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In the Fab Lane (http://www.inthefablane.com/)

common sense media says

Safe, positive tween site doles out advice -- and ads.

parents & educators say
See all 6 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this tween lifestyle magazine combines celeb gossip, fashion advice, and social networking in a seemingly safe package. But although the site is free, much of the content is actually advertising in the disguise of editorial. And while users are in control of content they receive from other members, users are unrestricted in what they are able to write on their profile page.

Educational value: Book reviews and quizzes offer up a few educational tidbits, but the main thing tweens will get schooled on at this site relates to teen angst and social issues.
Positive messages: Although the site does cover celebrities and fashion trends, there is also advice from trained medical professionals who offer support and advice on adolescent issues, both physical and psychological with the overall message that it's important to take care of your health (not just your appearance). Kids can also learn about ways to handle cliques and peer pressure while
being encouraged to try new things, like sports and the arts.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: The Web site pledges that they "do not sell anything" and that's true to a point, except when you get to the advertising on the site. Retail clothing sites like Jessica Simpson Kids and Shabby Apple along with media promotions for Epic Records and teen-targeted books are all advertisers and get promoted by the site on the homepage. This makes it  tricky for users to tell the difference from the editorial.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Privacy & safety: Users are monitored to try and keep the membership clean. Users can only communicate with approved friends When a visitor under 13 wants to become a user she needs to register and provide her parent's email address. Parents are sent approval emails and can ask for profiles to be deleted at any time. 
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on In the Fab Lane

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about how to recognize advertising. On this Web site, it's really hard to tell what's an ad and what's not. What are some clues that Web content is advertising? Why do you think companies don't come right out and say when they are trying to sell you something?
  • On this site you can make friends by searching members by their interests. Do you think this is a good way to make friends? Are the friends you meet online as close to you as the friends you talk to offline?
  • Families can talk about tween issues. Do Web sites, like this help you through some of your issues or concerns relating to your body and self esteem? Would you prefer to talk to someone close about your problems or is it safer and less embarrassing to read advice online?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
IN THE FAB LANE sounds like a site that might be blinged out and celebrating expensive lifestyles of the rich and famous. But the tween site is actually fairly grounded with the advice it doles out. The profile pages offer a somewhat safer social networking experience than larger sites like Facebook. The biggest problem with Fab Lane is its decision to become essentially an advertising tool for businesses looking to reach the tween age. In the least, advertising should be clearly labeled, rather than disguised as real content as it is now.

Online interaction: The message forum, known as Blab is a heavily moderated feature that only allows for preapproved messages to be posted. You can make friends with other users by using a search tool that matches users up by interests, geographic location (you can search by state), and gender. Once two users agree to be friends they can send unrestricted messages to each other. These messages then appear on the recipient's profile page.

 

This review was written by Jacqueline Rupp
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

FabSkull
kid, 10 years old
8
 
perfect for tweens 8 and over
I am going to try this site out
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helped me decide (6) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (3)
rockenrose21
teen, 16 years old
9
 
I LOVE this site is awesome for 9 + users! It teaches u how to be confident and not in that way. I have an account and i chat with my friends when i can and my neighbor has one too! If ur child is homeschooled or in public school, this is the perfect site for them. U won't get bullied, the safety is really good!! Some adult language is used, but it's a very low worry.
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helped me decide (2) | had useful details (5) | read my mind (4)
purplexmonster
teen, 15 years old
9
 
Love it!
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helped me decide (5) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (3)
ShopLikeAnna
adult
9
 
Thank you for the review! I would just like to say that InTheFABLane's editorial content is actually editorial, not advertising in disguise. FAB does not get paid by any of the companies on the site, not for the books, the vendor spotlight or anything else we happen to mention. We have made no advertising revenue. We honestly just think a lot of this stuff is cool and wish to pass it along whether it's a cool dress or a great book. We strive daily to make the site a little more educational and a little more safe every day so thank you!!
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helped me decide (3) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (3)
momisita910
teen, 13 years old
7
 
This website has been shutdown by the owner!
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helped me decide (2) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (3)
kaelyn111
teen, 16 years old
13
 
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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