Teen Ink (http://www.teenink.com)
common sense media says
Creative, supportive forum for teens to share their work.
parents & educators say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this outlet for teen creativity is a safe, supportive environment for kids to express themselves through words and art. With thousands of teen-created submissions to read and view, there's the potential for sensitive or mature subject matter, but the material here is pre-screened for inappropriate language or content and the result is extremely clean creative content.
Educational value:
Through example, this site teaches teens to recognize good examples of creative writing and artistic expression. The mission of The Young Authors Foundation (the group behind the site, magazine, and series of books) is to preserve young peoples’ sense of self-worth by listening to contributors and providing a forum in which teens can express themselves. Teens who visit the site benefit by recognizing that they are not alone in their situations, feelings and experiences.
Violence:
With the sheer quantity of original written content in the fiction and non-fiction sections, there are certain to be some instances of violence (concocted or real), but most are mild or alluded to. A drunken frat boy breaks down a door. A parent yells menacingly at a teenager. A sibling dies in an accident.
Sex:
All submissions are reviewed and screened by the editors, and the content is highly scrutinized for its appropriateness. As one would expect from teen writing and art, there are pieces devoted to relationships, flirting and sensuality, but the heavily monitored submissions are mild and appropriate for its audience.
Language:
Some of the written submissions contain occasional mild swearing, but because the work is screened for its appropriateness, all curse words are not spelled in their entirety. S- -t, damn, hell are common but used within the context of the fiction, non-fiction, or poetry.
Consumerism:
The site has several Google ads on each page, each promoting something “teen” related such as a “12-step program for troubled teens” or “parenting tips for teens.” There are also several small display ads touting other Teen Ink products including the print magazine and various online writing courses. Some brand names and products may appear within the individual submissions.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
There are occasional references to drinking, smoking, and drugs in the written submissions, but they are most often framed in a negative light (i.e. drunk college boy makes a fool of himself and quiet sober boy gets the girl).
Privacy & safety:
Kids use pen names or their first name and last initial, along with the name of their city and state. It's possible that they could disclose their identity, although the site's extensive privacy policy discourages it.
More on Teen Ink
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Most useful reviews by all members
Aubrey123
teen, 16 years old
teen, 16 years old
What don i do on this web site
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originality95
teen, 16 years old
teen, 16 years old
Writers and Readers Will LOVE!
I found out about Teen Ink from my local library. I love reading their magazine, and submitting my own work on their website. I'm also on their Student Advisory Board, and am glad to have such a great website to head to to read other teens writing, and post my own. It's a very safe website, that I trust when using. I don't find any problems with the work, occasionally you'll see a swear word, or something "sexually" related but the writing is very well thought out and for the most part positive. I definitely recommend The website and the magazine!
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kk-gothgirl-kk
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
Teninks Family
Hey. I chose this name beause it is the same as my teenink one. I get on teenink and I love it. You post your writing and get open and honest reviews. I am a poet and people comment on my stuff honestly, and say that it's good. You can even chat with other teens. This is a site ONLY for teenagers. My boyfriend gets on, his friends get on. Teenink is a site for teens to post their writing, talk about problems and just randomly talk to our big happy "family." I hope you let your children join because we welcome new members with warm welcomes and tell who we are, our ages, and about us. Then we ask about them.Thank you.
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