FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Everything parents ask about the YouTube channel whitelist, pricing, setup, and how Kivvie handles data. Can't find your answer? Reach us through the support page.
?How is Kivvie different from YouTube Kids?
YouTube Kids runs an algorithm over a pre-selected library, but stuff still slips through. Kivvie works the other way around: it starts empty. Nothing shows up until you approve specific channels. You can add any public YouTube channel, and each kid gets their own list. There are also no Shorts and no algorithmic recommendations, so kids only see full-length videos from channels you've picked.
?How do I get started?
About 2 minutes. Start on the website: sign in with Google on the web dashboard, create a profile for each kid, and approve their channels. We never see your password. Then grab the mobile app on iOS or Android, sign in with the same account, and hand it over. They'll only see what you've approved. Prefer not to sign in on the kid's device? Generate a setup code from the Profiles page and enter it in the app instead. The support page is there if you get stuck.
?Does Kivvie work on Family Link or Screen Time supervised devices?
Yes. Supervised devices normally block a parent Google sign-in, which locks parents out of most YouTube apps. Kivvie gets around this with a setup code: generate a code from the Profiles page on the dashboard, enter it in the app on your child's device, and it pairs to their profile with no Google account needed on that device. The paired device is view-only, so all management stays with you on the dashboard.
?What channels can I approve?
Any public YouTube channel. Khan Academy Kids, Bluey, Numberblocks, random hobby channels your kid is into. If it's on YouTube, you can add it. There's no pre-approved library. You search YouTube from the parent dashboard and approve what you want. Each kid's profile has its own list.
?Can I set different channels for different kids?
Yes. Each child profile has its own separate channel list. So your 10-year-old gets science and documentary channels while your 5-year-old only sees Sesame Street and StoryBots. You manage everything from one dashboard, and changes sync to the app right away. The free plan includes 1 profile -- paid plans give you unlimited.
?Are YouTube Shorts and comments shown?
No. Shorts are gone. Not hidden behind a toggle, just not there. Comments are off too. Kids see full-length videos from your approved channels, with no recommendations and no autoplay pulling them somewhere else. We did this on purpose. A 2023 JAMA Pediatrics study linked short-form video to reduced attention spans in children, and we didn't want any of that in the app.
?Is Kivvie free?
Free plan gets you 1 child and 5 channels, no card. Paid plans start at $4.99/month for unlimited kids and channels. There's yearly and lifetime pricing too. Download the app from the App Store or Google Play. To upgrade, head to kivvie.app.
?Is my data safe?
Data is encrypted in transit and at rest. We don't sell or share your information and we don't show ads. Watch history and duration may be collected so you can see what your kids watched in the parent dashboard, but it's never used for algorithms, ads, or shared with anyone. Kivvie is COPPA compliant. You can review, export, or delete your data whenever you want. The full details are in our Privacy Policy.
?Do I need technical knowledge to set this up?
Nope. Sign in with Google, create a child profile, search for channels. That's it. The dashboard at kivvie.app walks you through it, and most people are done in under 2 minutes. The support page has step-by-step instructions if you need them.
?What devices does Kivvie work on?
You manage everything from kivvie.app, which works in any browser on any device. Kids watch on the mobile app, available on both iOS and Android. Changes you make on the dashboard sync to the app right away.
?What are channel packs?
Channel packs are bundles of YouTube channels grouped by age, interest, or subject -- like Learning, STEM, Creative, or Entertainment. Instead of adding channels one by one, you install a pack and your child's profile gets a bunch of parent-recommended channels at once. They're community-recommended, not sponsored. You can remove individual channels after installing a pack.
?How does Kivvie keep kids safe from inappropriate content?
Filters try to block bad content, but things always slip through. Kivvie skips that entirely. The app starts empty and only shows videos from channels you've specifically approved. There are no Shorts, no comments, no recommendations, and no way for kids to wander outside their channel list. If you didn't approve it, they can't see it.
?Does YouTube have its own parental controls?
Yes, YouTube has several: Restricted Mode filters some mature content, YouTube Kids offers a filtered library for young children, and Family Link/Supervised Experience lets a parent approve individual channels inside the regular YouTube app. None of them remove Shorts, comments, or recommendations the way a whitelist-only player does. See our full breakdown of YouTube's built-in controls.
?Can Kivvie block specific YouTube channels instead of only allowing a list?
Kivvie uses a whitelist model: you approve the channels your child can see, and everything else is blocked automatically. There is no separate blacklist step because nothing is visible until it's approved. If you're looking for how blocking versus whitelisting compares, see how to block YouTube channels for kids.
?How much does Kivvie cost?
Free forever for 1 child profile and 5 approved channels, no credit card required. Paid plans unlock unlimited children and channels: $4.99/month, $49/year, or $99 once for lifetime access, priced in USD, EUR, AUD, or INR. See the full pricing page for details.
?Is there a free trial or is the free plan permanent?
The free plan is not a time-limited trial. It stays free for as long as you use it, with 1 child profile and 5 approved channels. Upgrade only when you need more children or more channels.
?Does Kivvie work on Chromebook or a computer browser?
The parent dashboard works in any browser, including on a Chromebook. The child viewing app itself is a native iOS and Android app; there is currently no dedicated Chromebook or browser extension for the child experience.
?Can I cancel or change my plan at any time?
Yes. You can upgrade, downgrade, or cancel from the subscription page at any time. Lifetime plans are a one-time payment with nothing to cancel.
Still have a question?
Set up Kivvie in about 2 minutes, free, no credit card. Or reach us through support if something is still unclear.