Blogger (http://www.blogger.com)
common sense media says
Publishing thoughts can be easy -- but use safety features.
parents & educators say
- 100% say there are positive messages
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this Google-owned site is a personal online diary of thoughts and pictures where users have the option of letting public readers add comments. In order to restrict access to blogs with sexual material, parents can turn on SafeSearch filtering with the Google search tool. However, violent and otherwise iffy content (drugs, drinking, swearing) isn't blocked, and if kids choose to "publish a site feed," i.e. open up their blog to public comment, there's the chance that comments could be unfriendly.
Educational value:
The site offers an opportunity to learn about culture and history. Travel blogs include interesting stories about Spain's famous architect Antoni Gaudi, and meeting religious leaders in Mumbai.
Violence:
The site includes real stories of people's lives. Some entries discuss tragic car accidents, disabled children, gang violence, and death. Also, some political blogs give facts about foreign wars.
Sex:
Because the site includes real stories of people's lives, it's possible to encounter sexual content, such as one story that references prostitution.
Language:
Journalists can express themselves freely and use language as they see fit. Therefore, kids can encounter -- or use -- iffy language.
Consumerism:
Some blogs were created strictly as business advertisements.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
Some entries mention using drugs and alcohol.
Privacy & safety:
A username and password are needed to create a profile, and members can upload photos if they choose to. There are privacy settings that allow members to choose whether they want to keep their posts private or share them with the public. The site tracks and saves all content in backup media even after entries have been deleted from public view. Also, personal information is not shared unless consent is given or the law requires so.
More on Blogger
Review It
Most useful reviews by all members
summerbreeze
teen, 14 years old
teen, 14 years old
Blogger is great website. You can create your own blog for free and customize it however you want. It let's you add or remove practically anything you want to. Want to make your own blog layout. Blogger will let you. Blogger let's you edit the html and make blogging easy. They also keep track of the blogs you subscribe to and keeps track how many readers you have to telling you when a comment needs to approved of. They also tell you how many view your page or certain posts. It is an overall wonderful site.
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NoseStuckInABook
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
Creative Outlet
It's a mixed bag here. Everything goes (or so I'd assume, I haven't explored the blogs much). Although I prefer blogster, I also copy my blog posts onto blogger. Blogs can be a creative outlet for kids if they know how to use them correctly (as in, not giving out personal information). Many kids find it hurt to sit down at a journal, and like I said before, great creative outlet.
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Hokage4354
teen, 17 years old
teen, 17 years old
Mostly Appropriate- Some Mature Content
As a personal Blogger user, I can assure you that a vast majority of the blogs hosted by blogger are appropriate enough for teens to view. Since even tame pages can contain some profanity and sexual comments/articles, I will definitely say that you should at least be a teen to be going to this site. Google (a partner of the site) does a good job of placing ads on most pages, but Google also manages the blogs pretty well. Overall, the service itself it great, although some people use it inappropriately to ruin it for everyone.
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PomPom2000
kid, 11 years old
kid, 11 years old
The Best Blogging Site!
It rocks, it is easy to create a blog. Trust me I created one all by myself. But not that many people blog anymore.I haven't run into anything mean, bad or gross.
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Ericadinardo
kid, 11 years old
kid, 11 years old
Great wedsite
So of it might be bad and good but aren't all wedsites ?
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Faraz Ahmed
adult
adult
Best Blogger
Blogger is always been best place to create free blog. I love it..
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Ericasdinardo
kid, 11 years old
kid, 11 years old
I love it
It's a great site but you have to use it with thought because if you don't you can be bullied or get in trouble with who ever you write about on the site .
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Ritas student
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
Depends How You Use It.
I think it's okay for 11 and up if you are only on your blog or a friend's blog. If you are looking at random people's blogs then it's like 13 or 14 and up.
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neoking2002_neo
adult
adult
I love using Blogger/Blogspot!
Yeah, I do Blogger/Blogspot, and it's pretty good. I refuse to tell you where my secret blog is, that's a no-no! At least you can have your own little website for free at Blogger, I reccommend it for anyone! My main concerns are mild violence and a few other things, but it's pretty good to put down your views on stuff you like. ;)
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crankdatsoulja ...
kid, 13 years old
kid, 13 years old
Ask Amanda Anything
hey theres this really good advice columnist her email is askamandaanything@gmail* if your a girl who has boy problems school problems friend problems or anything like that you should email her with your question she is really safe and you have a garunteed response also its free
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ThreeDaysGrace ...
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
Pretty fine for anyone over eleven. Innapropriate content isn't an issue- I'm a member.
It's pretty good, but, let's be serious- it's extremely hard to get ANY recongition, you feel isolated from people. There's no messaging system, only comments, and I have yet to only recieve two- and they're from ONE friend from quizilla when quizilla wasn't working properly. It's fine, but... kind of boring.
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Euonym!
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
Good for mature teens and tweens
It depends on how you use this site. I have two blogs that are mostly educational, and I don't give out privat info. If your kid knows Internet safety, it's appropriate. If they don't, don't let them participate.
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violet-roses
teen, 13 years old
teen, 13 years old
To blog, or not to blog?
It really all depends on the user's amount of maturity. Since anything goes, members could run into inappropriate blogs or cyber bullies. From my personal experiences, I'd say its a clean, fresh blogging site for people ages 13 and up. Its sort of like a journal, but it can be public depending on your privacy settings.
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bffpanda1999
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
Just be Safe...
It's so easy to create a blog. To have a blog, you just get a google acount. THat's great for kids any age, just don't share to much info about yourself of your friends, like facebook. Looking at blogs, can be ok, as long as you stick to the "safe" ones. It's just another way to express yourself online. Don't get to personal though.
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Angelish...
kid, 10 years old
kid, 10 years old
Erm...
Honestly I think kids who don't understand what some of the luanguage and stuff means...and if it is about just plain blogs, well, I've been on one to many websites were things can get out of hand.....so thats really all I have to say
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321Firecracker
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
Great for kids 10+ who know Internet safety
Blogger is a great website. It's best for 10 and up, especially if they can spell almost perfectly. Make sure that if it is a family computer, you/they log out each time, because blogger keeps you signed in. You can post pictures and videos too. If you have younger kids you may want to start a family blog, maybe if you travel by RV or boat a lot. This way friends and family can experience your adventures too. (I know, I'm a pretty smart kid.)
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