Microsoft is launching a new Kids Mode for its Edge browser on Apr. 15. It is built directly onto Microsoft Edge, Windows, and macOS as a free option that is simple to enable and does not require much work for parents to manage.
The mode can be enabled by selecting it from the Edge profile option, and it will lock kids into the Edge browser with access only to several approved sites.
Microsoft Edge Kids Mode
Divya Kumar, the product director of Microsoft Edge, stated that the Microsoft Edge Kids Mode is a free, protected online environment for children 12 and under that gives parents peace of mind when their children browse the web on a shared device.
Microsoft designed this Kids Mode around the scenario where parents might hand a laptop or a table over to a child to let them browse the web, according to CNET.
Once you trigger Kids Mode, there is an option to select the age bracket, from 5 to 8-years-old or 9 to 12-years-old.
Both age ranges include the highest level of tracking prevention in Microsoft Edge and strict Bing SafeSearch to filter out adult text, images, and videos from searchers.
Microsoft added 70 popular kids sites on an automatic allow list, but parents will have to individually add any additional sites on top of the list, according to MSPoweruser.
The special mode restricts popular Window keyboard shortcuts from working to prevent children from exiting out, but the same shortcut restrictions are not in place on macOS.
Once Kids Mode is enabled, an adult will have to input their Windows or macOS credentials to exit out and switch back to their normal browsing.
If a child attempts to view a site that is not on the list, there is a block page where they can ask for permission from the adult.
As this is privacy-focused and localized to the device, the Kids Mode does not require a Microsoft Account, nor will it sync your list of approved websites across devices.
Unfortunately, that means you will have to set up numerous lists if you have more than one shared PC or laptop, as per Yahoo News.
The higher age range, from 9 to 12-years-old, includes a news feed on the new tab page in Kids Mode, with curated articles from MSN for children.
This won't be current news, or the chance for your child to delve into politics at a young age, as the topics will be more focused on fun facts, science, and animals instead of the latest on the pandemic or politics.
As soon as the Kids Mode is enabled, there are also options to customize the themes, the colors, and even the tab background.
Microsoft has even partnered up with with Disney and Pixar to offer special themes like Finding Nemo, The Little Mermaid, and many more.
Microsoft's kids feature
Microsoft sees this new feature as a game-changer for parents, and the simplicity and ease of use is refreshing.
Kumar stated that when they looked at the other content filtering and control offerings on the market, they found that most of them require a very lengthy sign-up process or a subscription, and generally do not offer anything lightweight or catered for children.
Microsoft's Kids Mode is available in Microsoft Edge on Apr. 15 for both Windows and macOS. However, this feature is only available for US users as of now.
This article is owned by Tech Times
Written by Sieeka Khan
