If you’ve ever struggled with the bizarre and sometimes inappropriate content that pops up on YouTube for kids, Maka might be the solution you’ve been looking for. This new streaming app, designed specifically for children aged 0 to 6, promises to offer a safer, more controlled viewing experience.

Unlike its competitors, Maka has no ads, no autoplay features, and no endless scrolling. Instead, the platform uses a subscription model, with a monthly fee of £15 and an annual fee of £107, to curate a selection of content that includes both licensed shows and independent creator content. The programming slate currently features 25 shows, including favourites like Franklin, The Wiggles, and Sesame Street.

Maka’s commitment to child development extends beyond just the content. Every episode is evaluated by child development experts using Imprint, a framework developed in partnership with researchers at the Yale Child Study Center. This process, which examines everything from scene cuts to the pacing of content, helps ensure that the shows on Maka are not only entertaining but also beneficial for children’s development. The evaluation looks for elements that support critical thinking, emotional regulation, and language development, among other factors.

The launch of Maka comes at a time when concerns about the quality and appropriateness of children’s media have grown. With the rise of AI-generated content, videos often lack coherence and educational value, sometimes even containing misinformation. Parents are left with the difficult task of filtering through countless options to find content that is both engaging and beneficial for their children.

While Maka presents a promising alternative, the challenge will be convincing parents to trust this new platform. The company’s founders are confident that their approach will provide parents with the relief they seek, knowing that the content on Maka has been vetted by experts. However, as AI continues to revolutionize the way children consume media, the importance of involving child development specialists in the process cannot be overstated.