Nine months after it was released in the United States, the YouTube Kids app from Google is crossing the Atlantic and will launch its service in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The YouTube Kids app is video service that is specifically tailored for children. The app is free of potentially adult-oriented contents, according to The Verge.
Following its release in the US, the app has been downloaded more than 10 million times. Despite its success, two consumer groups questioned the ads delivered by the app. In a statement obtained byVenture Beat, the concerned groups said, "Google is deceiving parents by marketing YouTube Kids as a safe place for children under five to explore when, in reality, the app is rife with videos that would not meet anyone's definition of 'family friendly.'"
The groups, Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood and Center for Digital Democracy, cited some adult-themed videos that can be accessed on YouTube Kids. Among these are a Budweiser beer advertisement, a TED speaker talking about his suicide attempt, a guide to red wine and a video demonstration on how to light a match.
Upon its launch in the UK and Ireland, YouTube Kids will offer localized contents such as "In the Night Garden." In the course of watching videos on the app, it will suggest more contents based on the viewing preference of the user.
In order to make sure that users of YouTube Kids can only access contents appropriate to their age, the app has a feature that allows parents to set a timer. There is also an option to add passwords in order to prevent children from accessing and changing the Settings of the app.