Yoto Player Sells Millions of Screenless Audio Devices for Children as Parents Push Back on iPads
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 1
Yoto Player Sells Millions of Screenless Audio Devices for Children as Parents Push Back on iPads
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 1
Summary
Millions of Yoto Players have been sold, turning the screenless children’s audio box into a rare consumer-tech hit and building a cult following around its card-based format.
Ben Drury conceived the device 12 years ago after recoiling at an iPad holder on a baby stroller and set out to make a children’s product that felt enriching rather than addictive.
The player uses physical controls and inserted audio cards instead of touch screens, aiming to give young children a simpler, more developmentally appropriate way to listen to music and stories.
Yoto’s rise has also spawned an accessory market on Etsy, while rival screenless player Toniebox is gaining traction, suggesting broader demand for child-focused alternatives to phones and tablets.