BeingGirl (http://www.beinggirl.com/)

common sense media says

Site teaches more about products than puberty.


parents & educators say
  • 75% say they noticed product placement
  • 75% say it's educational

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that buried underneath the barrage of product pushes on Procter and Gamble's teen girl hub there is some helpful health information, mostly relating to periods. To post comments, you need to register, which requires an email address and first name. Kids under 13 must submit a parent's email address who'll be notified that their kid has registered, and have the option of deleting the account. The site also encourages -- but doesn't require -- users to submit their home address and a cell number during registration. Although the site warns users that "online friends are really strangers" and not to post personal information, users -- not the site -- are in charge of reporting abuse on boards (which is really easy to do). Words like "crap" are allowed; harsher words like "s--t" are turned into a string of asterisks before comments go live.

Educational value: Site offers decent sexual health information.
Positive messages: Not applicable.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Topics include some "adult" ones including birth control, Chlamydia, and abstinence, but all the information is presented in a health-related way.
Language: Filters remove swearing but words like "douche" and "crap" are allowed. Harsher words are turned into a string of asterisks before the comment goes live.
Consumerism: Product promotions are everywhere on the site. It's hard not to go to a video, a section, or an article without coming across an ad or a product push -- from everything to period products, hair products, and beauty product.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on BeingGirl

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the overload of advertising on this site. Why do you think Procter and Gamble littered the site with ads? Do you think teens respond to a product push that's more direct or a bit more blended into a site's content? Families can also discuss submitting personal information like a cell phone number when registering for a site. Why might it be a bad idea to give personal information to a site -- even one that's run by a legitimate company? Also, what information should be keep private and what's OK to post?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
It's hard to appreciate the good stuff on this site (fun, informative Q&As, etc.) when most everything comes with a heavy product promotion. Articles are sponsored by items like Always pads, a product helper selects the period product that's "right for you," how-to hairstyling videos use Herbal Essence products, and a "Watch This!" section features commercials. Even the site's "kewl stuff" is product-related; the ManQuarium game, which lets you build a boyfriend and watch him swim, is, for some reason, presented by the Venus Breeze razor. After awhile, the site starts to feel like more of a commercial than actual content. And all that advertising makes some things seem out of place, like the Solo De Chikas section -- a pretty overt attempt to market to Hispanic teens with no explanation of why they're sectioned off separately (and given less content). It's too bad, too, because judging from the posts, girls need more answers for their body-related questions and less product recommendations.

This review was written by Erin Brereton
 
 

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What parents & educators say

10
Based on 4 parent & educator reviews:
  • 75% say they noticed product placement
  • 75% say it's educational
  • 50% say there are positive messages

Most useful reviews by all members

super sister
parent of 9 year old
 
I love this website.Advertisement is a SMALL problem.
I think this website is great because it does support asking mom or close friends for help my concerns are only one thing advertisement but i'm not really that worried it's not like they can buy the tampons and pads online mostly it suggests them it's perfect for GIRLS boys might be freaked out by it though.

maddie12584
kid, 10 years old
 
I love being a teen.!!!!!!!!!!$$$$$$$$$**********#########

HelloKitty101
kid, 11 years old
 
Fine. 11 years old and up
Kind of trashy... it's okay information. Overall okay site.

Anjonai
kid, 12 years old
 
Very useful
Well I think it's a graet website for girls 10+and up

starlight12344
kid, 10 years old
 
I love the site! It gave me tips on what kind of tampons to choose and EVRYTHING! i love love love love it!

Ravyn faith
kid, 10 years old
 
i think....

fatcorgi1
parent
 
Good For Girls 10-17
I think that this is a great website for girls going through puberty. It gives alot of information on topics some girls might be to afraid to ask their mom or older sibling about. Try it out. If you're a girl 10-17 this website will help alot. If you're a mother, but your daughter is too afraid to talk about stuff like this to you, you should tell her to visit this website and she will probably explore this website and get alot of valuable information.

mmme
kid, 10 years old
 
products products and more products.............

joanna579
teen, 14 years old
 
i love the site! It is very helpful! I am almost 13, and it teaches preteens well. I mean when talking to parents or friends is awkward, it's nice to know there are educational sites about that stuff. It's fantastic!

PrincessPixie101
teen, 13 years old
 
I love beinggirl*, especially the feature where you can "Ask Iris", a professional on periods and puberty, any question you'd like. The only problem is the commercialism. Oh my goodness, it's not even funny how many tie-ins lurk on that site: they advertise Always pads and Tampax tampons EVERYWHERE, and the site is like a big playground for advertisers. Whenever they mention using a sanitary product, they make sure they use "Tampax" or "Always" instead of just tampon or pad. It's okay, and I love the information they give you, but it is a little too much.

Diana_2033
kid, 13 years old
 
I like being girl It has really helped me learn about what I am going to be going through

Kweii
teen, 17 years old
 
Helpful
Very informative- I'd suggest this site for any girl who is nervous or wants to know more about growing up!

koala6324
kid, 11 years old
 
Advice Central
Why is this iffy? If I was age 11 it would be my hero!!! It has plenty of advice.

Starfish97
teen, 16 years old
 
VERY helpful website
This website is for girls from ages 11-17. It helps you on info you might want to know about stuff, and it really makes things less complicated for you. I know that when I went on the site, i signed up first thing! Also, my school nurse a couple years ago even reccomended it, so as you can see, it is completley harmless. Girls will enjoy the makeover games.

emi622
teen, 15 years old
 

Ginny Weasley ...
teen, 13 years old
 
perfect for tweens and up.
Well i used to go on it, but not anymore, and i don't know how, but i keep getting monthly ads, but i just delete them.

ping8866
teen, 15 years old
 
Interesting!
This website is informational for girls 10-17! It includes stories, feelings, and facts for girls with questions about living life!

joanna123451
teen, 14 years old
 
Great site, very educational
i love the site! It is very helpful! I am almost 13, and it teaches preteens well. I mean when talking to parents or friends is awkward, it's nice to know there are educational sites about that stuff. It's fantastic!

Hope4u2
teen, 16 years old
 
Good stuff.
I think it is very educational for girls. The only problem is all the advertising, but that is exusable.

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About our rating system
ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age