Top YouTube Alternatives for Kids
Updated: 19 January 2024
Watching YouTube videos can take you down a rabbit hole. As a child, if you are watching unsupervised, you can find yourself in a pretty dangerous spot. For parents, allowing unsupervised access to YouTube for their children can be concerning, given the potential exposure to inappropriate content. In response to this challenge, YouTube introduced a solution in the form of YouTube Kids. Accessible through both web and app platforms, YouTube Kids is designed to provide a secure digital space filled with enjoyable and educational content tailored for children up to 12.
Despite YouTube's efforts to create a safe environment, concerns about inappropriate content finding its way into the platform have arisen. A recent study conducted by the nonprofit organization Common Sense Media revealed that a significant 27 percent of children aged eight and under end up watching videos intended for older audiences, often containing violence. In some instances, advertisements promoting unhealthy junk food have also infiltrated the child-friendly space.
Recognizing the need for alternative platforms prioritizing child safety, it's worth exploring other kid-friendly apps that offer a more controlled and secure digital experience for your little ones. Here's a curated list of top-notch applications, ensuring both entertainment for kids and peace of mind for parents.
1. Disney+
Embark on an enchanting journey with Disney+, a streaming service that weaves the magic of Disney into the digital realm, captivating the hearts and imaginations of children of all ages. Tailored to be a haven for kids, Disney+ goes beyond mere entertainment, offering a carefully curated collection of movies, shows, and documentaries that cater to a diverse audience.
To maximize the Disney+ experience for your child, creating a personalized profile is key. It allows for a customized content selection and facilitates the implementation of vigorous parental controls. These controls empower parents to monitor usage, set age-appropriate content restrictions, and manage viewing time, providing a secure digital environment for their young ones.
The magic of Disney+ extends to its content library, which spans beloved animated classics, engaging series, and educational documentaries. From timeless fairy tales to modern adventures, Disney+ strikes a balance between entertainment and education. The absence of external advertisements ensures an uninterrupted viewing experience, allowing kids to immerse themselves in the captivating narratives that Disney is renowned for.
While Disney+ doesn't offer a separate app exclusively for kids, its user-friendly interface and parental controls make it easy for families to navigate the platform together. The subscription, priced at $7.99 per month or $79.99 annually, unlocks a treasure trove of Disney magic, making it a worthwhile investment for families seeking a wholesome and enchanting digital space for their children.
2. KidsBeeTV
For parents seeking a familiar YouTube-esque experience with an added layer of educational precision, KidsBeeTV stands out as a compelling option. Tailored for preschoolers, this app presents a curated selection of video content that mirrors the appeal of YouTube. What sets KidsBeeTV apart is its commitment to quality control, where a team of educators meticulously handpicks each video, ensuring it meets stringent content standards.
KidsBeeTV goes beyond mere content curation; it injects an educational essence into each video. Whether through engaging quizzes, interactive games, or informative snippets, this app transforms the viewing experience into a holistic learning journey for your little ones. The result is a fusion of entertainment and education, providing a well-rounded digital experience that aligns with parents' aspirations for their child's development.
Much like its content, KidsBeeTV's subscription model is designed to cater to parents' needs. The app offers a generous 14-day trial period, allowing families to explore its features and gauge its suitability. Following the trial, KidsBeeTV adopts a subscription model with a monthly fee of $7.99, delivering ongoing access to a carefully curated world of educational and entertaining content for your children.
3. Nick Jr.
Nick Jr. consistently secures its place among the elite in children's entertainment channels, delivering diverse content suitable for toddlers through high schoolers. Extending its reach into the digital realm, Nick Jr. offers an app experience that mirrors the quality and reliability of its television broadcasts. The Nick Jr. app provides a space where kids can indulge in their favorite shows sans interruptions from advertisements or external sources, ensuring a seamless and immersive viewing experience.
What sets Nick Jr.'s app apart is its transparency — the content available on the app mirrors exactly what is broadcasted on the television channel. This means parents can rest assured, knowing precisely what their children are tuning into. The convenience of aligning digital content with televised programming adds an extra layer of control for parents seeking a consistent and trusted source of entertainment for their kids.
The icing on the cake? Nick Jr.'s app comes with a delightful surprise — it's entirely free. While some specific television shows may require a subscription to unlock all episodes within the app, most of the content remains accessible without any cost. This combination of quality, transparency, and affordability makes the Nick Jr. app a standout choice for families seeking a worry-free and enjoyable digital space for their children.
