YouTube To Launch Kids App
By Edward Cardenas
SOUTHFIELD (CBS Detroit) - YouTube will announce Monday the launch of a standalone kids app at the Kidscreen Summit in Miami.
Malik Ducard, YouTube head of global family and learning, will announce the new app during his keynote speech at the summit.
The new app, which is designed for children, will feature age-appropriate videos and channels, according to a blog post on KidScreen website. Much of this content is already on YouTube, the post stated, and will be organized into four categories on the app: shows, music, learning and explore.
"At a time when a child's access to media can be overwhelming and filled with empty calories, I'm excited that YouTube Kids is making this commitment to give families a safe environment to spark curiosity while still entertaining," said LeVar Burton, who is creating a new series for the app. "Reading Rainbow and I are proud to have been asked by YouTube to celebrate the launch of YouTube Kids with the debut of an exclusive original series we're creating called "uTech" that explores the technology our next generation will have as an ever-present part of their lives."
The announcement will come during the annual kids entertainment industry event which attracted 1,700 attendees last year.
YouTube's Kids app will initially be only available for Android mobile devices, but will expand to other platforms.
Videos posted on the new app will come from entertainment and education sources including Sesame Workshop, Jim Henson TV, DreamWorks along with new content from beloved YouTubers like the Vlogbrothers and Stampylonghead.
In addition to offering a mix of entertainment and education videos, the app will offer the ability to search for topics along with parental controls.
"YouTube Kids provides parents with a simple solution to manage both the amount time their child views online media and the type of content," stated Marsali Hancock, President and CEO of The Internet Keep Safe Coalition and mother of six children. "YouTube Kids will provide a platform for user-generated content that is inspiring, engaging and entertaining for children."
This report was updated at 2:55 p.m. Friday.