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Picnik (http://www.picnik.com)

common sense media says

Easy, safe photo editing site lets anyone be a design pro.

parents & educators say
See all 10 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this site is a safe outlet for kids looking to flex their creative muscle without the need to invest in expensive photo editing software. The free features should be enough for most users, but for photo-fiddling junkies who can't get enough of the picture altering tools, the yearly subscription might be a worthwhile investment. Because there are banner ads and links to social networking sites, younger users should be supervised, but teens should be safe to navigate about the voluminous library of effects.

Educational value: Kids can learn to alter and edit photos in a user-friendly environment, where actual photo files remain private and users are given free reign to experiment.
Positive messages: The "insta-thin" effect allows users to shave off a few pounds in their picture which may not send the best message to kids about body image.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Users are shown the design effects that they can't use unless they are paying members, which might tempt  visitors to want to subscribe. There are also banner ads for businesses like Sonic and ebay.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Privacy & safety: Only a birth date and email are required for creating an account, however visitors are not obligated to register and can use the online tool anonymously.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Picnik

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about safe photo posting habits. What are your family's rules for posting photos online? Can anyone see the pictures or do you make sure only select friends have access to them? What are the ground rules for what is inappropriate to post?
  • Do you feel like your photos need improvement? Do you think editing sites like this help you to show a better image online? Are you comfortable with posting pictures of yourself onlline that haven't been edited? Do you use any of the personal appearance tools, such as teeth whitening, sunless tan and "insta-thin"? Why do you think you need these touch-ups?
  • Families can talk about how photographs you see in magazines and advertising are altered. When you see a model's photo in an ad or magazine pictorial, do you understand that these pictures have been given some re-touching and models can appear thinner, more attractive and with better hair and skin because of these digital effects?
  • Families can talk about creating with digital media. How have the possibilities expanded for what you can do with photographs and videos? Kids ask your parents what photography and video recording were like when they were kids, the answers might surprise you!

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
It's hard not to get hooked on PICNIK's full line of photo features. The design of the website is so user-friendly that the process of creating fun, silly and enhanced photos is as much fun as seeing the finished product. With seasonal stickers, basic photo fixing functions like cropping and color adjustments, plus cool camera effects like the "Nightvision" and "1960s" looks, you can create endless possibilities all from one photo. And, when you're done, share your creation with just a click thanks to a multitude of links to social media and photo sharing sites.

Online interaction: Users can instantly send the enhanced pictures to Flickr, Facebook, Twitter, among other social networking sites.

This review was written by Jacqueline Rupp
 
 

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Review Picnik

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Most useful reviews by all members

CoolJul
teen, 14 years old
10
 
Great site!
It's a great picture editing website. I have one myself to, and it is 100% safe. None of your pictures are shared with the public and neither is your username. You can add effects to the pictures, add text, clipart, frames, and you can make collages. For the premium features, you have to pay the small price of $2.99 a month.
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My-nose-in-a-book
teen, 15 years old
9
 
Fun to add cool effects to everyday pics!
Its fun for kids, to put pictures on facebook and to hang stuff in their lockers that they made. It has alot of cool effect. But their is the "Insta-thin" Effect that will make you look skinnier, and im sure thats not good for a kid to be wanting to look skinnier. But other than that, its fun!
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lalagirl1234
kid, 13 years old
10
 
LOVE IT!!!
i love Picnik!!!!!!!!!!! i use it all the time to edit pictures of yself that i took it is very very very fun and useful! LOVE IT!
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ParamoreFan09
teen, 15 years old
6
 
SOOO FUN!!!!
picnik is great for sleepovers and makes great photos to hang in lockers. fun easy and free! all ages will love it so just take a look at it it will be fun.
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Augustyne17
adult
10
 
I enjoy using Picnik when I need to edit my Deviantart photos' since I do not have photoshop it allows me to upload five pictures for free and then I can edit them in almost anyway I wish. I do dislike that some of the really good items need to be purchased through an account. Other than that it's great because it makes all the difficult task that you use in photoshop so much simpler. I don't believe safety is an issue because the site does not save your work unless you have an account. There are two versions of an account; one is where you have your account but its free and then their is one for premium members which lets use everything. I enjoy using Picnik for just about any of my photographs. I don't like that their is a way to "shave off a few pounds". It does send bad messages to the younger generation that they'd look better if they were a few pounds thinner. I believe it doesn't matter, even though I do mutter a few, "I look kinda fat" a few times, I usually only do it when I'm feeling really down though and just reading that made me feel a little bad and guilty for even saying it. Other than that minor detail picnik is an ideal site for photo editing.
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SuperPrincessP ...
teen, 15 years old
8
 
Good, basic photo editor but a lot of features are NOT free.
I think Piknik is ok, but I don't use it a lot because a lot of the features are not free. The monthly membership is only $2.99 though.
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DMfanCassy
teen, 13 years old
7
 
Whoever came up with this, is a verryyy SAMRT PERSON!!!!!
This is a really great website!!!! It's very easy to use!!!! I just facebook chatted my Grandmother about it, and she was easly able to figure it out her self, and said that she's going to start using it.... and I've learned how to make colorsplashes, and It's like a new art to me!!!!
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Horselovera9
kid, 13 years old
7
 
Ages 7+ The Best
I used this for my profile pic! Its perfect and free. Its great for lockers, cards, everything! I <3 it! No inappropriate stuff what-so-ever. The Halloween stuff might be a little scary for anyone under the age of 8.
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qsdfg
kid, 12 years old
8
 
PICNIK
I think it's an extremely fun idea. You get to add all kinds of things to any picture! It's really creative.
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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
Our child development rating guidelines