4. Netflix
Make the most of your Netflix subscription, if you have one, by customizing a dedicated profile for your child. Within the vast Netflix library, a treasure trove of thousands of movies awaits, and there's an entire section crafted specifically for kids. Netflix Kids spans a wide spectrum of entertainment, encompassing television shows, movies, cartoons, documentaries, and much more, ensuring a diverse and engaging viewing experience for children of all ages.
Unlike some standalone kids' apps, Netflix seamlessly integrates its child-friendly content into the main platform. To navigate this digital playground effectively, parental controls become your ally. These controls empower you to fine-tune your child's viewing experience by restricting access to certain content and adding an additional layer of security with a PIN requirement for accessing adult profiles.
While there isn't a separate app exclusively for kids, the absence of one comes with its own benefits. The integrated approach allows for a unified family viewing experience, where everyone can enjoy their preferred content within the same platform. By utilizing the robust parental controls, you shape a safe and age-appropriate digital space for your child and streamline your family's entertainment journey on Netflix.
Kidoodle.TV is a streaming service similar to YouTube Kids but with a distinctive approach to parental control and content curation. Geared towards children up to the age of 12, Kidoodle.TV provides a secure digital space for your little ones to explore a plethora of content. To get started, a simple sign-up and account creation process opens the gateway to a range of parental controls, offering a comprehensive toolkit for mindful oversight.
What sets Kidoodle.TV apart is its monitoring system, a collaborative effort involving parents and educators. This unique blend ensures the platform's content aligns with developmental and entertainment standards. Parents can take charge of their child's digital experience by monitoring usage patterns, setting time limits, and even selectively disabling specific videos, providing a safe learning and play environment.
Kidoodle.TV caters to diverse interests with a content library spanning stories, music, and a mix of educational and entertaining videos. Best of all, it is totally free, reinforcing Kidoodle.TV's commitment to delivering a customizable and enjoyable digital space for your child.
Related Reading: The Top 5 iPad 5th Generation Cases for Kids
Top Kid-Friendly Safety Tips
1. Don’t Leave Them Unattended
Using your iPad Pro 11 to babysit your child is very tempting. However, make an effort and take the time to sit down and watch the content together. Watch what types of content they go for, how they navigate the app, and whether anything inappropriate pops up. Keeping an eye on what your kids watch is one of the best ways to keep them safe. Also, discuss the importance of internet safety and not giving out personal information.
2. Set Up the iPad’s Parental Controls
Take advantage of the iPad’s parental controls. The iPad Pro 11 allows you to set a limit on screen time using a separate passcode. Or you can impose age-related restrictions in apps, books, movies, and television shows across all devices. You can also prevent music playback with explicit content and movies or TV shows with specific ratings.
Apps also have ratings that can be configured using content restrictions. The settings can also automatically filter website content, limiting access to adult content in Safari and other apps on your iPad Pro 11. You can also add specific websites to an approved or blocked list or restrict access to only authorized websites.
3. Choose a Safe and Sturdy iPad Case
While an iPad cover may not directly relate to internet safety, it plays a pivotal role in safeguarding your iPad Pro 11's longevity, especially when it comes to the unpredictable nature of kids. Children, as delightful as they are, tend to be less than gentle with their belongings. Whether it's accidental slips, sudden falls, or the device being casually tossed aside after a viewing session, an iPad can encounter various hazards in the hands of little ones.
Enter the ZUGU iPad Pro 11 case — a game-changer in device protection. Crafted from durable TPU plastic with reinforced corners, this case goes beyond aesthetics. It's a fortress for your iPad, designed to withstand the inevitable bumps and tumbles that come with youthful exuberance. With the ZUGU case in place, you can bid farewell to the worry of unexpected repair costs resulting from accidental mishaps.
What sets the ZUGU case apart is its commitment to not just protection but also functionality. The case features an adjustable kickstand offering a remarkable eight viewing angles. This versatility ensures that your child can enjoy their favorite content comfortably, whether for entertainment or educational purposes.
In essence, while internet safety is a digital concern, the physical safety of your iPad Pro 11 is equally significant. The ZUGU case not only shields your device from potential harm but also enhances the overall viewing experience. Consider it an investment in both the longevity of your iPad and the uninterrupted joy of your child's digital adventures.
Navigating the Digital Playground with Confidence
As technology becomes an integral part of our children's lives, our choices in digital platforms, streaming services, and protective measures contribute to shaping a positive and enriching online experience. With the right tools and mindful selections, we can foster a digital playground where creativity thrives, learning flourishes, and, above all, our children's safety remains the top priority. May the journey through this digital realm be educational and joyous, filled with memorable moments that enrich our children's lives.