 | 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. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Starbright World
Common Sense Media says
Social network provides support to seriously ill teens.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this safe, supportive social network is a virtual place for seriously ill teens to come together and find a sense of community. Here, teens with life threatening or chronically ill medical conditions can connect with each other through moderated chat rooms, profiles, and bulletin boards. Whether they’re in the hospital or holed up at home, teen users will discover a wealth of activities such as contests, polls, videos, and games to help pass the time -- and a community of supportive kids to look to and lean on, including kids who share the same diagnosis or who are undergoing similar procedures. Created by the Starlight Children’s Foundation, the site is a tool (in a very large toolbox) that the foundation uses in its mission to improve the lives of children affected by serious illness and life-altering injuries.
Is it any good?
Being a teenager is tough enough already. Saddle a child with a serious illness, and the rigors of doctor visits, hospitalizations, and treatment can strip kids from friends, favorite pastimes and social activities. StarbrightWorld provides a private, safe place for teens to congregate and commiserate with others who relate and empathize. Straightforward and frank, illness is acknowledged -- not sugarcoated -- and members are treated with respect and dignity. Users will find a wealth of ways to reach out for help and support as they’re navigating their illness. A simple search can connect teens who share the same diagnosis or who are undergoing the same treatment. Specialized “vent chats” give users the chance to rant about anything on their minds, all under the guidance of a mental health expert. For teens with a serious illness, StarbrightWorld provides a place where they’re never alone.
Online interaction: Teen members will find abundant social interaction and activities --
chats, clubs, games, collecting friends, and more -- but the biggest
benefit may be the supportive network created on the site.
What families can talk about
How social networks can create a sense of community and compassion among different groups of people. How do you think teens who are ill feel when they discover an online resource like this? What other websites help provide support for people?
Why it’s important for this website to remain private and only for those who are seriously ill. Why do you think privacy matters to the people who create the site and who use it?
How staying connected has become such an integral part of life for kids. Ways technology helps keep kids who are ill connected to their friends, family and school. Would you deal with your illness differently if you didn’t have digital tools to stay in touch?
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- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
It's been great :)
I'm 15 and a member. It's absolutely amazing. I can always go in and get support from kids my age who are going through the same thing as I am, and it's great because you can't always talk to your healthy friends about it - they just don't get it. But everyone at SBW understands.
Yeah, vivendi is mentioned a lot, because they are sponsoring it, but that never really bugs me - I don't even know what vivendi is - I've never looked into it.
As far as safety goes, you can give out your information- facebook, email, even phone number, in a whisper or private chat or private message. But really, you can do this in many other ways on the internet. And we're teens, we know how to be safe. And through the registration process, they eliminate all the creepers. You gotta be legit to join.
It's great - I especially love the live streaming chat - I can talk to teens like me anytime I want to. And, good news, parents! There is an adult moderator in every chatroom making sure everything is rated PG and everyone is playing nice. :) Safe, supportive, and fun.
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AGE
Everything a Sick Teen Needs
This website is the perfect fit for a teen like me with a chronic illness. When I joined, I was welcomed with open arms to teens who were curious about my rare disease. The teens on here are supportive, and always have great advice. I give this website a 10/10 in awesomeness.
For parents who are concerned about safety, the website does ask for your address, but will not use this information except to send your teen prizes won in contests. SBW is always monitored by at least one chat host that will kick teens out for a small period of time if they begin breaking rules. We are not allowed to share our last names, addresses, or phone numbers. Starbright World is a safe haven for seriously or chronically ill teens, and will continue to be so.
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AGE
Great for teens in need!
As the parent of 1 member and 1 former member (as the age limit was reached) I can personally tell you all that Starbright World did more than any doctor or hospital ever did to keep the spirits of my children up, especially during the hardest times. Having to be hospitalized from weeks and months at a time, and having been in hospitals that both had access to SBW and those who did not, there was a profound difference in the kids mental states.
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| Genre: | Social Networking |
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