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  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 6, age appropriate for kids over 8; suggested age 8.

  • Is it any good?

    2.0

  • Common Sense says

    Breadth, not depth, makes safe tween site fun, for a while.

On this site kids can:   buy stuff, enter contests, listen to music, set goals

Why We Rated This on for Ages 8 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    The site is a light mix of YouTube movie and game trailers and short, peppy articles. Some of the advice could be better thought out. For instance, rather than educate tweens of both sexes about healthy weights and foods, kids are told to cut down on French fries and tween girls are encouraged to form their own supportive "weigh (sic) watcher" groups. The most educational part of the site is the Amazon store, where kids can download free eBook classics such as Treasure Island. The oddest content: a tribute page to Michael Jackson with praise for his "God-given" talent.
      

  • User-created content:

    Aside from one amateur video of a children's choir performing, we found no user-created content, no doubt in part because TweenWorld does not allow online posting.  Instead it asks kids to email in pictures and stories on various topics, which the moderators then screen and post. With requests for content on every page, the site is trying hard to drum up contributions and is currently looking for junior reporters. Eight winners who will be announced Nov. 1, 2009, will receive a digital camera and other official gear to cover "local and national assignments."

  • Messages:

    The site encourage wholesome activities such as exercising, reading, planning parties, and taking proper care of pets.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Not an issue.

  • Sex:

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    An Amazon-powered storefront tucked away in a menu at the bottom of the page offers a nice selection of kid-safe DVDs, music, electronics, books and video games.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

How safe is it?

  • Personal privacy:

    Kids are not required to register or divulge personal information. Site policy is to screen all submissions before posting and not to publish more than a child's first name, first initial of last name, state, and age or grade.  All links leading to other sites have been checked for safety and suitability.

  • Online interaction:

    Tween2Tween, a section where kids can "share, discuss, ask questions and get answers about tween life" was not yet working when we visited the site in July 2009.

  • Parental controls:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About TweenWorld

Parents need to know that this good-intentioned informational site for tweens is safe to visit but might not hold kids' interest. The various "worlds" inside the site -- 16 in all including music, games, books, crafts, and health -- are an ambitious start and do impart some helpful tips. However, content is pretty lightweight overall and the site could use a redesign including a spellcheck.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can use any part of TweenWorld as a jumping off point for a more robust discussion. For instance, how can tweens contribute to their community? What special talents do they possess that would make them an "extreme tween," a kid that sets himself apart in a positive way?
  • TweenWorld encourages kids to choose healthy menu items at McDonald’s and Burger King. Discuss how kids can eat more healthily by avoiding those establishments altogether.   Read our advice on junk food chains that hawk "healthy foods."
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