Google is bringing a host of new kid-centric features to Google TV, such as parent-controlled watch lists and artificial intelligence-based content suggestions, the latest in a series of efforts by the Android developer as it tries to expand what its TV operating system offers for home consumption.
The company says it is adding these features to the content profiles that kids can see to improve content recommendations and exploration. In a blog post, the company explained that parents can push titles from their profiles directly to their kids’ “must-see” lists (just click the watch list button on the title they come across and press add).
The company has also introduced AI-driven recommendations for kids, who can now view popular shows and movies on their Google TV home screen based on installed apps and parent-defined rating levels. If they don’t like what’s been recommended to them and don’t want to see it anymore, they can press and hold the select button and then click “hide” to remove the recommendation from the list.
These new additions are part of Google’s ongoing efforts to make its service more kid-friendly. Google introduced supervised accounts for YouTube last year to help children migrate from YouTube Kids to the main YouTube app in a safe way.
This feature also allows parents to place restrictions on content exploration, comments or video creation. It allows guardians to define three levels of access.” Explore” for viewers ages 9 and up; “More Explore” for viewers ages 13 and up; and “Most YouTube” for access to all videos, regardless of age-restricted content.
The search giant said it will also bring this supervised experience to Google TV so kids can access the main YouTube app with appropriate content restrictions. Notably, when parents set up these supervised accounts, they consent to the collection and use of data collected from children’s profiles to comply with COPPA – the U.S. privacy law that imposes restrictions on sites that provide services to children.
The company first introduced Kids Profiles on Google TV last year, allowing parents to place restrictions on app access and screen time.
Google said these features are rolling out starting today on Chromecast with Google TV (both 4K and HD versions) and other Google TV devices from manufacturers such as Hisense, Philips, Sony and TCL.
