Gertrude AM - A Safe Podcast App For Kids
Today we're excited to announce the release of Gertrude AM, a podcast app with parental controls for iOS. It works like a normal podcast app, with one key difference: parents set a PIN code at setup that's required to search for and add new shows. Kids can listen to approved podcasts and get new episodes automatically, but they can't search for or subscribe to inappropriate content.
The Problem: How to Block Inappropriate Podcasts
Podcasts are everywhere now, and a lot of them are great for kids. But most podcast apps don't have parental controls. Apple Podcasts doesn't let you restrict what kids can search for or prevent kids from subscribing to new shows. Your child can find literally anything.
And plenty of podcasts have content parents wouldn't want their kids hearing—explicit language, sexual topics, violent themes. There's no age rating system, no content filters, nothing to stop kids from finding inappropriate audio content, not to mention perusing suggestive or explicit show and episode artwork.
A Simple Solution: Searching and Subscribing Requires a PIN
Gertrude AM solves this with one simple feature: When you first set it up, you create a PIN code. From then on, that PIN is required any time someone wants to search for or add a new podcast.
Once you've approved a show, it works normally. Kids can browse episodes, play what they want, download for offline listening. When new episodes come out, they show up automatically. The app gets out of the way and lets them enjoy the content you've approved.
But they can't search the podcast directory. They can't subscribe to new shows. They're restricted to exactly what you've already decided is appropriate.
Set your PIN, approve the shows your kids can listen to, and you're done. No complicated settings, no workarounds, just a safe way for kids to listen to podcasts on their iPhone.
Try It Today
Gertrude AM is available now in the App Store. If you've been looking for a password protected podcast app or a way to approve podcasts before kids listen, this is it.
Pricing: 30 days free, then $10/year for the whole family, no ads ever
Gertrude AM is free to download and use for 30 days. After that, a yearly subscription of $10.00/year is required to continue updating shows and receiving new episodes. One subscription will cover all members of your Apple Family, and will help us continue to develop tools for parents.
The Gertrude mac app helps you protect your kids online with strict internet filtering that you can manage from your own computer or phone, plus remote monitoring of screenshots and keylogging. $10/mo, with a 21 day free trial.