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GirlZone (http://www.girlzone.com)

common sense media says

Web zine for teen girls could use some updates.

parents & educators say
  • 50% say there are positive messages
See all 32 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this somewhat dated Web zine for girls offers articles on health, beauty, fitness, fashion, money, life, and more. There's a strong emphasis on developing a positive body image, and there's nothing on the site you wouldn't want your kid to see. The site is part of the SheKnows.com family of Web sites, for which moms are a primary target. Advertisers on the site are targeting moms, too, with ads for cosmetics, family restaurants, grocery stores, and snack foods. The ads are the same ones you'll see on other sites on the network, such as PregnancyandBaby.com and FamilyCorner.com.

Educational value: Although somewhat out of date, the articles cover teen issues with a lot of common sense.
Positive messages: Emphasis on developing a positive body image and being yourself.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Articles and advice about dating and boys.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Ads targeting moms promote grocery stores, discount stores, family restaurants, cosmetics, and baby care products. The shopping section of the site has links to Amazon.com.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

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What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the fact that the site isn't very current. Why does that matter? Plus, many of the article topics are similar to those on the sites of other popular magazines for teenage girls. How does this site compare? Are the articles, reviews, and advice still relevant even if they're not current? Do you prefer to read teen magazines in print, online, or both?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
The idea behind GirlZone.com is good. The articles have substance, and even the fluffier topics are approached with a lot of common sense. But its format will take you straight back to Web zines from online days of yore, when the Web was strange and new. For the site to have any real appeal to teen girls who've grown up online, it's got some updating to do. There's a distinct air of abandonment: The graphics look like clip art, photographs are dated, links direct you to sites that no longer exist, and many articles and reviews give themselves away with 2002 dates.
This review was written by Denise Duval
 
 

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What parents & educators say

12
Based on 4 parent & educator reviews:
  • 50% say there are positive messages
Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

Benny95346
teen, 15 years old
2
 
Horrible for Everyone
I am speaking for my little sister, as she stopped playing this site the day after she found it and complained "Why are all the girl sites so boring? It's like we're all babies." I watched her play the website and the whole thing is based on girl stereotypes of what girls like.
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tarabelle
kid, 11 years old
2
 
boring
boring
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helped me decide (4) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (4)
BookGirl202
teen, 16 years old
14
 
Perfect for older kids, but not for tweens
i love slash hate it.
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Samantha T
parent of 12 year old
10
 
Ok site, good for girl tweens.
This website may help girls through puberty. Whoever, there is some discussion of sex.If you trust your girl enough to not look at stuff like that, that this would be fine for her.
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HungerGAMESliz ...
kid, 12 years old
2
 
horrible
horrible
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helped me decide (3) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (2)
NinjaSquadxP
teen, 13 years old
10
 
good if you wanna learn about the freaky stuff going on with your life :)
it's sort of really intense and straight to the point, so if its your "first time" on puberty talk and growing up, this may not be the most comfortable site for you. they have lots of ads and one of them was sorta sad because when i first went on the website, i'd rather not say what the ad said because it's kinda scary. so be prepared for extreme content
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abfritsch
parent of 13 year old
14
 
good info - hard to navigate
Annoying pop-ups make it hard to navigate the site.
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7887m
kid, 11 years old
12
 
12 age
If your kid isn't 12 don't let them near it.
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kid, 12 years old
6
 
IFFY for Girls
i don't like the idea of boys or men going there, only girlswhen they were smarter
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teen, 14 years old
6
 
IFFY for Girls
i don't like the idea of boys or men going there, only girlswhen they were smarter
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helped me decide (2) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (2)

kid, 11 years old
6
 
IFFY for Girls
i don't like the idea of boys or men going there, only girlswhen they were smarter
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helped me decide (2) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (2)
Mintbubblr
kid, 12 years old
11
 
Love isn't a game, Mrs.Advice.
Honestly, I went to this site myself. There are ads, mostly targeting moms. (Periods, etc) The advice is bad. The lady is just saying ''Go ask the boy out, if he says no then leave him'' Love doesn't work like that. Is this site suppose to be for little girls? They have people ask..body questions. It be kind of weird if boys were snooping around this. This site is pretty boring for kids. Just reading the same stuff about boys, and body stuff they wouldn't understand.
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Music411
teen, 14 years old
7
 
Nice For little kids, but teens and tweens boring...!
I don't really enjoy the website after five minutes I had already gotten bored!
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Lizzie 123
kid, 13 years old
2
 
I just think it is boring I think it is all boring
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adriibabe003
teen, 14 years old
13
 
it is really kewl for someone to give you advice
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vicvic40
kid, 10 years old
10
 
good for kids 10 and up and iffy for 9 yr. olds.
love it!!!!
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helped me decide (2) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (2)
ImaniiKolailat
kid, 13 years old
12
 
Perfect For Older Kids 14+ Not Great For Younger That 14
I Dont Like This Site At All. Its Boring, The Pop Ups Make Your Computer Run Slow. The Site Is Ran By A Teenager In High School. She Talks About Stuff That Parents Should Use For Help When You Have "The Talk" With Your Child.
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helped me decide (2) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (1)
shmulik98
teen, 13 years old
10
 
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
It's kinda boring...
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Anaya Marie
teen, 13 years old
12
 
I think it is for tweens and up.
I think that it is a very good website for girls to learn about themselfs and how to look at them selfs.
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MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
teen, 16 years old
15
 
I'm just saying this...you decide...
QUICK REVIEW It's good enough but nothing great...There are too many ads...Education isn't that great either. REACTION REVIEW When I got on to check it out I was shocked. The whole design of the site is very basic and not at all organized. The content is awesome...if you can find it. Of course there are certain language problems but nothing teenagers haven't heard before. There are too many links to other sites. Occasionally there are good messages for kids too like this Earth Day. ON IFFY OFF REVIEW On for ages: 15,16,17 Iffy for ages: 10,11,12,13,14 Off for ages: 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 Parental Supervision required for all the iffys. GOOD VS BAD Good: Appropriate for teens Bad: Advertising too much Good: Good messages Bad: Inappropriate for anyone younger Good: Perfect for girls Bad: Boys can get on Good: - Bad: Can buy stuff online Goods: 3 Bads: 4 5 out of ten + 3 goods - 4 bads = 4 out of 10 rating
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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
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