Google Wants To Babysit

Google knows how hard it is to raise kids in the digital age. Parents want a way to filter out content that is safe for their kids. Now, according to multiple sources (Mashable for example), Google plans to come to the rescue with a kid friendly version of YouTube. There are already certain safe filters for YouTube, but these still let in unwanted ads and other questionable content.  This new platform (a “KidTube”) would be a “trusted” place where parents can confidently let their kids veg out for hours on end with content selected for kids under 10.

An Unwelcome House-guest

Parent are attentive to the friends their kids have, the kind of school they go to, what movies and music they listen to, and all the other things that forms the minds and hearts of children. Now the internet is everywhere. All the good and bad of the world comes into your house through a little screen: TV, computer, phone, and even WiFi enabled toys. The open nature of the internet makes it harder and harder to filter that comes into your home.

When the internet was just words, there was not much interest for younger kids. Now, the game has changed with a saturation of multimedia. Will Google help to solve this problem?

The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

“KidTube” is not just one sided. On one hand, it can be argued that Google is doing a service to help protect kids. Isn’t this a good thing to offer an alternative? “Kids are going to use YouTube anyway. At least now a ‘KidTube’ would be safer.”

On the other hand, it could also be seen as an effort to target young kids and get them hooked into the Google revenue machine at a younger age.

There are also a lot of questions this raises: Who is going to curate this “kid’s content” and who get’s to decide what is suitable for my children? How many parents will opt for ease and leave the responsibility of filtering content totally in the hands of Uncle Google?

What do you think? Share your thoughts on the good, the bad, and ugly of KidTube.