 | 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. |
Wisenhimer
Common Sense Media says
Kids' health site charges for premium content.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this health-focused kids' site provides good information on nutrition, exercise, and related topics. Parents can choose kids' user names and must activate their accounts -- either a free account or a premium membership that costs up to $5 a month. The site frequently prompts kids to upgrade their accounts and also encourages them to email friends about joining (kids can "earn" a free iPod Shuffle if three of their friends sign up for premium accounts). A virtual world with filtered, monitored chat is available to premium members. Kids could feel rejected if their requests to be friends or to chat are ignored.
What's it about?
An educational Web site focused on kids' health, WISENHIMER.COM dishes out a generous serving of facts about nutrition and exercise. With a free account, kids can create an avatar and play games, quizzes, and trivia challenges. Paid premium membership serves up extra features like a virtual world, friends, chat, and more. All users can earn points through activities, but only premium members can redeem them. Adults get their own accounts and can gather in the Parents' Corner to exchange ideas in forums or pick up activity suggestions.
Is it any good?
This site wins points for making health a family affair. Parents and kids can agree to participate in healthy challenges like visiting an orchard or farm, doing stretches every morning, or writing thank-you notes (the site treats kindness and responsibility as an integral part of health). Kids will enjoy the fun, food-themed arcade games, but without the premium membership, they'll breeze through the rest of the content pretty quickly. And the constant prompts to upgrade -- and invite friends to join -- may try parents' patience.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about healthy eating and exercise habits and how the whole family can make adjustments for better health. How does the media promote -- or undermine -- positive health choices? Where else can you go online to learn similar information? Parents can use the site's WiseChallenges to help kids take charge of their health -- for example, teaching them how to read nutrition labels.
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- Teens & kids
AGE
Subscription site for a social network for children?
I thought the animation was well done but I question the value of a subscription based site that is basically a social network for children. There are much better websites out there with free content.
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AGE
How can a health site for kids charge a fee?
I've been to this site several times, and I always come to the same conclusion. Nice introductory animation, but I think charging for health information sends a bad message to kids. Shouldn't everyone have the right to all the health content up front? I understand charging for additional features like creating a character and treehouse, playing certain games, etc, but limiting access to things like parent-child health challenges? That just sends a conflicting message in my opinion. Navigation is also slightly difficult for first time users, especially if you are a parent. Overall, a good attempt, but I think it still needs some work.
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AGE
$24.00! This is awful!
This site is the worst. Don't spend your money on sites like this. It charges too much! You could buy a webkinz with that money, or a ty baby. If you want your kids to know lots about health and things try *://kidshealth.org .
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