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Sumo Paint 2.0 (http://www.sumopaint.com/home/)

common sense media says

Great image-editing tool for all ages; skip the interaction.

parents & educators say
  • 33% say violence is an issue
  • 33% say sexual content is an issue
See all 11 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that everyone in the family can and should enjoy SUMO PAINT'S image editor. However, the site's community gallery pages are definitely not for little ones. The site's separate community pages include public galleries, interaction and profile pages ala Facebook. This feature's  dicey content includes the occasional inappropriate picture and the ability to freely interact with other members. When in dount, just enjoy the image editor, which opens in a separate window, and ignore the shared content pages all together.

Educational value: Kids can get hands-on experience in computer assisted design and photo editing -- everything from basics like how to apply color to more elaborate tricks like using filters and layers to create a professional and polished finished product.
Positive messages: The creators of the site wanted to allow anyone to express themselves and create art without having to study the subject for many years or invest in costly photo editing software.
Violence: Pictures of guns, swords and fighting, along with bloody images can be found in the gallery of user submitted content.
Sex: Although it takes some hunting and use of the search field to find, users can locate pictures that show bare butts and fully exposed breasts. These user-submitted pictures are definitely in the minority within the gallery, but are still there for all to see. It is common to see art that includes kissing, but nothing too sexual.
Language: A few of the images in the gallery include words like "s--t" and "bitch."
Consumerism: The free site can send out email promotions from advertisers to registered users.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Privacy & safety: Profile pages don't provide specific information on a user, except to list interests and creation activity. Only an email account is needed for registration.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Sumo Paint 2.0

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about experimenting with technology. Are you intimidated to try new programs or do you dive right in? How do you think technology helps you to express yourself? Do you think there will still be a need to learn how to draw and paint if computers can help us to mimick these talents so easily? Is there value in learning how to draw and design away from the computer?
  • On this site users can post their creations and recieve feedback on the content. How would you react if someone criticized your work? Do you think it is wise to open yourself up to the opinions of millions of users or should you reserve sharing your pieces with people you know who support you? How can online criticism veer into cyberbullying territory?
  • Because there are social networking elements on this site, it's important to know some safety rules for using interactive sites like these. What is information that's safe to share, and what info is off-limits? At what age is it Okto begin interacting on social networks?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Move over Photoshop, SUMO PAINT lets you in on all the effects that up to now have been reserved for the pros, or those who wanted to drop a few hundred bucks on imaging software. With this site you can do it all, from painting a pretty picture to creating mesmerizing effects with tools like the symmetry brush and kaleidoscope filter. These tools are sure to bring out the kid in everyone. Forget about the possibilities for wowing audiences with school reports, cartoons and professionally done design work, this online application is just plain fun to experiment with. The computer app does all the work, making you look like a design pro without even trying.

Online interaction: Users can post comments on profile pages that exhibit artwork. Sometimes (though rarely) users harshly criticize pieces. The profile pages are like social networking profiles and users can collect "contacts" like friends, but the only way to connect is on the profile page.

This review was written by Jacqueline Rupp
 
 

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What parents & educators say

12
Based on 3 parent & educator reviews:
  • 33% say violence is an issue
  • 33% say sexual content is an issue
  • 33% say language is an issue
Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

puper15
adult
10
 
um i did it and my young bro did it to but he kinda didnt get how to do it so i have to say 10+
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helped me decide (16) | had useful details (15) | read my mind (17)
chunkypuff
kid, 12 years old
8
 
A fun site to use
A great site where you can draw on your computer. you can draw any picture you want.
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helped me decide (15) | had useful details (14) | read my mind (17)
bobcomics
teen, 14 years old
10
 
Kind of hard to understand but it is worth it once you do.
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helped me decide (16) | had useful details (13) | read my mind (17)
cali905
teen, 13 years old
12
 
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helped me decide (15) | had useful details (14) | read my mind (16)
Gilson
parent of and 9 , 12 , 16 year old
17
 
Not for Kids!
Personally it's pretty fun for me but definitely NOT for the kids.
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helped me decide (16) | had useful details (13) | read my mind (16)
RedMelD
parent of and 5 , 11 , 13 year old
10
 
Fun for the entire family
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helped me decide (16) | had useful details (11) | read my mind (17)
ParamoreFan09
teen, 15 years old
9
 
It's really fun!
I saw commomsense's review on this so i checked it out, and it's really fun! its like free photoshop but easier to figure out and fun to use. I'm looking forward to figuring out more of the features! my brand new account is ParamoreFan09. Try it out!
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helped me decide (14) | had useful details (17) | read my mind (13)
kitkat3798
teen, 13 years old
10
 
Cool! I could spend hours on there!
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helped me decide (14) | had useful details (15) | read my mind (14)
Myxboxliveisro ...
teen, 15 years old
7
 
Fun for anyone that likes online art!
This isn't a really bad game unless you look at the gallery it is very fun and i recommend trying it! Oh and the paintbrush is so awsome! :]
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helped me decide (10) | had useful details (13) | read my mind (15)
packersfan124
teen, 15 years old
10
 
Perfect for those who understand how to use it.
This is by far the best image creator/editor I have ever used. The amount of tools and brushes is amazing plus you can layer your masterpiece to edit specific parts of your picture. The talent of some of the artists in the sumo paint community also astounds me. The fact that you can remix these works of art just adds to the fun. Other people can remix your art if you are a member (which is free) and if you allow people to through your personal settings. There is also the sumo store where you can buy others peoples art on canvas all the way to a postcard but overall I just love the fact that on this site it feels as if the possibilities are endless.
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helped me decide (10) | had useful details (14) | read my mind (13)
RachelB.
teen, 14 years old
11
 
The best of the best.
Great! The whole quality of the website is superb! It has tons of amazing tools and brushes and it has a very detailed manual on how to use them! One of my favorite websites after just joining!
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helped me decide (9) | had useful details (9) | read my mind (11)

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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