‘I can’t believe Google has done this’ YouTube users cry as app starts to disappear from TVs

THE YouTube Kids app, which only streams age-appropriate content, is vanishing from TV screens worldwide.

While the children’s app is not permanently shutting down, parents are unhappy with the move.

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Instead of existing as a standalone, the Kids app is being combined with the main YouTube platform.

The merger is due to start globally in July.

It has already disappeared on some platforms, such as Sky in the UK.

From July onwards, kid-safe Vlogs and channels will be found inside the Google-owned YouTube app.

But parents say the move risks their kids watching inappropriate content.

“Switched on this morning and the YouTube Kids app has disappeared from Sky Q,” one parent wrote in a help forum on Sky’s website.

“The only way we can get to it now is by going in to normal YouTube and [choosing a] kids profile.

“But that’s not good as it means child might choose an adult profile in there.”

Another parent added: “For now this means my child cant access YouTube Kids on the TV, as it means they have access to the main YouTube account.

“I can’t believe (or maybe I should) that Google has done this.”

Child controls

YouTube has a raft of controls that can be put in place to stop children watching age-inappropriate content.

“Every family has a different approach to using technology, exploring online and setting digital ground rules,” the company writes on its parental controls page.

“That’s why we offer options and controls for parents and caregivers to help them decide which YouTube experience is best for their family.”

Create a supervised Google Account for YouTube

This is one way to manage your child’s YouTube usage.

With a supervised account, parents can select a content setting that limits the videos, music and channel that children under the age of 13 can find and watch.

Supervised accounts also allow parents to change the features kids can use, the default account settings and the ads they see.

Choose a content level based on your kid’s age

With supervised accounts, parents can select a preferred experience for three different age tiers: 4 and under, 5-8, or 9-12.