LiveJournal

Review

Common Sense Media says

Share thoughts with a select few -- or the entire world.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

Find out more

Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

Find out more

Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that LiveJournal is a site that merges social networking with blogging. With more 16 million journals around the world, topics can range from Lindsey Lohan sightings to historical poems about politics -- and can sometimes contain iffy violent or sexual content, or strong language. Some entries are very personal and others are quirky and creative. The site allows users to create profiles, (similar to Facebook) where people can "friend" one another and share photos along with other information about their personal interests. Once a profile is created, people can begin their personal journals and are encouraged to express themselves freely. There are also a variety of communities that people can join to engage in discussions about personal interests. These communities are not chat rooms, but pages where people can comment on different topics.

  • Positive messages3
    This is a platform that allows people to embrace freedom of expression without receiving negative criticism. Some content posted can be disturbing, but most journals you'll come across are upbeat and fun. Comments made on posts are generally positive.
  • Violence3
    Some journal writers discuss very personal things such as cutting themselves (a form of self-injury); some games also contain violent themes.
  • Sex4
    Some journals cover sexual topics, such as "Vagina Pagina" or "Periodsex"; some games include women showing cleavage and midriffs.
  • Language4
    The site encourages freedom of speech, and there are members who use words such as "s--t" and "f--k."
  • Consumerism4
    There are many ads as well as trackers on the site. Users can pay to upgrade to ad-free accounts (or can gift them to others), and also can pay for additional userpics. The site also sells virtual gifts -- such as 99-cent bear hugs or cupcakes -- and real merchandise such as t-shirts, mugs, and posters.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking3
    Stories include people referencing smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol.
  • Privacy & safety3
    Users control their privacy settings and have the option to make their profiles and journal entries visible only to those they know. Personal information does not need to be disclosed to join the site and is only asked for when applying for jobs in the "Jobs" section; this information is only used to respond to applicants. However, users can "friend" one another and send each other private messages. Users must be 13 or older.
CloseExpand to see more details

Is it any good?

 

The Webby Award-winning site LiveJournal is one of the most popular blogging sites worldwide. With authors writing from all over the globe, users can interact with and learn about people from various cultures. LiveJournal encourages users to be as creative as possible by providing custom backgrounds and photos for personalizing journals, and posting thought-provoking questions to help with writer's block. Special-interest journals act as "how to" guides and give a variety of information on handmade gifts, traveling, cooking, running marathons, and many other topics.

Because LiveJournal is a blogging site that encourages freedom of speech, there is no guarantee that risque or mature themes will not be discussed. However, as a platform it has done a relatively good job of separating itself from cyberbullying and negative online interaction, as users tend to remain respectful and supportive of one another and the content posted.

Sign Up Message
Sign up for our weekly newsletter
Each week we send a customized newsletter to our parent and teen subscribers. Parents can customize their settings to receive recommendations and parent tips based on their kids’ ages. Teens receive a version just for them with the latest reviews and top picks for movies, video games, apps, music, books, and more.
Please enter an email address.
Please check your email address for possible typos.
Sorry, you must be 13 or older to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
Sign me up!

What families can talk about

This review was written by Karen Wirsing

There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title below.
This review was written by Karen Wirsing
Genre:Blogging
This review was written by Karen Wirsing

Contact us to give us more feedback on our learning ratings.

 

Review It

Share your review with others

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.

Tell us what you think about our new Learning Ratings. We value your feedback.

About our rating system
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.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
Our child development rating guidelines

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

More writing sites
For kids who love to express themselves
Browse more websites
 

vote now

Will you visit LiveJournal?

Absolutely
Maybe
No way

Already visited it? What do you think?

I recommend it
It's a pass
 
More from Common Sense Media
Age-appropriate reviews
Top advice and articles

Been There? Tell us about it