Information is literally at our fingertips.  We can watch what we want on YouTube and other popular video streaming services.  Now that the technology is so readily available it is extremely difficult to monitor what kids watch.  They might intend to watch something completely innocent on YouTube, but the related videos might lead them to something inappropriate.

With all of that in mind, a parent created an app called Smalltube for Windows 8 and Windows phones to help address this problem.  I am seeing a trend with new programs and apps across platforms that are attempting to help parents monitor their children’s online activity.

Parents can create a video library of their choosing in Smalltube and let their children only watch the videos that they’ve added.  This might be a good activity for both parents and children to create a library together if the child is old enough to offer an opinion.  There is also an option for full screen viewing.  I quickly searched and added an episode from an old favorite, Boy Meets World and Nickelodeon’s Angry Beavers.

When you enter the app for the first time, it takes you step-by-step through setting up an account, search and add videos, and for watching them.  I really like this aspect of Smalltube.  Too often, apps don’t give an explanation right off the bat, so someone using it for the first time just fumbles around until they can find the help section or figure out what does what.

In order to set up an account, all you have to do is create a password.  No additional information is needed.

Smalltube is easy to use on both touch screen and non touch screen Windows 8 devices.  I highly recommend it for both parents and others who are looking for a simple way to store their favorite YouTube videos.