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Kwedit (http://www.kwedit.com)

common sense media says

Potentially risky site lets teens experiment with credit.

parents & educators say
See all 4 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that that this innovative but potentially risky e-commerce site targets people who want to buy virtual goods or online content but don't have a debit or credit card (or don't want to use one online). Users can buy virtual goods on credit, starting with a credit limit of $5. If they pay up on time (with real cash), their credit scores rise and their credit limits increase. If not, they can have their credit privileges revoked but are off the hook for the the money. The site states that users must be 13+, but there's nothing that prevents younger visitors from signing up.

Educational value: The site could help parents teach kids important lessons about credit when they're young.
Positive messages: Parents may be split on whether this site is a smart, safe way to introduce teens to credit ... or if the lack of real-life consequences teaches them that they can get away with breaking their financial promises. Either way, if parents want to use Kwedit, they'll have to be really clear about what kind of message they want to give their kids about the pitfalls (and positives) of credit.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: The site partners with 7-Eleven and several online vendors (such as gaming sites) to implement a system that allows users to buy virtual goods now, and send real money later.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Privacy & safety: None. Parents can only see what their teens are buying if teens "Pass the Duck" to them.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Kwedit

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about whether this site offers useful lessons about credit -- or teaches teens that promises can be broken without consequences. What do you think about the "Pass the Duck" feature, which lets ask users someone else to pay their debt?
  • Families can also talk about the controversy generated by the site's former mascot, a duck named Kwedit. (He's still in the logo but has been removed from the rest of the site's branding.) Do you think that Kwedit was used specifically to target kids, as some sources have claimed?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Kwedit could be the Internet's next big thing -- or a total flop. Users can buy inexpensive virtual goods online (like virtual cat chow for their Foo Pets) with Kwedit Promise and then pay off their debts with Kwedit Direct -- either by printing out a prepaid mailer and sending cash to Kwedit, or by paying in-person at 7-Eleven stores. It's a fairly convenient transaction -- if you're comfortable sending cash through the mail. But will users actually pay? It all depends on if they care enough about their credit limit and credit score -- and if they feel like they're bound by an honor system.

This review was written by Susan Yudt
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

Awesome_O
teen, 15 years old
13
 
Woohoo! An easier way to destroy your parental guardian's credit card!
This site is terrible. I don't see why I have to give it a single star. Trust me, you don't want your kids here. They could spend $3,000,000 on random stuff and you won't know until the bill shows up at your door.
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helped me decide (9) | had useful details (6) | read my mind (6)
NoseStuckInABook
teen, 15 years old
10
 
Eh.
Kids can use Kwedit with one click, and parents won't know until the kid actually shows them the bill. But it is good for those who don't want to pay with a credit card. I may use it sometime.
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helped me decide (6) | had useful details (6) | read my mind (4)
sk8ter922
kid, 12 years old
12
 
Its awsome! I used this before for my Foopets and I also use a gamecard.
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was this review useful?
helped me decide (2) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (6)
Guest70
kid, 12 years old
17
 
no longer exizitexts
the site no longer exsites i just notest it a minute ago
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helped me decide | had useful details | read my mind

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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
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