In a move that reflects YouTube’s continued commitment to evolving its ecosystem of apps, the YouTube Kids mobile app is undergoing a significant redesign, one that aligns it more closely with the standard YouTube experience. For the first time, the app will also support portrait mode viewing, an exciting feature that makes it more accessible for users of all ages. This redesign is expected to be available over the next few weeks on both iOS and Android platforms, while the web and smart TV versions of the app will remain unchanged for the time being.
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The Evolution of YouTube Kids
Launched nearly a decade ago, YouTube Kids has served as a safer, kid-friendly version of YouTube. Its goal has always been to provide a space where children can watch videos without being exposed to inappropriate content, a challenge that continues to plague the broader internet. However, the app’s design has remained largely static since its last significant overhaul in 2017. YouTube’s decision to push out this redesign represents a response to both technological advancements and evolving user expectations.
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This major update signals a shift away from the app’s previous, somewhat childish aesthetic, opting for a more modern, clean look inspired by YouTube’s main app. It also reflects the growing trend of apps converging in design, with many mobile platforms increasingly adopting similar layouts and features across different services.
A Streamlined, User-Friendly Interface
One of the most notable changes is the app’s new interface, which bears a striking resemblance to the layout of the main YouTube app. The design now feels more mature and intuitive, with a series of design elements borrowed from YouTube’s recent visual updates.
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At the top of the new YouTube Kids interface, users will notice a redesigned carousel, offering easy access to content filters. These filters are now clearly labeled, making it easier for both children and parents to navigate the platform. Content is categorized by topics such as “Gaming,” “Shows,” “Music,” and “Explore,” the latter of which highlights educational videos. These categories will now occupy a smaller amount of horizontal space, giving the app a cleaner and more organized feel.
In addition to the revamped carousel, shortcuts for essential features—such as Home, Search, and Profile—have been relocated to a new navigation bar positioned at the bottom of the screen. This bottom navigation bar is a familiar feature for users of the main YouTube app, creating a seamless transition between the two platforms. The app will also feature a new “Your Stuff” page, which will allow kids and parents to easily access content that has been downloaded, previously watched, or shared.
This redesign also enhances the overall navigation experience. The most important functions are now accessible from one place, making the app more intuitive for both children and parents. Parental controls and other settings remain in dedicated views, with easy-to-access shortcuts always available in the upper right corner of the screen, next to the Cast button.
Portrait Mode: A New Way to Browse
Arguably the most exciting feature of this redesign is the introduction of portrait mode support. Until now, YouTube Kids could only be used in landscape mode, which was more restrictive for younger children who are used to holding devices vertically. This change reflects a broader trend of making apps more versatile and user-friendly, catering to the varied ways that children engage with mobile devices.
The inclusion of portrait mode will allow kids to hold their devices in a way that feels more natural, especially when using the app on a phone or tablet. This update also improves the overall flexibility of the app, making it more accessible for users across a wide range of devices and orientations.
Keeping It Safe: Parental Controls
Despite the visual and functional changes, YouTube remains deeply committed to keeping YouTube Kids a safe place for children to explore content. The app’s parental controls and safety features continue to be a central component of the experience. Parents can still set time limits, monitor viewing history, and block certain content, ensuring that the videos children watch are appropriate for their age.
The updated interface makes it even easier for parents to adjust these settings. With shortcuts for parental controls now always accessible in the upper-right corner, managing the app’s features will be more convenient than ever. These features will help maintain YouTube Kids’ reputation as a family-friendly alternative to the main YouTube platform.
A Reflection of Broader Trends in App Design
The redesign of YouTube Kids isn’t just about making the app look better. It also reflects broader trends in app design, particularly the blending of experiences across different platforms. More than ever, users are looking for consistency and simplicity in their digital interactions. By aligning the YouTube Kids app with the main YouTube app, Google is ensuring that users have a consistent experience across its various platforms, regardless of age.
The redesign also comes at a time when the internet’s approach to children’s content is evolving. With growing concerns about the impact of screen time, the internet, and social media on young minds, platforms like YouTube are being forced to rethink how they engage with younger audiences. The YouTube Kids redesign might not only make the app more user-friendly, but it may also help address some of these concerns by ensuring that the interface is more intuitive and easier to control.
What’s Next for YouTube Kids?
As YouTube Kids continues to grow and evolve, it will likely continue to refine its design and user experience based on feedback from both kids and parents. The introduction of portrait mode is just one example of how the platform is adapting to changing user behaviors. We can expect future updates to continue the trend of simplifying navigation and increasing functionality, making the app even more versatile and enjoyable to use.
One potential future feature could be a greater emphasis on educational content. While YouTube Kids already offers a substantial amount of educational material, there is room for even more targeted recommendations and deeper integration with Google’s educational initiatives. As the world of online learning expands, YouTube Kids could play a more prominent role in shaping how children learn from digital media.
Another possibility is further integration with Google’s other services, such as Google Classroom or YouTube Learning. This could create a more cohesive experience for children and parents, combining entertainment and education in a way that is easy to navigate and personalized to the child’s needs.
Looking Ahead: YouTube Kids’ Future and Its Role in Digital Education
YouTube Kids’ redesign is more than just a cosmetic update; it’s a significant step forward in aligning the app with its parent platform while keeping the needs of children and their parents front and center. With its improved interface, portrait mode support, and streamlined navigation, the app promises to offer a more enjoyable and accessible experience for younger users. As the app evolves, YouTube Kids may continue to become an even more powerful tool for safe, educational entertainment.
By keeping the balance between fun and safety, YouTube Kids is setting the stage for a new era of family-friendly content. Parents can feel confident in allowing their children to explore a world of videos, knowing that it is designed with their needs in mind and built to ensure that the experience is both enriching and secure.
