KidZui (http://www.kidzui.com)

common sense media says

Kids' browser features safe, prescreened sites.


parents & educators say
  • 33% say they noticed product placement

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this new version of KidZui doesn't contain any social features -- kids' activities are confined to browsing a network of prescreened sites and playing pre-approved games. KidZui does a good job of screening out sites with sex, violence, and bad language, but parents may wish that the featured sites were more educational and less commercial. (Kids who have a "classic" KidZui account can continue to use that version of the browser.)

Educational value: Kids can find lots of useful info by browsing categories or searching terms -- although they'll find a lot of commercial sites in addition to educational ones.
Positive messages: Parents may object to how the browser recommends content based on the child's gender (e.g. fashion and dolls for girls, sports for boys). Most of the featured content is related to popular franchises and brands, such as Barbie and Disney.
Violence: Content depends on the child's age. A 10-year-old, for example, may see the trailer for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (with explosions, fights, etc.) and play games with mild cartoon violence.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: There's one ad mixed in with the featured content on the browser, and many of the sites kids can visit have ads.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Privacy & safety: Mostly private. Kids don't interact with other users. Parents provide an email address when downloading the browser. Parents can control whether the browser launches when the computer is started, operates in full-screen mode, and requires a password to exit. Parents enter their child's age, which determines the content they can view. They can receive weekly reports on what sites kids have visited.

More on KidZui

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about the advantages of using a kid-friendly browser instead of a regular search engine to find age-appropriate content. What are the benefits of having browsers, search engines, and applications designed just for kids? How can you tell which sites you can trust?

  • Families can also talk about respecting and protecting privacy. Why would parents need to know what sites kids are looking at?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
KidZui's recently launched "K2" browser gives young surfers a good opportunity to get their feet wet exploring the web -- and gives parents the security of knowing that their kids won't stumble across any R-rated music videos or super-violent shoot-'em-up games. The focus on featuring sites with a commercial bent -- from toys to TV shows -- may irk some parents, but kids can get a more educational experience by using the search function to find fun sites about animals, astronomy, or whatever else piques their interest. While the new KidZui's parental controls are not quite as robust as the classic version, the site does a reliable job choosing age-appropriate content.

This review was written by Susan Yudt
 
 

Review It

 

Review KidZui





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What parents & educators say

5
Based on 12 parent & educator reviews:
  • 33% say they noticed product placement

Most useful reviews by all members

isaiahcalvin
parent of 5 year old
 
Really like it and works well with the firefox browser

fflala98
parent
 
Perfect For Any Kid!
I love it. You can decorate your own background and other cool things. There are so many you can't explain.

claire.k.alt
parent of 5 and 7 year old
 
Too many ads
Too many ads. Everytime something is loading there is a ad to look at while you wait. inevitably, my kids click the ad and never actually get to a site...just jump through ads. haven't found a way to block ads.

katybug2000
parent of 10 and 12 year old
 
safe surfing
My kids loved the free website so much had to buy the upgraded version. This is the only way my kids are allowed to surf. Love the reports that tell me what my kids are doing.

Jayza
kid, 13 years old
 
Very good.
Very good. It's safe. The only problem is when you want cool things, you'll need to pay.

slovesdogs2000
kid, 11 years old
 
OK
Pretty cool. Parents you will like it so will your kids. It could just frustrate your kids with the extremely long loading and earning "points" for "levels".

blondehotmama
parent of 4 year old
 
Can't get my Kid Off of Kidzui
I love Kidzui because once my 4 year old gets on it, she can easily surf the web by category and subjects that are only interesting and appropriate for her age group. Keeps me from having to search in Google for each game title etc. Also, while she's on it by herself I don't have to worry about her going on to my PC and hitting a wrong button that could hurt my computer. I think this is truly a great product that keeps your kid safe online and frees up a moms time to get some laundry done.

bh150
teen, 14 years old
 
Really?
ok so this crap about it giving it bases some info based on gender, but i've never seen a boy that likes barbie so seriously?

Cazgraceoncazmo
kid, 10 years old
 
boring
OK boring..........

ChinaPuppy9
kid, 10 years old
 
BORING with a capital B
I HATE IT BORING BORING BORING nothing fun age 2 to 5 worst thing ever.I hate it. I hate it. No chat games no anything. NO FUN

jakethesnake100
kid, 11 years old
 
great for kids kids over 13 may find it boring
this is good because it is made for kids, and if you type somthing in thats bad, it says kidzui wolnt let you go tho this place, but your parents can enable you to do it, or somthing like that.

Diana_2033
kid, 13 years old
 
Great for kids not for little kids
Sometimes i find my little seing content before he is old enough to see it

mommy_chu
parent
 
good for both parents and kids
love it

rmichelle85
educator and parent of and 4 , 5 , 12 , 14 year old
 
it has ads

10804
kid, 11 years old
 

handmadecharlotte
parent of and 2 , 4 , 6 , 8 , 11 year old
 

marryfarry
teen, 16 years old
 
perfect for kids, fun game contents, and it can be educational
Great service. It is definitely child-friendly. I actually use it. It can be quiet fun. I love all the dress up games which are in full screen. :)

HamroGirl
kid, 12 years old
 
Perfect for young curious kids but not for older kids
I don't really like KidZui because it is boring and useless. It is slow with loading and doesn't allow many perfectly safe videos and sites!

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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