LINE Yahoo announced on September 28 that its children's portal site, “Yahoo! Kids,” will cease operations on December 4, 2026. A special page looking back at the service's memories is scheduled to be launched in November.
Launched in 1997, Yahoo! Kids applied unique filtering to search results to ensure children could safely search for information, and also offered content such as learning materials, games, and encyclopedias.
The background to the service's termination is the change in the digital environment surrounding children. According to LINE Yahoo, beyond searching and web browsing on PCs, the usage environment has now expanded to include one-device-per-child programs in schools, smartphones, social media, videos, and generative AI.
In light of these changes, the company will review its methods for providing youth protection and literacy education. Even after Yahoo! Kids shuts down, LINE Yahoo states that it will continue and strengthen initiatives such as information ethics and digital literacy education, measures against online troubles, and collaboration with schools, local governments, and parents.
In an announcement aimed at children, Yahoo! Kids commented, “We have supported everyone's 'curiosity!'” As children's internet usage changes, a long-loved service will draw to a close.
