Togetherville (http://togetherville.com/)
common sense media says
Kids' social site connects to parents' Facebook friends.
parents & educators say
- 36% say there are positive messages
- 27% say it's educational
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this site is designed to be an introduction to social networking -- Facebook with training wheels, if you will. Positive features include super-safe posts that use scripted phrases, and the ability to socialize with known friends -- without stranger-danger and inappropriate posts. Parents are kept on top of all interactions and have control over the friend selection process. But because Togetherville trains kids in the ways of social networking, you'll have to think long and hard about what age you want your kids to start. Parents also need to be aware that an adult Facebook account is required for the creation of children's accounts on this site.
Educational value:
Kids can create simple works of computer-generated art and play basic games of skill. The site does help guide kids into the world of social networking.
Violence:
Not applicable.
Sex:
Not applicable.
Language:
Not applicable.
Consumerism:
Parents need to have a Facebook account to open a child's account and friends are funneled through Facebook
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
Not applicable.
Privacy & safety:
Children's privacy is very much protected, with only first names being used. However be aware that an adult Facebook account is required for the site, which may have its own privacy issues.
Parents with one glance can see everything going on with their children's accounts and even send messages to kids via the site.
More on Togetherville
Review It
Based on 11 parent & educator reviews:
- 36% say there are positive messages
- 27% say it's educational
Most useful reviews by all members
the_momma
parent
parent
Fun site for the 9 and under crowd
My younger daugher likes this site and even invited her cousins to join her. Its a bit boring for my 11 year old but she likes interacting with her younger cousins on here. Perfectly safe for lots of ages.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
Bonna
parent of 8 and 9 year old
parent of 8 and 9 year old
Social Networking Introduction
My girls are loving this site. They wanted something that would allow them interaction with their friends and we (parents) wanted something we could easily monitor and feel good about.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
livistar916
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
togetherville is awesome!
i love togetherville! i have an account and it a a great way for kids to connect with friends! you can play games, make art, watch safe youtube videos, and leave comments on your friend's profile. it is totally safe, the parents have total control over what their kids do on the site. you can't search names, and you can only see someone's profile if they are your friend.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
Zaphrodite
teen, 14 years old
teen, 14 years old
Saftey is an unnexpected issue
Well, I couldn't give you a completley honest review. I tried for a few minutes how to sign up. It was impossible. I'm usually good with computers, but this...this was bad.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
Preskitmama
parent of 8 and 14 year old
parent of 8 and 14 year old
Not quite the solution I was looking for!
Lots of potential, but it still has lots of issues. My “almost eight” year old is happy for now, but will get bored soon. You, as a parent have total control over the account and can view anything posted, but there isn’t much to post. There are only a few games for kids to play and they aren’t as inciting as the ones he sees on facebook. You are limited to “canned” responses which is good that there won’t be any inappropriate posts, but bad because your choices are pretty limiting. As soon as he’s sent or received all the responses, he will be bored with the program… I’m sure after I’ve roped in every family member I can to sign up for it and be his friend, he will drop it!
I have hope that the website creators will put some more work into this and it will take off. I really wanted a safe place for my youngest to socialize without the risks of facebook!
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
RustedFox
parent of 7 year old
parent of 7 year old
For familes that network
My wife and I have Facebook accounts and so my son was interested. When I heard an NPR review of Togetherville, I decided to give it a try and have enjoyed it. I don't feel like I have to be over my son's shoulder, approving every mouse click, since there are no 3rd party ads and I approve his friends list.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
Midnight Star1
parent of and 3 , 8 , 11 year old
parent of and 3 , 8 , 11 year old
Great for 6 and up.
We have used it for a year with no problems! Very G rated!
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
Anoif
adult
adult
Love Togetherville for my kids ages 4 and 6. They love receiving comments from their parents and grandparents online. I won't let either of them have an e-mail address so Togetherville is one way they can use the internet to communicate without being able to do anything risky. My youngest isn't reading yet, and with Togetherville that's not a problem.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
JennTheGamerMom
parent of and 3 , 8 , 10 year old
parent of and 3 , 8 , 10 year old
Love it. My 8yo second-grader uses it on a fairly regular basis to say hi to friends on their birthdays or during school holidays. Even my preschooler "uses" it; I just use it to send messages to the parents of her preschool buddies
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
Haley123
teen, 14 years old
teen, 14 years old
Great for 8+
It's pretty cool. Seriously,it gives children the freedum to chat and run the own little page while being prtected.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
ruthhill74
parent of 7 year old
parent of 7 year old
Great intro to social networking
I think this is a great website. I heard about it, and off I went to figure out if my daughter could use it. She gets to play games, and she gets to send messages back and forth to me. I'm glad I have ultimate control over it. She was very excited. She sees me on facebook all the time, and now she can get on it, too. In a matter of speaking.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
socalDad
parent of 9 year old
parent of 9 year old
A great way to introduce kids to social networking sites. Togetherville is clever in that it allows the kids to think that they have freedom to roam at will in the Togetherville virtual world, but in reality the parents are in control of who their kids can connect to and can easily view what their kids have been doing. It's a little light on the educational side, but it's great fun for kids.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
notxasj
parent of 4 and 9 year old
parent of 4 and 9 year old
Unimpressed
Have not been able to have child sign up. My printer does not currently work so unable to print form. They claim you can confirm identity by providing credit card info, which I do not have a problem providing. The problem is that it gives a message of the credit card server is currently unavailable. I have been getting this message for over a week. I have tried calling during the days and hours that claim a representative is available to speak with and only get a recording to leave a message. I then tried sending an email and it was returned as undeliverable. So unless you wish to print the verification and send via snail mail it seems pointless to try and use this website.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
An independent voice for families
Advice on the big issues
Already visited it? What do you think?
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
