What is Komoot? What parents need to know

Komoot is a navigation and route planning app created to help hikers, cyclists and runners find their next trail. Users can find routes based on the sport they want to do, their fitness level and the terrain. The app will then generate a route that suits the user’s specifications. In addition to route planning, Komoot has social features, allowing users to connect with the wider Komoot community.

Komoot is available to download from the Apple App Store and Google Play. You can also use it in a web browser. The app works on smartwatches such as the Apple Watch or a Garmin watch.

You can use Komoot for free, but in-app transactions are available. Users can make one-time map purchases which give access to offline navigation of areas. These maps cover single regions (£3.99), a region bundle (£8.99) or the whole world (£29.99).

Users can also subscribe to Komoot Premium for a price of £59.99/year. This subscription gives access to all maps, the ability to plan multi-day trips, live-tracking and a range of other features to make the app easier to use.

Komoot age rating

Komoot is rated as being appropriate for anyone aged 4+ years old on the Apple App Store. Google Play has the app listed as being rated PEGI 3. This is because the app does not include any mature or inappropriate content. You can use the app alongside your child at any age, but you should only allow your child to use it by themselves when they are mature enough to be able to go on solo bike rides and adventures.

The Komoot app allows users to plan routes, navigate while on these routes and then track and record their activities in the app. Users can choose routes for a variety of sports, such as hiking, cycling, and running.

The route planner can generate paths for users by inputting a start and end point, a desired pace for the activity and the sport the user would like to do. Users can also choose routes that other Komoot users have taken and recommended. This allows them to find the most popular trails in their area. When choosing a route, the app will share information regarding the path chosen, including the time it takes, the elevation of the route and what fitness level is recommended for anyone planning on taking the route.

Komoot also curates lists of routes. Some of their lists are targeted at children, such as the ‘Hiking with Kids’ collection. These are generally easier routes that will sometimes include child friendly stops along the way. Going on these family-friendly hikes can be a great bonding experience with your child, and could be an opportunity to learn more about their digital life.

Activities can be recorded, letting users see how far they travelled and how long it took, and receive a GPS map of the path taken. Users can track their improvement, as it shows them if they are getting faster on routes they take multiple times.

The app includes social features, similar to Strava. Users can follow other people on the app and receive their posts and activities in their personal feed. Users can leave likes and comments on these posts and tag others in the comments. In this sense Komoot is quite like a social media app.

You can also view other users’ recommendations in the app. This can be entire routes, or just specific points of interest on routes, such as cafes or viewpoints.

Additionally, users can invite friends to a planned outing by generating an QR code or link invitation.

Komoot does not have true parental controls. Children can easily switch back any privacy settings their parents edit because the app doesn’t require a parental PIN or permission.

However, privacy and control features are available that can give children a safer experience on the app:

• Privacy zones: you can set these zones around locations like your home. Routes that start or end within this zone will be hidden from other users. This prevents other users from learning where your child lives.
• Profile visibility: you can control who can view your child’s profile and activities. Setting it to private means only approved followers can see this information.
• Blocking: you can block other users that you do not want interacting with your child.
• Tracking: if you have a premium subscription, you can track your child’s location while they are on a route. This is a useful safety feature if your child is old enough to go on solo hikes and bike rides.  

• Gets kids active
• Free version available
• Positive screen time
• Opportunity for family time
• Child-specific route recommendations
• Suitable for all fitness levels

Komoot is overall a very safe app that can benefit the whole family. However, there are still some concerns that you should be aware of.

Sharing personal information

If your child uses the social features of the app, there is a chance that they overshare and reveal personal information. If your child shares the GPS maps created after they complete routes, people who view them might be able to figure out where your child lives based on the start and end points of the routes.

You can reduce this risk by adjusting Komoot’s privacy settings. You can set privacy zones around your home to hide it on GPS maps, and make your child’s profile private so that strangers can’t see their activity. However, as there is no way to prevent your child from changing these settings, you should explain to them the importance of privacy online.

Social features

The existence of user posts and comments on Komoot means children might accidentally see inappropriate content while using the app. Komoot moderates user-posted content and removes selfies or anything unrelated to routes, so it’s unlikely your child will see anything inappropriate. Some comments do contain adult language though, such as swear words or references to drugs.  

Setting your child’s feed to only show trusted users, like friends and family, will reduce the chances of them seeing any adult language or other inappropriate content on Komoot.

Unsafe routes

Komoot’s map data doesn’t always provide perfect results. The app could suggest routes that are too challenging for children or direct them toward areas they aren’t allowed to enter. Properly researching the route before starting it and staying aware of your surroundings while hiking or biking will help mitigate this risk.