Exciting news for parents! The popular YouTube Kids app is now available for download on all Amazon Firestick and Fire TV devices. This free app provides a safer and more engaging video experience designed just for children.
In this guide, I‘ll walk you through everything you need to know about installing YouTube Kids on your Firestick or Fire TV. You‘ll also learn about the app‘s standout features for kids, tips to customize the settings, and how to ensure your children view appropriate content.
A Quick and Easy Installation Process
Getting YouTube Kids set up on your Firestick or Fire TV is simple and straightforward. Just follow these steps:
-
From the home screen of your Firestick or Fire TV, select the "Finder" icon to search apps.
-
In the search bar, type in "YouTube Kids" and select the official app. Double check that the logo matches the image below:
[Insert YouTube Kids logo] -
Choose "Get" to begin downloading YouTube Kids. This works the same whether you have a Firestick, Fire TV Cube, or any other model.
-
Once prompted, click "Got it" to acknowledge the app‘s permissions to access certain features like mobile data and identity.
-
Be patient as the app downloads and installs. This usually only takes a minute or two.
-
After you see the "Open" option, tap it to launch YouTube Kids!
And that‘s all it takes to get YouTube Kids ready for your kids to start streaming videos. Installation is quick no matter if you have the 4K Firestick, Fire TV Stick Lite, or even older generation models.
Now let‘s look at what makes this version of YouTube tailored for children.
What Makes YouTube Kids Unique?
YouTube Kids provides a video experience designed specifically with young audiences in mind. It aims to make streaming fun, educational, and most importantly – safe.
Here are some of the key features that set YouTube Kids apart:
-
Three age categories – Videos are filtered into Preschool (ages 4 & under), Younger (ages 5-7), and Older (ages 8-12). This segmentation ensures content is appropriate.
-
Individual profiles – You can create customized profiles for each child that delivers video suggestions based on their personal preferences and past viewing history.
-
Powerful filters – Advanced algorithms only allow videos reviewed as child-friendly into the app. Machine learning improves these filters over time.
-
Curated content – Actual people review every video in the app to ensure it is suitable for children.
-
Parental controls – Adjust settings like disabling search, limiting screen time, and blocking videos or channels you don‘t want your child to access.
-
No ads – Provides a 100% ad-free viewing experience to maintain a distraction-free environment.
YouTube designed this app from the ground up with kids‘ best interests in mind. With over 5 million downloads on the Google Play Store alone, it‘s clear YouTube Kids offers something special for families.
Setting Parental Controls and Customizing the App
One of the great things about YouTube Kids is the extensive parental control settings. Here are some ways you can tailor the app experience:
-
Set watch time limits – Prevent endless scrolling by limiting how long your child can access YouTube Kids each day. Maybe start with 30 minutes for a 4-year old.
-
Disable search – Only show videos based on recommendations versus what children search for. Great for avoiding inappropriate content.
-
Switch age categories – Change the age group (Preschool, Younger, Older) to dial in age-appropriate content.
-
Block channels – Remove specific channels you don‘t want your child accessing in the app.
-
Disable autoplay – Prevents videos from playing continuously one after another.
-
Whitelist channels – Only allow videos from pre-approved channels you select.
-
Enable collections – Curate playlists around topics like learning or entertainment.
Take the time to evaluate and adjust these parental controls based on your child‘s maturity level and your comfort with the content. For example, disabling search is likely a smart move for young kids prone to wander into unsuitable videos.
You can also dig into the settings to toggle data usage and notifications. Enable "Disable Watch History" if you don‘t want videos shaping recommendations.
Additional Tips for Parents
Here are a few more pointers to create the best YouTube Kids experience for your family:
-
Preview videos before showing them to your child. While content is filtered, nothing is 100% foolproof. Skim through to verify it aligns with your family‘s values.
-
Co-view with your kids and interact about the video. Ask them questions so it‘s not just passive watching.
-
Set time limits based on age. For example, 30 minutes a day for preschoolers and an hour for older kids.
-
Disable autoplay after an episode or two. This prevents kids from endlessly watching without checks.
-
Explore the app yourself before handing to your kids. Customize parental controls and whitelist channels relevant for your children.
-
Check settings regularly as your child matures. You may want to enable search or allow more time as they get older.
With a little bit of hands-on guidance, you can mold YouTube Kids into the perfect video platform for your family‘s needs. Take charge of the settings!
An Essential App for Families
Having YouTube Kids available on Firestick and Fire TVs removes any friction to access safe, engaging video content for children. With robust filters, tailored profiles, and extensive parental controls, kids can safely explore their interests and passions.
The app provides entertainment, fosters learning, and promotes creativity for young audiences. And it gives parents peace of mind thanks to advanced algorithms and human reviews that weed out inappropriate content.
I hope this guide has equipped you to confidently install YouTube Kids and configure the best settings for your family. Let me know if you have any other questions! I‘m also happy to provide recommendations on other helpful apps for parents.
