Is eBird 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 eBird's age rating means
eBird 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 eBird
Users frequently report technical issues like app crashes, freezing on the 'install a pack' screen, and slow loading times. Many also criticize the app's clunky interface, difficulty navigating, and lack of features like alphabetical sorting or seamless photo integration. Some express frustration with gatekeeping behavior, where their bird identifications are questioned or marked as incomplete without clear justification.
Summarized from 235 recent 1-3 star reviews. These are user reports, not verified claims.
How to keep your child safe with eBird
Settings, Screen Time, Content & Privacy Restrictions. Set an age limit for apps, require Ask to Buy for purchases, and restrict or remove eBird 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 eBird on your child's device.
eBird for kids: frequently asked questions
Is eBird safe for kids?
eBird 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 eBird have?
The App Store rates eBird 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 eBird 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 eBird 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 eBird and block or uninstall it. You can also set a store age limit so apps above your child's age cannot be installed.