My Secret Circle (http://www.mysecretcircle.com)
common sense media says
Invitation-only social network limited to real-life friends.
parents & educators say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this private social networking site -- actually a program that loads only when a special USB key is plugged into the computer -- is super secure. A completely closed environment, My Secret Circle is invisible to the rest of the Internet and has no links to other sites. The only people who can see a child's profile are real-life friends who have been given a set of numbers to type into their own copy of the program. My Secret Circle doesn't have the breadth of features or the richness of, say, Miss O & Friends, a real Web site where girls from all walks of life can meet. However, it does give tweens a cute gadget to show off and a safe place online to hang out with BFFs, including a cool voice chat option with headset. Parents just need to make sure girls don't give in to the temptation to use the product as a social weapon.
Educational value:
Journal writing and decorating photos provide a creative outlet.
Violence:
Not applicable.
Sex:
Not applicable.
Language:
Not applicable.
Consumerism:
There are no ads, but kids have to spend an extra $14.99 for a headset with special USB cap in order to use one of the main features on the site, voice chat.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
Not applicable.
Privacy & safety:
Far more stranger-proof than other social networks, the site restricts members to friends to whom the child has given a unique, one-time-use-only code. The site is completely invisible to the online world and kids can't leave to browse other parts of the Web. Inside the site, users can lock their journal entries.
Parents must purchase a special My Secret Circle USB key in order for kids to use the site.
More on My Secret Circle
Review It
Most useful reviews by all members
CrazyBlu4Eva
kid, 10 years old
kid, 10 years old
First time to see a girly social networking site.
I even haven't tried it yet.But after I downloaded the "quick-start" guide and read it.The site looks interesting.So colorful.It said that you can have your own "Diva"(Avatar for "My Secret Circle").Even the games.I love games.
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happybear9240
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
I think its a little young for about 10+
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soccermagnet44
parent of 10 year old
parent of 10 year old
Perfect
it is what every kid should have!
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zedada
parent of 6 and 10 year old
parent of 6 and 10 year old
Not so sure about this one at all
I wasn't able to adequately review this site as you need to buy it at Walmart or Target and can't get it online. However, while it may be a step-up from some other social network sites, with its security issues, it seems to promote secrecy and exclusionary behaviour which are not things I want to promoted by kids. The instructions to parents did little to make me feel positive about the site and the promotion of things like BFF just seemed silly. So if my daughter decides she wants to use this site, our family will have to discuss at length and likely she will have to get with her own money. However, we do let our son use facebook (although obviously I have concerns with facebook), with significant guidance and discussion and a completely closed account.
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girlpowrocks
kid, 11 years old
kid, 11 years old
NOT GOOD TO HARD ??
i don't think .... its really hard to upload all these hard stuff for girls
i bett its a reall good website for girls
but u have to do HARD stuff
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