I have struggled for ages now trying to find applications for my child to use that have right amount of parental controls. A big part of BibleWoolies’ philosophy has been digital safety for kids. There is so much amazing content out there for our kids to discover, AND it can be all too easy for them to end up in inappropriate spaces when online.
Screen Time and Parental Control settings only get us so far. We also need developers who prioritize children’s safety. That said, I want to shout-out Jared Henderson, who developed my all-time favourite podcast app for kids: Gertrude Podcasts (formerly Gertrude AM).
A couple things I love…
Searching and subscribing to podcasts is password protected. This means my child (7yo) can open the app and choose what she wants to listen to without the worry she will receive ads for inappropriate podcasts or add shows without supervision. I like this balance of independence with safety, especially as my sound-sensitive child finds podcasts helpful for decompression time.
You can choose whether to allow the podcast art (cover images) or not for the shows you subscribe to. Sometimes there is a great podcast but the cover art is just a bit too edgy for your kid. Or, they have an irrational fear of bees. It’s been known to happen.
You can add podcasts by searching OR by using a subscription link. This has been a real point of contention for me. There are a couple of podcasts we support as a family, both because we love the work they are doing, and because I don’t love how much my kid started parroting the ads from her bedtime podcasts. But, I get it. Content creators need to eat! However, some podcast apps for kids requires you pay for a general subscription through the app. I would rather support creators directly. Having the option of adding shows by a direct link gives me the freedom to do that.
The podcast uses auto-play. Admittedly, some folks might see this as a con, but it is perfect for bedtime listening in our house. Because this is not a toggle-able feature right now, you will want to use a timer if you need to limit listening time.
The price. Gertrude Podcasts is only $10 USD a year, which is a fantastic price compared to its competitors. Jared also offers a 30-day free trial so you can be sure the app works for your family before subscribing.