Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this site sticks the tween label on girls as young as 6, yet some of the site's content -- like the advice column's discussion about obsessive crushes, as well as some of the games -- clearly isn't crafted for first graders. The site does encourage girls to earn up to 500 "goddess gold" pieces a day so they can buy things for their goddess. Girls can safely chat with other goddess friends who are on their invite-only list.
Families can talk about what self-esteem means. Does identifying with an online character like one of the goddesses make a girl feel better about herself? Check out the advice column together and discuss the pros and cons of asking for and taking advice from an online "expert." Talk about writing in a journal or taking self-examining, magazine-style quizzes. What's most useful in building self-knowledge and self-esteem?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Dana Villamagna
"There's a goddess in every girl," says GOGODDESS.COM. Girls start by watching a snippet about six modern goddess characters. Then they register -- with a parent's email permission for those under 13 -- and select from a girl-power list of user names and choose a symbol to identify themselves on the site. Girls can play games, chat with invited-only buddies on their list, keep a private journal, take quizzes, and enter contests. While it uses iconic goddesses like "Athena" and "Isis" to establish some stereotypical female archetypes, the site isn't new-agey: All this is intended to build self-esteem -- and to earn "goddess gold" to collect online charms and symbols for their "passport."
Fans may also enjoy AmericanGirl.com or GirlSense.com.
Reviewed: 08/20/2007
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentSome advice discusses obsessive crushes on boys. Some goddesses dress in thigh-high microminis and cutoff shirts. |
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Social BehaviorThe site promotes self-esteem and positive character traits. During registration girls must choose which gender-stereotypical goddess they're "like." |
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CommercialismGirls are encouraged to do things on the site to earn "goddess gold" pieces to buy stuff. There are currently no ads on the site, but fine print suggests it may be a tool to brand and market GoGoddess characters for future sales. |
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Educational ValueTweens can play word games, take quizzes ("Are you getting enough nature time?"), and keep a private online journal. |
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