KidsTube (partially lost videos from YouTube alternative website; 2008-2014)
KidsTube was a family-friendly, moderated video-sharing website meant for young children that was live from March 2008 to 2014[1][2]. The website was created by Barry J. "BJ" Crocker who conceived the idea when looking for safe websites for his son, Ezra. As he discovered that most sites were a "breeding ground" of negativity, he sought to create a moderated website for children that would allow positive communication between them and that would foster content creation skills[3]. The staff ensured moderation by pre-checking each individual uploaded video before it was posted[4].
The website's popularity was best marked by numerous web articles that discussed the site; it was described as an "anti-4Chan" and "good clean wholesome fun"[5]. One of the few videos discussing KidsTube is a commercial advertising the site hosted on Sean Sanczel's YouTube channel, with 734,434 views as of December 2022.
The website hosted weekly video contests that surrounded a particular theme; the winner was selected by the staff[6] and oftentimes received prizes[7].
Gallery
Staff
The creator of the website was BJ Crocker, but he was also joined by several staff members over the years. Sean Sanczel was a graphics designer, animator, and administrator of the site. The CEO of the website from 2010 to June 2014 was Lianne Clenard[8].
Missing Videos
The website's uploaded videos were mostly lost when the website was shut down. An effort to reupload missing videos was started in June 2022 by a YouTube channel titled KidsTube Reuploads[9].
- ↑ Wayback Machine record of KidsTube Retrieved 7 Dec '22
- ↑ Southeast Missourian article about KidsTube Retrieved 7 Dec '22
- ↑ School Library Association of Victoria article about KidsTube Retrieved 7 Dec '22
- ↑ WOIO Cleveland 19 News article about KidsTube Retrieved 7 Dec '22
- ↑ The Red Ferret Journal article about KidsTube Retrieved 7 Dec '22
- ↑ Free Technology for Teachers article about KidsTube Retrieved 7 Dec '22
- ↑ YouTube video by David Rizzo showing winner of KidsTube contest Retrieved 7 Dec '22
- ↑ Lianne Clenard LinkedIn Retrieved 7 Dec '22
- ↑ KidsTube Reuploads YouTube channel Retrieved 7 Dec '22