Newsahoot publishes and motivates children to read age-appropriate News.
News has evolved from daily few lines updates to this enormous world of 24/7 blasting of useful, useless, interesting, to uninteresting content. Most of the News content isn’t even safe for consumption of Teenagers and below ages. Parents are not able to restrict or dilute the news to their kids, and it is being consumed by them in this raw unfiltered manner. This does affect even the mental health of growing and evolving kids.
That is where Newsahoot comes in to resolve this pain point, a platform where the News is entirely kids friendly for their consumption. Newsahoot is India’s first and only news for kids platform. They publish and motivate children to read age-appropriate news.
Every news story presents a chance for us to discover something new. Their goal is to empower children with this knowledge, equipping them to face future challenges with confidence and understanding. They want to use the news as an educative tool.
We sat down with the Founder and CEO Anmol Malhotra for an one on one interview, in helping us understand their startup better, and learn their goals and vision. Do go through their interview conducted by Desi Founder Team.
Also check them out on their socials:
Can you tell me about the inspiration behind starting Newsahoot?
Every member of our society is involved in the news cycle in one way or another (through the TV, apps, radio, etc.), except children. News touches every facet of our lives, especially social development.
With Newsahoot, I wanted to use the news to instill empathy, sensitivity, confidence, responsibility, equality, tolerance and acceptance in all children. That is the driving force behind Newsahoot.
What does the name “Newsahoot” symbolise?
The name “Newsahoot” combines “news” with “hoot,” which conveys excitement and enthusiasm. It symbolises the joy and energy of discovering and learning about current events in a way that’s engaging for children.
How did you come up with creating a kid-friendly news portal? What was the pain point?
I view the news slightly differently from how others view it. To me, each news story is a learning experience. As adults, we often take the news for granted. But, it is an excellent opportunity for children to learn from the present and act in the future.
Empathy, sensitivity, confidence, responsibility, equality, tolerance and acceptance are only a few traits that children can learn from the news. Unfortunately, the news is not accessible to children in our country today. There are many reasons, including lack of time, inappropriate content, engaging resources, etc.
Newsahoot harnesses the educative power of the news in a safe and engaging manner. In fact, Newsahoot is India’s first and only news for kids portal.
How do you keep up with the trends, and how are you planning to source your news content?
To keep up with trends, we actively monitor current events, educational trends, and feedback from educators and parents. News content is sourced from reliable sources, vetted for age-appropriateness, and adapted to be informative and engaging for kids. Collaboration with educational experts ensures the content is accurate and suitable for the target age group.
How do you manage work-life balance while running your business?
Managing work-life balance involves setting clear boundaries between work and personal time, prioritizing tasks effectively, and delegating responsibilities when possible.
Regular breaks, time management strategies, and a support network of family and friends help ensure that work does not overwhelm personal life. Balancing these aspects is crucial to maintaining productivity – a difficult lesson to learn!
How do you ensure that Newsahoot remains well-moderated and PG13?
To ensure that Newsahoot remains well-moderated and PG13, we have implemented a rigorous set of measures and guidelines.
Our content is carefully vetted by experts, including educators, to ensure it is age-appropriate and educational. We adhere to strict editorial standards that filter out any content deemed unsuitable or distressing for children.
Our moderation process includes regular reviews and updates to maintain high standards and ensure that Newsahoot remains a safe and respectful platform for young readers.
What sets Newsahoot apart from other platforms aimed at children?
Newsahoot stands out from other platforms aimed at children through its unique focus on delivering age-appropriate, engaging, and educational news content. Here’s how we differentiate in terms of content and user experience:
Content:
Age-appropriate reporting: Newsahoot curates news stories tailored for children. We present information in a way that is accessible and relevant to young readers.
Educational value: We integrate learning opportunities, such as vocabulary building and critical thinking exercises, into our news stories.
Interactive features: We make current events more engaging and memorable for children through elements like quizzes, games, and discussion prompts related to news stories.
User experience:
Child-friendly design: Newsahoot’s design is visually appealing and intuitive for children, with neutral colours, simple navigation, and interactive elements.
Safe environment: We ensure a secure browsing experience by moderating all content rigorously and providing a platform free from inappropriate ads and user-generated content.
Engaging presentation: We use multimedia such as illustrations, videos, and info-graphics to make news stories more engaging.
How do you decide which news stories are suitable for children?
Choosing the right news stories for children involves a careful process to ensure they are suitable, educational, and engaging. We select content that matches our young audience’s developmental level, avoids overly complex or distressing topics, and focuses on fostering critical thinking and building vocabulary.
Our selection process prioritizes relevance to children’s lives and interests, preferring topics that resonate with their daily experiences and spark curiosity. We source stories from reliable sources to ensure accuracy and trustworthiness.
To enhance engagement, we use age-appropriate visuals such as illustrations, info-graphics, and videos. Interactive features like quizzes, games, and discussion prompts are also included to encourage active participation and deeper understanding.
In your opinion, why is it important for children to have a dedicated news portal like Newsahoot?
A dedicated news portal like Newsahoot is vital for children. It provides age-appropriate, simplified news to help them understand current events without exposing them to inappropriate content.
Educational elements in the stories enhance learning, critical thinking, and vocabulary. Newsahoot creates a safe environment without inappropriate ads or distressing topics, fostering a positive learning space.
By presenting news in an engaging, interactive format, Newsahoot stimulates curiosity and a lifelong interest in global issues. It empowers children to develop critical thinking skills and form their own opinions.
If it weren’t for Newsahoot, most of our readers would have not read the news until they needed to study it for competitive exams much later in life.
That will be a wrap of the interview. Hope you enjoyed reading it, as much as we enjoyed creating it. If you too have an interesting Founder Story to share it with the world, please feel free to submit a request here.