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.
Microsoft announced Kids Mode for its Edge browser today. The mode has several features for protecting children while they browse the web. Kids Mode is currently rolling out to Edge Insiders on the Dev and Canary channels. Microsoft's Edge Insider homepage will share more about Kids Mode today.
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 is the news writer for Windows Central. If it runs Windows, is made by Microsoft, or has anything to do with either, he's on it. Sean's been with Windows Central since 2017 and is also our resident app expert. If you have a news tip or an app to review, hit him up at sean.endicott@futurenet.com.
