the kids on an oyster shell hunt. And you don’t want to miss those epic sunsets. (credit:Flickr CC-BY Neil MacWilliams)

Botany Bay, Broadstairs(08 of08)

Your Instagram page will be the envy of all your friends after a trip to the stunning sandy beach of Botany Bay, Broadstairs, thanks to striking natural features like the beach’s chalk stacks. Kids will love hunting for fossils and exploring the rock pools. Botany Bay and nearby Joss Bay are also havens for stand-up paddle-boarding, or, when the conditions are right, surfing. (credit:Ulrich Mueller via Getty Images)