The new Microsoft Edge children’s mode is ideal for shared family computers

Microsoft is launching a new children’s mode for the Edge browser today. It’s built directly into Microsoft Edge on Windows and macOS as a free, easy-to-activate option that doesn’t require a lot of parental management. The mode can be activated by selecting it from the Edge profile option and will block children in the Edge browser with access only to approved sites.

“It’s a free, secure online environment for kids up to the age of 12 that gives parents peace of mind when their kids surf the web on a shared device,” Microsoft Edge Product Director Divya Kumar said in an interview with The Verge.

Microsoft really designed this way for kids around a scenario where parents could hand over a laptop to a child to allow them to surf the web. Once you have started Kids mode, there is an option to select from five to eight years or nine to 12 years. Both age categories include the highest level of tracking prevention in Edge and Bing SafeSearch strictly to filter text, images, and adult videos from searches. Microsoft has provided 70 popular children’s sites on an automatic permission list, but parents will need to individually add any additional sites.

This particular mode actually restricts shortcuts from the Windows keyboard to prevent copies from exiting, but unfortunately the same shortcut restrictions are not in place on macOS. Once Kids mode is enabled, an adult will need to enter Windows or MacOS credentials to exit and return to their normal browsing.

Image: Microsoft

If a child tries to view a site that is not on the list, there is a block page where they can ask the adult for permission. Because it’s privacy-focused and located on your device, Kids Mode doesn’t require a Microsoft account, nor will it sync your list of approved websites across devices. Unfortunately, this means that you will need to set up multiple lists if you have multiple PCs or laptops shared.

The age range of nine to 12 also includes a news feed on the new page of the tab in Children mode, with articles organized by MSN for children. This will not be current news or a chance for your child to enter politics at an early age, as the topics will be more focused on science, fun and animal facts, rather than the latest on pandemics or geopolitics.

Image: Microsoft

Once the Kids Mode is activated, there are also options for customizing the themes, colors and background of the new tabs. Microsoft even teamed up with Disney and Pixar to offer special themes like The Little Mermaid, Finding Nemo, and more.

Microsoft sees this as a “parent game changer,” and its simplicity and ease of use are certainly invigorating. “When we looked at the other content filtering and control offers on the market today, we constantly found that most of them require a very long registration process or a subscription and generally do not offer anything easy. or adapted to children, ”says Kumar.

The children’s mode will be available today in Microsoft Edge for both Windows and macOS.