The standalone YouTube Kids TV app is shutting down, but it is not exactly going away, as the experience will continue onto the platform's main client across smart televisions. The main YouTube app on these TVs would feature the YouTube Kids experience, now under a unified experience, allowing Google to offer both services under one app platform.
Through this feature, Google no longer has to continue its development of the standalone YouTube Kids TV app and have it immediately available to devices with the main client installed.
YouTube Kids TV App is Shutting Down in July
Google announced via its latest support document that YouTube Kids TV's app will shut down in July 2024, and this will usher in a new era for the platform as it joins the main app for its access. Instead of venturing to a separate app to lead children to this viewing experience, the main YouTube client will now feature this other, more age-appropriate side of the platform.
This will apply to all of the YouTube app's available platforms, including the smart TV, streaming devices (like Roku, Fire Stick, Chromecast, etc.), and game consoles.
Google did not mention any changes for Android or iOS, and it is most likely staying the same for now, having separate apps for this access. According to 9to5Google, this move unifies the experience and would make it easier for the internet company to maintain a single client.
YouTube's TV App Gets Unified Like Netflix
In this integration with the main client, YouTube Kids TV would join the main YouTube app on the said platforms above, and accessing it would be like how the Kids profile is available on Netflix.
Opening the YouTube app would ask users "Who's Watching," and this will present the different profiles, including the kids' profiles. Google said that signing in with the same account for the YouTube Kids platform would help apply the previous settings and preferences to the access.
Alternatively, parents may let their kids watch on the specific children-appropriate profile via a Guest Account.
YouTube Kids and What It Has to Offer
The YouTube Kids app has been available since 2018, and for six years, it has offered a platform for children to get the best algorithm, allowing parents to have peace of mind whenever their child accesses the platform. Through this app, the mature, adult, and raw content of YouTube would not be available for the children, with parents having control over their experience.
Google once rolled out new guidelines for YouTube Kids to only feature the best quality on the platform, incentivizing those with crystal clear uploads to boost more of the platform.
However, Google decided that YouTube Kids should no longer be a standalone app for the smart TV platforms since last year, and in 2024, it would go into full effect. Coming later this year, YouTube Kids TV's standalone app will shut down and join the main YouTube client, featuring Netflix-style access where the profile selection page would lead parents and kids to the experience.
