Is Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab Safe for Kids?
Age rating is set by App Store, not by Unstar. This page explains it and adds what parents report in reviews. Not affiliated with Cornell University.
What Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab's age rating means
Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab holds a family-friendly 4+ rating on the App Store. It is broadly appropriate, but a low age rating does not remove every risk: check whether it has chat, ads, or in-app purchases below.
What parents and users report about Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab
Users frequently complain about issues with email verification, including rejected email addresses and missing confirmation emails. Many report high battery drain due to background activity, and the app's bird identification accuracy is often criticized as unreliable. Additional concerns include lack of iOS 17/18 support, forced location sharing, and language limitations.
Summarized from 45 recent 1-3 star reviews. These are user reports, not verified claims.
How to keep your child safe with Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab
Settings, Screen Time, Content & Privacy Restrictions. Set an age limit for apps, require Ask to Buy for purchases, and restrict or remove Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab if it is above your child's age.
Use Google Family Link to approve installs, set a Play Store content rating limit, require purchase approval, and block or uninstall Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab on your child's device.
Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab for kids: frequently asked questions
Is Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab safe for kids?
Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab carries a family-friendly official rating (4+) on the App Store. That makes it broadly suitable, but even family-rated apps can include chat, ads, or in-app purchases, so check the factors below.
What age rating does Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab have?
The App Store rates Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab as 4+. This is the store's own content rating, set from the app's features and content, not our opinion. Use it as the starting point for whether it fits your child's age.
Can my child use Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab safely?
If you decide to allow it, use device parental controls: Screen Time and Content & Privacy Restrictions on iPhone, or Family Link and Play Store parental controls on Android. Turn on purchase approval, set age-appropriate content limits, and keep the account under your family group so you can see activity.
How do I block or remove Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab from my child's phone?
On iPhone, open Settings, Screen Time, Content & Privacy Restrictions, then restrict or delete the app and block reinstalling it. On Android, open Family Link, select your child, find Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab and block or uninstall it. You can also set a store age limit so apps above your child's age cannot be installed.