“The new domain extension for kids-friendly content online, and the only online address with kids’ best interest at heart”, the official dot-kids website reads. The launch of this new gTLD is currently in Sunrise period, with a public general availability planned for November 29, 2022. The DotKids Foundation, a not-for-profit organization incorporated in Hong Kong, will act as the Registry Operator for this community gTLD.

The domain will be devoted to anything targeting “human beings below the age of 18 years”, whether it’s entertaining and educational Web content, services by and for people in charge of the wellbeing of children (parents, educators, caregivers), or “organizations and charities that benefit children and their families”.

Although kids worldwide can barely be considered a coherent community, devoting a community-oriented TLD to children makes sense. “The Internet is filled with unfiltered potential for kids to be exposed to harmful interactions like cyberbullying and harassment, as well as inappropriate content”, the official dot-kids’ Twitter account underlines, noting that “71% of parents do not supervise their children’s Internet use after the age of 14”. Such a sensitive domain comes with high responsibilities. Last August, the DotKids Foundation assured that it will “work closely with the global children’s rights & welfare community to put in place relevant policies to mitigate against abuse”.