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Do Ink (http://www.doink.com)

common sense media says

Do-it-yourself animation site is supportive, safe, and fun.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Do Ink is a supportive, user-friendly art and animation site that simplifies online image-creating tools and brings together a community of young people interested in online art. Artists can then share what they create with other Do Ink users, as well as on FaceBook, MySpace, email or YouTube.

Educational value: Excellent tutorials and tools about online drawing and animation. No need to know Flash or other more complicated drawing and animation programs to use this site. Also, important information given about copyright and sharing work created online.
Positive messages: This site offfers an easy, streamlined way to create, share, and get feedback on self-created art and animation online. Its community of users supports each other's creativity and seems to keep the art generally positive and within the PG-13 or G-rating. The site's spirit is very pro-art -- even if you think you can't draw!
Violence: A few of the images include violent themes. One of the currently most popular creations is labeled "warning: violent."
Sex: None observed. But this site indicates that it is rated "PG-13" and its policy is to "remove any content that doesn't conform to PG-13 standard," but offers no guarantees that all will be indentified and removed. Since users can upload videos, it's possible they could contain sex comparable to what you'd see in a PG-13 movie.
Language: None observed, but users can include words that would be comparable to what you'd hear in a PG-13 movie.
Consumerism: Using this site is free, but virtual coins can be purchased with real money (400 for $5 or 1,600 for $20) to purchase special items, such as "premium props," from the bazaar that offer more art choices. So, while the site doesn't promote materialism, it doesn't ignore consumer culture -- or the fact that they could profit from it.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: None observed, but users are allowed to include any content that would be acceptable in a PG-13 movie, which could include mild drug or drinking.
Privacy & safety: Site asks for birthday due to age requirement, but does not post it on users profile. Avatar, location and self-description can be added to profile. No parental controls, but a contact email address is listed.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Do Ink

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about why it may be better to get involved in an online community based on a positive intertest, such as art creation on DoInk, rather than a general social networking or chat site. Read our advice on social networking.
  • Encourage your kid's creative pursuits. Watch our video Creating with Digital Media.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
This top-notch art and animation site was created by a Massachusettes-based startup company that said it likes to focus on "people, art and the new." It definitely achieves that goal wtih Do Ink. It's refreshing to see an online community that generally supports each other's work, creating and sharing new ways to use online graphics tools. Not only is it entertaining, it also provides technical training to kids interested in the art and technology of digital animation.

Online interaction: Other users can comment on and vote on the art (top vote getters get featured on the site's home page and blog).The site's editors moderate the site pretty hawkishly to ensure that the online interactions are positive or at least helpful.

This review was written by Dana Villamagna
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

Kitty_Cat
teen, 17 years old
13
 
Good Drawings, Bad Security.
Great Drawing Vector, BAD SECURITY. To make things short, this site has some.. "role plays." Can turn Sexual at some times.. People? Good sometimes, judgemental sometimes OR clingy. ( REAL STORY: Girl meets guy on site, Guy likes girl back, BOTH 13, Do role-play, Thing turn ok 'till the guy makes things sexual. (Kissing and Sex), Girl almost gives real address to guy, I give advice to girl, Girl rejects but doesn't give address away.) THE END. >:(
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was this review useful?
helped me decide (4) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (6)
inAtree
teen, 14 years old
12
 
Fun site!
I love this site! It's a ton of fun to make animations and videos and I was honestly surprised at how easy it was! Every week they have a contest called Friday Night DoInking, and that's always fun to do.
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helped me decide (4) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (3)
danni1
teen, 13 years old
10
 
I LOVE IT!!!
This site is really fun! I love it! It might be a little tedious and confusing for younger kids, but other than that, GREAT! I haven't seen anything that bad yet.
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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
Our child development rating guidelines