Kiwibox (http://kiwibox.com)

common sense media says

Teen site in need of better writing, more filters.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that although teens are encouraged not to upload profile photos containing nudity, violence, or illegal activities on this site, there's no filter to stop it; the same goes for posting swear words or inappropriate comments. All the site does to monitor activity is offer a link to submit a complaint about any images or language on a page. Teens must register for this site, which involves submitting their age, email, zip code, and first and last name to post or create a profile. During registration, you're offered the chance to get "cool stuff" from Kiwibox's partners (listed as free stuff, special offers, and more) but can opt out of it. Users are supposed to be 13 or older, but you can enter any birth date, and the site doesn't require any age confirmation from a parent or guardian. With a profile, you're able to email other users through the site's email system, and you can also add strangers as friends by sending them a request through the site. Users can tell other users that they have a crush on them using the eCupid Love Matcher by entering their email and name.

Educational value: Offers news posts about topics like politics and animal rights, but the message boards allow teens to educate each other on relationships, sex, and more.
Positive messages: Not applicable.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Users swap sex questions and answers on the site's sex message board. Users can tell other users that they have a crush on them using the eCupid Love Matcher.
Language: It's alarmingly easy to post swear words like "s--t" and "f--k" on the site's message boards and comment areas.
Consumerism: Includes a number of ads for products like tampons and new CDs -- some of which you have to close out before reading a page -- and features a number of music videos promoting new albums/songs.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Message boards and journals contain some posts about drinking and drug use.

More on Kiwibox

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about why it's important to be careful about giving out your name and email address to a Web site or to any companies that advertise on a Web site. What kind of things might they send you? What does the site get out of offering "cool stuff" from their partners? Why do you think certain products target teens?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Kiwibox.com really seems like it's trying to give teens a lot to read and react to; and the content covers interesting subjects ranging from politics to cell phone etiquette. According to the site, 100% of the editorial content is written by high school and college students. But that also means the article quality is kind of hit or miss; some read more like personal essays, and most don't list any sources for the information and advice being offered. As a result, teens may not learn a ton from every article they read.

The site also has some work to do in terms of controlling what content can be posted. For the most part, the comments on the site's articles aren't too racy, but you can easily post swear words or mean comments (which may or may not be removed later, if they're reported to site administrators). Plus some of the site's message boards -- like the sex topic board -- can get pretty graphic.


This review was written by Erin Brereton
 
 

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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