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🧸 Early learning (ages 2-6) · 🛡️ Parental controls and family safety

YouTube Kids (and supervised YouTube)

By Google. Visit YouTube Kids (and supervised YouTube)

Desk research from the maker's own pages. Not yet tried by us. Checked 2026-10-24.

A separate YouTube app for children with filtered videos, set by a parent to Preschool, Younger or Older content, or to only videos and channels the parent approves. Parents can block channels, turn off search, set a timer, and see watch history. For older kids, a parent can instead set up a supervised YouTube account with content levels. Kids mostly watch and search; there are no comments or uploads in YouTube Kids.

Our take: Safer than main YouTube for young kids, best in approved-content-only mode; not a babysitter.

The facts
Ages it suitspreschool through tweens
What its terms say about ageYouTube's terms say you must be 13 to use YouTube, but children of any age may use YouTube Kids (and supervised YouTube) if a parent or legal guardian enables it. (terms)
PriceFree. Free with ads (Oct 2026).
Works oniPhone and iPad, Android, Web
AccountA parent's account
AdsYes
In-app purchasesNone
The AI in itAutomated systems filter videos and recommend content based on what the child watches; no chatbot.

What's good

  • Approved-content-only mode
  • Search can be turned off
  • Built-in timer
  • No comments or uploads

Watch for

  • Shows ads, including branded content
  • Filters can miss unsuitable videos
  • Autoplay recommendations keep kids watching
  • Past $170M COPPA settlement for YouTube

Data and privacy

YouTube Kids collects videos watched, searches and device identifiers to recommend videos and show contextual ads; it says it does not allow interest-based ads or remarketing. Voice search audio is processed and then deleted. It does not collect a child's name or address. Read the privacy policy.

Does it work?

In 2019 Google and YouTube paid a record $170 million to settle FTC and New York charges that YouTube collected data from viewers of child-directed channels to target ads without parental consent.

In the Big Index

Alternatives to YouTube Kids (and supervised YouTube)

  • Desk researchPaid

    Amazon Kids Tablets (and Fire Kids tablets)

    Amazon · ages 3+ and 6+ versions

    A reasonable first tablet if you want Amazon's controls plus real Android apps; families who want a tightly closed device may prefer a device without the Play Store.

  • Desk researchPaidNo ads

    Amazon Kids+ and Parent Dashboard

    Amazon · ages 3-12

    A good-value bundle for families already on Amazon devices with kids 3-12; skip it if your child mostly uses an iPad or a phone.

  • Desk researchFreeNo ads

    Apple Messages and FaceTime (Communication Safety)

    Apple · ages any age with a parent-made child account; teens 13-17

    Worth turning on for any child with an iPhone or iPad; pair it with contact limits for younger kids.

  • Desk researchFreeNo ads

    Apple Screen Time

    Apple · ages any age under 18

    The first stop for any family whose child uses an iPhone or iPad; it does nothing on Android or Windows.

  • Desk researchPaidNo ads

    Apple Watch For Your Kids

    Apple · ages kids who don't have their own iPhone; no set age

    Good for iPhone families who want a phone alternative with strong contact controls; cheaper kids' watches exist if you only need calls and location.

  • Desk researchPaidNo ads

    Aura Parental Controls

    Aura · ages kids and teens

    Makes sense for families who already want Aura's identity protection; those who only need screen time limits can use free built-in tools.

Every product in early learning (ages 2-6) →

Where these facts come from

Prices, terms and features change. Nobody paid to be listed, nothing here is an affiliate link, and Peabody never rates itself. Where we and the maker disagree, the maker's own pages are the ones to trust.