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ShiningStars (http://www.shiningstars.com)

common sense media says

Log in with plush toy ID; safely chat, play games.

parents & educators say
  • 38% say it's educational
See all 40 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that kids must buy a plush toy to access the features on this site. Kids earn points to access different areas of the site.

Educational value: The games are educational and offer a smidgin of information about constellations that introduce kids to the concept of the universe. Kids get to name a star and receive its exact coordinates on a certificate.
Positive messages: The site promotes a clear message of the importance of sharing and of "shining" -- essentially, being a good person. It talks about the interconnectedness of life, and how your actions affect others. The site offers ways to donate to charity. Also, kids can select only positive terms to describe their new friend, like friendly or musical.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: The chat only allows users to choose from set responses so there's no room for misuse.
Consumerism: You have to buy a plush doll to play online; TV ad plays on many pages.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Privacy & safety: Usernames are carefully monitored to make sure none are
inappropriate or give away personal information.  The only personal information the site requests is a parent's email and ZIP code for password or username
retrieval. To obtain a username,
kids have a request sent to their parent's email, which parents
must approve.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on ShiningStars

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Shining Stars is upbeat and interactive enough to hold kids' interest for some time -- items in most sections giggle and go boing, and activities require clicking and moving icons. The site's only real detriment is that bouncing back and forth between sections can prompt the site to request you to log in again -- which slows down the fun.

Online interaction: The chat only allows users to choose from canned sayings like "Hey There" and "What's Up?"

This review was written by Erin Brereton
 
 

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What parents & educators say

11
Based on 8 parent & educator reviews:
  • 38% say it's educational
Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

mag55
parent of 18 year old
17
 
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was this review useful?
helped me decide (8) | had useful details (9) | read my mind (11)
hannha montana
kid, 12 years old
 
i like it
well i love this web site even thoe i havet plated yet
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was this review useful?
helped me decide (9) | had useful details (10) | read my mind (8)
SeaMonkey76
parent
11
 
Do not buy!
The website does not work! While the plush is cute, so are many others, this was bought so my children could name a star. Very disappointing.
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helped me decide (9) | had useful details (6) | read my mind (9)
diddlydoo
adult
17
 
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helped me decide (8) | had useful details (10) | read my mind (6)
sheptizzy
kid, 9 years old
6
 
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helped me decide (6) | had useful details (7) | read my mind (11)
steven 13
kid, 12 years old
11
 
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was this review useful?
helped me decide (5) | had useful details (8) | read my mind (10)
LIZZIE 1
parent of 7 year old
8
 
LOVE IT
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helped me decide (10) | had useful details (6) | read my mind (6)
pufflefizzy
kid, 10 years old
6
 
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helped me decide (10) | had useful details (7) | read my mind (5)
xcitygal
parent of 10 year old
10
 
A complete and total rip off
The plush had a code that didn't work. We emailed the company and they never responded. My advice is don't buy these plush animals as my daughter was very disappointed that I spent $10 and she never got to use the web site.
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helped me decide (11) | had useful details (5) | read my mind (6)
plush duck hero234
kid, 11 years old
3
 
..................
Sooooooo babyish.... toys.....exspensive.... Boring.... If I were a parent, I would let my kid on webkinz as it is much better, more educational and a load more fun! (As I know!) Plus the toys on webkinz are around £4-£10 or £15 tops for a pet of the month or signiture!
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helped me decide (9) | had useful details (5) | read my mind (7)
april101
kid, 10 years old
6
 
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helped me decide (5) | had useful details (8) | read my mind (7)
beckiilollypop
kid, 11 years old
6
 
good for mchhildren
good for children!
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helped me decide (5) | had useful details (7) | read my mind (8)
!monkeyluv!
teen, 16 years old
 
sick.
This is bad. My little sister was playin on website, and all of a sudden a monkey on a star stole all her coins by hacking it. TISK TISK
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helped me decide (7) | had useful details (7) | read my mind (6)
micy24
kid, 10 years old
9
 
it is cool
i love it so mutch
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helped me decide (7) | had useful details (7) | read my mind (5)
shawnee kimbrell
kid, 13 years old
13
 
suger
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helped me decide (7) | had useful details (6) | read my mind (5)
burno
kid, 11 years old
10
 
it is a amazing
how do you sign up
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helped me decide (5) | had useful details (5) | read my mind (5)
zxcvbn
kid, 12 years old
6
 
i love shining stars! I think that shining stars is exellent!!!Do you think so to?
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helped me decide (6) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (5)
huggy
kid, 10 years old
9
 
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helped me decide (5) | had useful details (5) | read my mind (5)
randolf
kid, 12 years old
11
 
Technical Diffculty
I think that Shiningstars is a good website, but I have been having a problem getting into it for my son to play, or even register his animal.
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helped me decide (4) | had useful details (5) | read my mind (4)
awsomewebkinzgirl
kid, 12 years old
8
 
shining stars is a boring website. i got my 1rst shining star when i was 8. my shining star was a cow and he's name is otis. they don't let u spend your points on anything. there's no shop. i quit shining stars on the 2nd day. shining stars sucks. webkinz is why better then this lame-o website.
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helped me decide (4) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (3)

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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
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Our child development rating guidelines