When a preschooler is handed an iPad, there’s nothing more popular than YouTube. My own son has been unleashed on the video platform, when I’m handling something important (no parenting shame!). The fact that so many programming options, creative outlets and even his favorite characters are featured in videos is a lifesaver in certain moments. But, that being said, the platform’s “related” videos are getting weirder, weirder, and more random. One time, I set up a beloved episode of Octonauts, and not 2 minutes later, Red had swiped, clicked and watched his way to a whole other topic, genre and type of video. Thankfully, it was only the toy collector videos that are springing up everywhere (I just don’t get the appeal there…) but a few clicks more and some seedy content could be close. Or even content that’s just too mature for my 4-year-old.
So what’s a mom to do? How do you let your kids browse online videos? Sure, there are some parental controls and kid-centric areas, but from what I’ve experienced, any child that can read can break that parental lock (translating words into their arabic number counterparts). That’s not very parent-y. Some very seedy content has been creeping it’s way into that platform, too. USA had a story on that here. Yikes!
Pre-Screened Alternatives
The other alternative is something like KidKam. It’s a community of teachers and pediatricians who empower parents to regain control over how their kids watch videos online. These experts are paid to handpick and screen high quality and educational videos from around the web and put them into a safe, kid friendly portal. That means every video that comes onto KidKam has been previewed, AND approved. No seedy content. And the related videos? Actually related.
When Red tested out the FREE website, I had previously tried it myself, bookmarking several marine videos about animals. When he took a look, he was enthralled with the choices, and I was thrilled that the related videos that kept coming up were always safe, always related and pre-screened. Yes, there are plenty of those toy un-boxings, music videos, and even puppetry along with educational videos, but it makes me feel a whole-heck of a lot safer about handing my child a piece of tech. And I’m big on choosing the right level of internet safety for your family!!
One thing I wish KidKam had is an all-inclusive app. The website access works on the iPad, but with so many clickable options, my son gets overwhelmed and expects it to behave like and app, but it doesn’t; it scrolls and behaves like a website. With over 60% of internet users being on a mobile device, I hope they develop an app quickly!
I’d love to try this app. I’ve been pretty lucky that we haven’t ventured into unsafe online content but I think it’s going to be great for my little one. We protected the big one from technology more but the little one gets exposed from his brother as well.
This is definitely a cool idea, but I agree with you, I think an app is totally the way to go! hopefully, it’s in the works!
I love using kidkam in my classroom both for educational things and fun brain breaks. I agree an app would be wonderful!
Sounds like a great option!
Hello,
My child watches pg shows and I would like to keep it that way.
Great giveaway!