Microsoft is rolling out an update to its Edge web browser on macOS, bringing a new Kids Mode. This feature locks children into the browser with access to only approved sites.

To access Kids Mode: On the Edge browser, select your profile photo on the upper-right corner, then choose “Browse in Kids Mode.” A new tab will appear and the user will be able to opt between 5-8 and 9-12 years old.

As reported by the Verge, “both age ranges include the highest level of tracking prevention in Edge and strict Bing SafeSearch to filter out adult text, images, and videos from searches. Microsoft has provided 70 popular kids’ sites on an automatic allow list, but parents will have to individually add any additional sites on top of that.”

“It’s a free, protected online environment for kids 12 and under that gives parents peace of mind when their kids browse the web on a shared device,” explains Divya Kumar, product director of Microsoft Edge, in an interview with the Verge.

While Kids Mode restricts Windows keyboard shortcuts from working to prevent kids from exiting out, the same doesn’t apply to macOS.

The biggest difference between age ranges is that the higher 9 to 12 includes a news feed on the new tab page in Kids Mode, with curated articles from MSN for Kids, focusing on science, fun facts, and animals.

Kids Mode also offers customizable themes with a Disney and Pixar partnership with Finding Nemo and The Little Mermaid as wallpapers.

The update is available for free for macOS users here.

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1. On May 20, 2019, the first preview builds of Edge for macOS were released to the public, marking the first time in 13 years that a Microsoft browser was available on the Mac platform. The last time a Microsoft browser was available on the Mac platform was Microsoft Internet Explorer for Mac, which was withdrawn in January 2006.
2. Microsoft Edge is the new Chromium-based web browser available for Mac and other platforms. By using it, not surprisingly, you can visit websites, bookmark favorite pages, and more. Here's what you need to know to get started! Microsoft Edge for Mac.

Microsoft Edge gives you the tools to protect your privacy online with features like tracking prevention, AdBlock Plus and InPrivate browsing. Organise the web in a way that cuts through the clutter, making it easier to find, view and manage your content on the go.

The Chromium engine has allowed for a complete refresh of Microsoft Edge, as the new browser evolved beyond the world of Windows to become a cross-platform application that can also run on macOS and soon on Linux.

Just like Google Chrome, Vivaldi, and other Chromium-based browser, Microsoft Edge can now serve as the main driver on more than just Windows 10. Both Windows 7 and 8.1 are also supported, and Microsoft is now at work on bringing the browser to the world of Linux too.

But expanding beyond the boundaries of Windows 10 isn’t the only result of Microsoft Edge embracing the Chromium engine. This new approach also allowed Edge to evolve substantially with new capabilities, including support for Google Chrome extensions, and many other new features.

And Microsoft has tried an approach that makes so much sense for Windows users. The company retained the familiar look and feature lineup in the legacy version of Edge and brought it to the Chromium engine, thus developing a mix that makes it one of the best browsers currently available.

Microsoft Edge User Guide

But the bigger challenge for Microsoft Edge isn’t necessarily to serve as your daily driver on Windows 10, but to actually convince Chrome, Firefox, and Safari users it’s worth a try.

As I see it, a more ambitious plan is to make Apple users sticking with Safari to migrate to Edge, something which for the hardcore fans of the Cupertino-based company is outrageous.

Download Microsoft Edge Mac Os

But for many others, it all comes down to using the best browser around at a certain time.

Right now, Microsoft Edge is just as good as Google Chrome, if not actually even better, so Mac users have no reason not to give it a try. While Safari itself is a pretty advanced browser, many choose it because it’s the native choice. Others go for Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox, both of which have been around for a long time on Macs, and now are rather reticent to giving a try to Microsoft Edge.

Microsoft, however, is fully committed to delivering a very refined experience regardless of the platform. The company maintains the browser with several development channels, including a Canary build that is updated on a daily basis. The Dev build receives updates every week, while the Beta channel is refreshed every six weeks.

“Microsoft Edge for macOS will offer the same new browsing experience that we’re previewing on Windows, with user experience optimizations to make it feel at home on a Mac. We are tailoring the overall look and feel to match what macOS users expect from apps on this platform,” Microsoft said when it released the first build of the new Edge for macOS.

“We are committed to building a world class browser with Microsoft Edge through differentiated user experience features and connected services. With this initial release, we have made several changes to the user interface to align with the Microsoft design language whilst making it feel natural on macOS.”

Mac Os Mojave

The good news is that the adoption of Microsoft Edge is already improving, and the first victim appears to be Firefox. According to third-party statistics, while Google Chrome maintains a clear lead in the browser world on the desktop, Firefox is losing ground, and there’s a good chance it’d lose the second place to Microsoft Edge in just a few months.

Edge is expected to improve its market share in the coming months as more people give it a try, and once the browser lands on Linux as well, it officially becomes a full alternative to the likes of Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.