| 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. |
Parents need to know that this site was created by the International Food Information Council to get families excited about -- and actually practicing -- healthy lifestyles. With practical tips, easy-to-understand articles, fun games, and kid-friendly recipes, the site is entirely geared towards the importance of being active, eating well, and maintaining emotional well-being. Younger kids will need some supervision using the food section, as there are few warnings about kitchen safety.
Don't hold the fact that Kidnetic is a Web site against it. This is one site firmly grounded in reality, rather than cyberspace. Encouraging kids to play hopscotch, do jumping jacks, and cook up a yummy dish AWAY from the computer is an admirable goal, and the site achieves it through kid-friendly language and colorful and funky
graphics. Recipes are designed to appeal to kids with names like Blood and Guts
Soup and Brewed Monkey Brain Stew (which thankfully contains no simian
gray matter). A lot of the exercise tips are things kids can do very easily, like the around-the-house scavenger hunt. With its emphasis on "do now" activities, don't be surprised to see your child hopping around on one leg next to the computer.
Online interaction: Because the site is designed to get kids playing together in real life, there are no opportunities for online interaction. Kids can connect with their parents via the Kidnector email messenger service, but that's the extent of interactive capabilities.
How much time does each family member spend in front of a screen each day? In contrast, how much time do you spend doing physical activity daily? Read our Tips for a Healthy Media Diet to find out how you can keep things in balance.
Do you think unhealthy foods are marketed more to kids than adults? Read our Junk Food Ad Tips to learn how to avoid falling for clever food advertising.
Do you think you are a healthy weight right now? If not, how did you base your decision? Check out the Girls and Body Image Tips and the Boys and Body Image Tips.
| Genre: | Educational |
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