Kids App Review was founded by kids gaming and marketing veterans to give parents a place to learn more about the countless kids’ apps available today.
We know that making the decision on which apps are right for your child can be difficult. While many apps appear great for kids on the surface, we know that many lack substance and in some cases lean heavily on addictive mechanisms to keep kids playing and buying more.
With so many apps requiring an upfront purchase, it can be hard to know which are the right ones to spend money on. Is that featured educational app really that educational? What about the game your child keeps clamoring about – is it safe? Will you hear a never-ending demand for in-app purchases?
We’ve paid for and played every app featured on Kids App Review so you don’t have to. Our industry veterans not only evaluate the content but also check for predatory practices like sharing your child’s information or exposing them to unsafe content.
You may be thinking, doesn’t the app store review all that content? Why would an app for kids be featured if it’s not safe?
The reality is that trillion-dollar companies like Apple or Google will always put the bottom line over your kids’ development. While they are forced to check for some child privacy and safety protections, many apps are able to still get their apps approved. Having worked in the game design industry we know a lot of the tricks app builder employ, especially when it comes to in-app advertising, player communications, and more. Our in-depth analysis ensures that you’ll know exactly what’s happening once you install that new app or game.
Review Methodology
We’ve developed a list of criteria for each of our rating categories. Each app is rated against these criteria and parents can also add their own overall rating.
Value
Many kids’ apps today require an upfront payment or a subscription. Our team evaluates if the cost is appropriate for the content. What value does the payment bring compared to similar apps that are free? Is an app updated frequently enough to warrant a subscription? We’ve paid for and tested these apps so you can buy in confidence.
Privacy
Children’s privacy is one of the most important things we look for. While the app stores check for basic GDPR and COPPA compliance, we do a deeper dive into the app to ensure that your child is safe throughout their experience.
Educational Value
What is considered educational is definitely debatable in the app store. Our educational ratings are based on common core standards, whether an app is education-lite, or is simply a nice complement to what your child may be learning.
Ads
In-game ads are loosely regulated and easy for app developers to sneak past app store editors. We take the time to play each app so we can better understand if and when ads appear. When ads are in apps we evaluate what type of ads they are, how frequently they appear, and if they interfere with the overall experience.
In-app Purchases
Most free apps today have in-app purchases. According to a recent study 3 in 10 parents approve of in-app spending. Over 23% of those surveyed spend over $50 per month on in-app purchases. We want to help parents understand what types of purchases are available in each app, how much can a child do without making purchases, and if the purchases are reasonable.
Editor Rating
Every app will have pros and cons and our editor rating is based on the criteria above, plus their overall experience with the app. While an app may have too many in-app purchases, it may be a stellar experience worth downloading.
