Abstract
- YouTube Kids is now integrated into the main app on smart TVs and game consoles, simplifying access for parents and kids.
- The standalone YouTube Kids app on TVs will be discontinued in July, and content will be moved to the main YouTube app for easier access.
- There are no changes to content or controls, making the transition smooth for users; separate apps are still available for Android and iOS platforms.
Last year, Google made YouTube Kids available on game consoles, Roku, and smart TVs by rolling it into the regular YouTube app. This brings a kid-friendly experience to the stack of devices in your living room without switching to a separate app. Plus, it’s easier to switch back to the full app when your child is done watching. Now Google plans to make this the only way to access YouTube Kids on TVs later this year.
Google announced in a support document that the stand-alone YouTube Kids app on TVs is being phased out in July. However, that is not quite the end; instead, the main YouTube app will be the new option for accessing YouTube Kids. This removes the need to jump between apps; child-friendly content will find a new home in the main YouTube client.
This change covers all platforms where YouTube Kids is available, including smart TVs, streaming devices (such as Roku, Fire Stick and Chromecast) and game consoles. To dive in, just click your profile picture in the navigation drawer, open the “Who’s Watching” screen, and select your YouTube Kids profile.
Regardless, everything else about the YouTube Kids experience remains the same. This means no changes to content, parental controls or settings. Google hasn’t said whether the same change is coming to Android or iOS. So, the company seems to be keeping separate apps on those platforms for now.
Kids can still watch YouTube Kids action even if they’re not signed in. You would normally access YouTube Kids through your child’s profile in the YouTube app. But they can also immerse themselves in the fun using a “Guest Account”.
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The YouTube Kids app for smart TVs has been around for seven years and provides a kid-friendly space with a solid algorithm. Parents could relax knowing that their children could explore the platform without encountering adult or crude content. The app puts parents in the driver’s seat, giving them control over their children’s experience.
With this upcoming update, Google will be able to stop the development of the standalone YouTube Kids TV app as it is seamlessly integrated into devices with the main client installed, making things easier and simpler.