If your children are anything like mine, their favourite thing to do when they get their hands on a mobile device is to load up YouTube and watch videos. It doesn’t even really matter what the content of the video is –which is part of the problem. YouTube is filled with entertainment, from cartoon clips to cute cats to music videos to a few dozen categories that are less than appropriate for kids to watch. Even if you set them on the right course, being able to follow ‘recommended video’ paths can quickly move you from good content to bad. Thankfully, HomeTube can help!
HomeTube is free to download for your Android device, giving you the ability to let your children navigate from video to video on their whim (while only being presented with kid-friendly options). If you would like to customize the app and create your own video playlists, a one-time $0.99 in-app purchase will unlock the full features of the app.
If you choose, HomeTube can also take over the logged in account as a home screen replacement. This means you can create a profile for your child that lets them watch videos without having access to any other apps (like your email). Using HomePage doesn’t guarantee a fully locked-down system, tech-proficient older children may still be able to break out of the app –something those of us in the industry describe as ‘security through obscurity’.
Jillian Koskie is an experienced software developer, content writer, project manager and usability design expert. With over 17 years in these roles, Jillian has enjoyed applying her skill-set to assist clients and users across a wide variety of sectors including: legal, health, and financial services. Combining these professional opportunities with a love of technology, Jillian is pleased to contribute articles, opinions, and advice to numerous news outlets, websites, and publications.