 | 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. |
Google Buzz
Common Sense Media says
Networking site designed for adults is too open for kids.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Google’s free social networking site and messaging tool makes adding friends as easy as emailing them -- or just accepting the recommended contacts from the service itself. Google's attempt to compete with the increasingly popular Facebook offers many of the same features and network-expanding focus of Facebook. However, there is concern -- just as there is with Facebook -- over a lack of privacy controls, primarily because it automatically integrates its web-based email program, Gmail, with Buzz, meaning anyone with a gmail account becomes part of the social network. Parents, make sure your teen selects “private” settings and opts out of showing the list of people they’re following and those who are following them.
Is it any good?
Google’s social networking site has many of the same features as Facebook -- as well as similar privacy concerns. It’s easy to use, but lacks some of the polish other social sites have. Users can post information, connect, and share photos, videos, and links privately or publicly. Users need only an email address from Gmail (Google’s web-based email system) along with a public Google profile that -- at minimum -- includes a first and last name. Profiles can be expanded to include photos and additional information. Friends are added anytime you email them via Gmail, and content from friends of friends may be automatically added to a stream even if they’re not acquainted.
Online interaction: There are no filters or moderators, and everything here is an online interaction so content can run the gamut depending on the users.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about appropriate use of social networking sites and what to do if they encounter inappropriate behavior.
How to stay safe online. Even though it’s fun to share information and updates about yourself, there are some ways to protect your privacy online.
How social networks can be fun, but real life personal relationships are important, too. How is your online network of friends different from your real group of friends? How are they different? Do you share the same things with both groups? Why or why not?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
Parent
June 8, 2011
AGE
jhl
Alot like facebook
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 11 years old
March 10, 2011
AGE
Okay...
it's actually great, because if kids want to connect with friends, but aren't 13 they won't lie about their age and make a face-book. if you don't have a gmail you cannot get one. But it is kind-of lame, because your friends need to have a gmail too for you to connect with them.
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 11 years old
March 17, 2011
AGE
it's great plus if ur worried about safety make a private profile so you chose who follows you. I have one and have never had a problem if you give out ur info its ur fault u have to be careful on every site!
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 12 years old
April 6, 2011
AGE
Mini- Facebook, in a good way!
It's a good site for kids who know how to handle their we-image properly, it's like a really mini- Facebook or Twitter.
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Teen, 13 years old
April 24, 2011
AGE
Buzz isn't nearly as bad or dangerous as Facebook, and in my opinion Facebook isn't even that bad. I've have an account for two years, and my friends or I never had any problems. It's as innocent as conversation with our friends, and it would be sad if Buzz were moderated.
Was this review useful?
|
|
Teen, 13 years old
February 10, 2011
AGE
ilexisparkly3
i i had to say: IT IS NOT GOOGLES FAULT!!!! it is your sisters fault and like where was her parnets?
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 11 years old
May 27, 2011
AGE
If you trust your child, it's a go for sure
I'm not allowed to have a Facebook until I'm older, and I find Buzz a good alternative as it is much safer. You can set a bunch of security features to what's just right for you. As long as you trust your child to not follow people they don't know or anything then you are fine! It is VERY difficult to find people you don't know on Buzz as when you go onto your Gmail and click Buzz it only shows your 'Wall' and you only see posts from the people you are following and posts that you posted. The only people you may not know are maybe your cousin's, aunt's, followers or such on there and even if you did follow them it's not a safety issue if a close relative knows them well.
Was this review useful?
|
|
Teen, 15 years old
November 22, 2010
AGE
SAFTY ISSUE!!!!!!!!
i had a safty issue my aunt looked up my name and found several of my chats with my friends on the web, so i deleted my account!!
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Teen, 13 years old
June 16, 2011
AGE
mature 11-year-olds
Google Buzz is accessible to anyone with a Gmail account. Though you must be thirteen, children can easily lie about their age just to have an e-mail account with Google. I admit, I did it when I was 11. Anyways, everything posted on Buzz is created by users, so there is no guarantee everything will be appropriate for children. Just make sure your child is very mature and knows who to follow and who not to (and who can follow them) before you let them have a Gmail.
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 11 years old
July 10, 2010
AGE
it is pretty much facebook or any other website like that except kids use it
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Genre: | Social Networking |
Contact us to give us more feedback on our learning ratings.
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
