 | ON: Content is age-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. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
ElfYourself
Common Sense Media says
Create a dancing elf version of yourself.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that on ElfYourself users can upload an image and create a dancing elf video without registering or entering any personal information. You can also email the video to acquaintances by just entering your email address and the recipient's email address. However, to save your elf video, you'll need to click on a link sent to your email to validate your account. Once you've validated your account, you're asked to provide additional information -- including first name, a password, date of birth, country, and zip code. The site's terms of service require users to be age 14 or older, so parents would need to do the elfing for younger kids.
Is it any good?
ElfYourself by OfficeMax -- which is powered by the eCard-based site JibJab -- lets users create up to five elves using personal photos that will dance in a brief video to hip-hop, country, or other types of music. The site is simple to use: You just upload a JPEG or PNG photo from your computer or Facebook account, or use one taken with your webcam. You can zoom and rotate the photo to make it fit as the elf's face and choose how you'd like your elf to dance, surf, or sing.
If you'd like to send the video to someone or watch it at a later date, you'll need to enter your email address (which will garner you a few e-mails from the site, JibJab, and OfficeMax). If you'd like to download the video to your phone or computer, it'll cost you $4.99. A banner ad also encourages users to order mugs, a DVD with eight versions of your elf self dancing, and other items with your elf image on them. However, if you just want to visit the site and create and view an elf video, you're in for a bit of holiday cheer: You don't need to enter any personal information -- and you can watch it as many times as you'd like in one sitting for free.
Online interaction: Users can share their elf video via Twitter or post it to their Facebook wall or a friend's wall with a quick click. However, you can't friend or meet people on the site.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about why you might be concerned about uploading a photo of yourself to a website -- even if it won't be posted anywhere public?
What does it mean if a website says it owns the rights to all images used on its site? How might the site use your picture to promote itself?
What kinds of pictures are OK to upload to a website? Aside from the obvious stuff -- bad hand gestures, etc. -- what kinds of things shouldn't you upload to a site because it might be inappropriate or infringe on someone else's privacy? Parents, for more tips on keeping kids safe online, check out our article on online privacy.
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- Teens & kids
AGE
What? Age 14 and up??
What is this? Age 14+? This is perfect for any age! This is a great thing to do for a family Christmas E-card or something!
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Kid, 10 years old
January 29, 2011
AGE
Expert review FAR from truth
WHAT THE HECK! 14+? ANYONE WHO CAN GO ON THE COMPUTER CAN DO THIS!
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Kid, 10 years old
May 15, 2011
AGE
Insane, all ages!
Its a great site, used this a while ago and love it, its fun for everyone.
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AGE
Family Fun
My children always enjoy making elf videos on the website. I don't see the problem with even my three year old on it. None of my kids have a facebook ecxept for my teenager who doesn't post pictures of herself and the family. People are also over-reacting about the OfficeMax add. Why would a child desire anything they sell there? I don't understand it. This website is perfectly safe.
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Kid, 10 years old
March 24, 2011
AGE
Original, created content gets the family into the holiday spirit.
ElfYourself is an Original Website, with almost no concerns.People can put their faces on the computer and turn themselves into elfs.Just about every video is funny, and it never gets old.Safety is not a problem, since it lets you have fun, and you can share it with your friends on Facebook and Twitter.Although they say you can't put any pictures of nudity and violence, the pictures are not monitored, so you can make an offensive elf.The website is powered by JibJab and has a link to the Office Max website.Videos always begin with ''Office Max'' on the screen, followed by ''JibJab'' on the screen and then the video begins.The website is all for fun and gets you in the holiday spirit, so when Christmas is near, and you want to send your relatives and friends a video of you and your family,this is the website for you.(NOTE:Only powered from November-January).
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Kid, 11 years old
December 21, 2010
AGE
What?
Great Website . Kids do need to be careful but still fun(ny) website you shall love it
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AGE
made me laugh!!!!!1
really funny! I made a video of my friends as elfs and put it on facebook. Its a fun filled website that will amuse the whole family!
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| Genre: | Creating |
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