Microsoft starts testing Kids Mode for Microsoft Edge

Edge Dev Hero 2020 Newfeature
Edge Dev Hero 2020 Newfeature (Image credit: Future)

What you need to know

  • Microsoft is rolling Kids Mode to Edge Insiders in the Dev and Canary channels.
  • Kids Mode has SafeSearch on, sets tracking prevention to Strict, and has other features for protecting children.
  • KidsMode doesn't require a family group, so it can be used easily on a shared PC.

Kids Mode has custom browser themes and child-friendly articles to help children safely browse the web. It also has Bing SafeSearch on and sets tracking prevention to strict. Microsoft designed Kids Mode with children ages 5-12 in mind.

Kids Mode can be launched through the profile picker in Edge. It doesn't require a child account, so it should be easy to set up and use, even if you're on a shared PC. Leaving Kids Mode requires a password to exit. With a password, you can also grant exceptions while browsing. For example, if your child wants to visit a site that you know is child-friendly, but it gets blocked by Kids Mode, you can grant access to it.

Parents can choose which sites their children can access. It has an "allow list" that parents can use to adjust the browsing experience. The allow list should result in some granular control of Kids Mode, which is nice because parents may want to adjust the mode as children mature.

Microsoft plans to add more features and functions to Kids Mode over time. Right now, it's rolling out to Insiders, so it should be shaped by the feedback Microsoft receives.

Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

Sean Endicott is a news writer and apps editor for Windows Central with 11+ years of experience. A Nottingham Trent journalism graduate, Sean has covered the industry’s arc from the Lumia era to the launch of Windows 11 and generative AI. Having started at Thrifter, he uses his expertise in price tracking to help readers find genuine hardware value.

Beyond tech news, Sean is a UK sports media pioneer. In 2017, he became one of the first to stream via smartphone and is an expert in AP Capture systems. A tech-forward coach, he was named 2024 BAFA Youth Coach of the Year. He is focused on using technology—from AI to Clipchamp—to gain a practical edge.