Wikipedia

Zift Advisory

The Wikipedia app provides mobile access to the internet-based free encyclopedia. The Wikipedia app is free to download and is rated for users of all ages. This app is available in both the App Store and the Google Play Store. There are no in-app purchases and advertisements. This app is safe for kids with parental supervision.

About Wikipedia

What is Wikipedia?

The Wikipedia app provides mobile access to the internet-based free encyclopedia that hosts more than 40 million entries.

The Wikipedia app is free to download and is rated for users of all ages. This app is available in both the App Store and the Google Play Store. There are no in-app purchases and advertisements.

For knowledge-hungry kids, the Wikipedia app is the gateway to a treasure trove of information about almost any and every topic imaginable. Written wholly by volunteers, Wikipedia features articles in nearly 300 languages.

In keeping with the times, the Wikipedia app now features a feed featuring recommended articles from across the community. Daily users can explore fun facts with the “On this day” feature that features historical events that happened each day.

Users may opt to log into the app to access additional options, including saving articles and creating customized reading lists. If users allow the Wikipedia app to access their device’s location information, the app will serve items of local interest in the user’s feed.

Once enabled, the Wikipedia app will show users a map view with entries pinpointed at specific locations in their area, such as historical locations and town/city history.

Much like an eReader, the Wikipedia app gives users the option to adjust their reading preferences while using the app.

Wikipedia app preferences include text size in addition to changing the color theme for the app to match their aesthetic choice, adjusting the brightness of images, and expanding the tables in all articles to show quick facts, additional references, notes and external links.

A Settings menu allows Wikipedia users to manage the Wikipedia app on their device. Users can further customize their experience with the Wikipedia app by adjusting the language, setting notifications preferences, enabling article syncing and showing saved reading lists.

The app also lets users clear their cache and delete saved items to manage storage with Wikipedia. In essence, users can decide how much of their information and preferences are stored by the Wikipedia app, or how little, by the simple act of choosing whether or not to create an account and log in.

Casual users will likely prefer to surf articles with anonymity and should use the app without creating an account or logging in.

Is Wikipedia safe for my kids?

It’s important to note that, as with all information gleaned from the internet, users should proceed with caution.

Wikipedia is a collaborative encyclopedia with everyday people creating entries. This means that anyone can edit the listings contained within Wikipedia and they often do.

And while the community editing aspect of Wikipedia is intended for members to contribute, update, and add to entries to make the articles better, this feature is often abused and vandalized.

Parents should instruct kids to weigh sources, and use Wikipedia’s resource links found at the bottom of article entries and annotated throughout as a starting point for gathering information about specific topics.

Additionally, content on Wikipedia covers a wide array of topics and not all of them may be appropriate for children. Parents should consider this before allowing their children to download the app.

This app can be safe for kids with parental supervision.