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Yahoo! Answers (http://answers.yahoo.com/)

common sense media says

Unfiltered, unfettered answers require a huge grain of salt.

parents & educators say
  • 57% say language is an issue
  • 43% say it's educational
See all 46 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this free informational site offers up answers to virtually any question imaginable but is an iffy place for young kids to explore without supervision. The self-proclaimed “world’s biggest think tank” lets visitors ask questions and registered users volunteer their advice and answers. Though the questions and answers are divided into easy-to-peruse categories, there is an array of topics that are accessible to anyone choosing to browse.

Educational value: More entertaining than educational. There's no way of ascertaining anyone's qualifications to provide answers. This is not a site you should look to if you really want to learn something.
Positive messages: Aside from a occasional cranky rants, most of the users are trying to be helpful. The overall message is that being inquisitive is a good thing, but the variety of unsubstantiated "answers" means you can't believe everything you read.
Violence: Questions and answers about violence run the gamut from the effects of videogame violence to musings on why people physically abuse others.
Sex: Plenty of questions about sex, but nothing pornographic.
Language: Asterisks are used in place of swear words.
Consumerism: The site seems to be more advertising than advice. Both questions and answers are keyed to advertising topics, so if you ask a question about eyeglasses, the stie serves ads for LensCrafters and other optical shops.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Every so often, there are questions about illegal drugs and illegal practices like how to obtain pharmaceuticals without a prescription.
Privacy & safety: To ask or answer questions you have to register by
choosing a nickname, creating a unique profile, and uploading an
optional photo. You can keep your identity anonymous, but the site encourages users to become experts in their areas of knowledge.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Yahoo! Answers

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • How the Internet has made it possible to seek out answers to virtually any question -- and receive answers almost instantly. Does this feed our desire for instant gratification? How did people find out answers before there was a computer in nearly every home?
  • Why do some people spend a good deal of time loading inappropriate answers and information into Web sites? Is this a form of bullying?
  • Why you shouldn’t always believe, trust or follow information or advice that is found on Web sites. When it comes to important issues in life, who are better people to turn to? What can these trusted people do to help make sure the Internet is a safer place for kids?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Yahoo! Answers certainly doesn’t have all the answers, but it’s a decent place to start if you’re an adult looking for practical information such as how to wash jeans without shrinking them … or tricks to making meringue. Ask virtually anything, and there’s an answer for it.  But those few who choose to ask or answer dubious questions about sex, drugs, or violent behaviors turn this site into a not-so-safe place for kids. Just like the worldwide Web itself, there’s some useful information to discover, but there’s also a lot of questionable fare to wade through.

Online interaction: Sometimes the answers are misguided, angry diatribes posted by people who just want to stir up trouble. Certain categories have more of this type of commentary than others.

This review was written by Conny Coon
 
 

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What parents & educators say

13
Based on 7 parent & educator reviews:
  • 57% say language is an issue
  • 43% say it's educational
  • 43% say sexual content is an issue
  • 29% say there are positive messages
Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

♥UndeadRainbows♥™
kid, 13 years old
10
 
entertainment
Not really advice but opinions. Helpful if you need advice on your novels/writing but some people give you crap for it, I was told my writing was crap, but that's just there opinion.
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SomebodysMe
teen, 17 years old
13
 
Not really "answers", just "entertainment"
DISCLAIMER: Most of the advice on Answers are just opinions. In fact, when asking a question, only one or two answers will actually be legit! This is in come categories more than others. (Warning: Avoid the Religion section, because whatever your belief, you will be berated and/or jeered because of it.) Sometimes you will come across a very friendly person who really wants to offer their advice. It's a fun site to visit, but not for actual answers.
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camron@yahoo.com
kid, 13 years old
12
 
camron
camron
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musicgirl242
kid, 11 years old
10
 
weird
It's okay, but some people put the worst questions, like "I think my cat can talk to me.... what do I do?"
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Chrihddjason
kid, 12 years old
8
 
This is Also Yahoo/Live Too! geez
Not Age Appropriate for kids under 6, Age Appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 8. Good for 9 and up, Bad for 6 and under, OK but not really 7-8 year olds unless you use safe mode.
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Katy0
teen, 17 years old
13
 
Sometimes helpful
If you're looking up a substitute for an ingredient in a recipe or something similar Yahoo! Answers is very useful. However, there is a lot of spam.
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cashformoney5
kid, 11 years old
12
 
Very educational!
OK. This site is very educational, and you can ask others for help on homework and stuff. But some questions are by trolls/spammers and can be very bad.
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TCGleek
teen, 17 years old
14
 
Some really strange people
Most people use this site because they need answers or want to help someone else find an answer. There are some odd questions, but mostly it's good. However, it's clear that there are some weird people out there. For instance, I needed some help revising a story, and some random user told me not to keep my 'inner daemon' sleep. I was a bit concerned, but mostly I laughed that someone would say 'inner daemon.'
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Gelato
adult
17
 
Not recommended
Yahoo! Answers have posters who sign on with numerous ID's and post trash & spam. The entire admin. department believe they are so in control and frankly are terribly bigheaded. They really do not know anything that goes on. For instance, any poster can tag someone's post as abusive and the Yahoo! admins. will automatically penalise the poster with the supposed abusive message unless said poster can prove to them it's not. The admins., therefore, do not truly investigate a post as being abusive unless the accused protests. Yet they make everyone feel that they're so important. If you question them they either feel they want to reply or they will just ignore your questions. This is truly unprofessional, in my opinion, because I'm a participant on other website forums where the admins. do not act like a brainless, bigheaded God as they do at Yahoo! Answers. Thus, I do not recommend this website for any age group!
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degrassifan01
teen, 14 years old
13
 
Great for 13 and up
Very helpful and fun! Love this site!!!
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Smoothie971
teen, 14 years old
13
 
Good for answers, don't e-mail strangers though!
To be fair, most people on this are just trying to find an answer to their question. Some questions might be inappropriate for a young child, but as long as they don't attract the attention of strangers, they should be fine.
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Ali J
teen, 14 years old
10
 
Useful
Why are people saying only teens can use this? Kids shouldn't make an account on it, but still they can look up questions quickly on it. This website is useful, and there are many different answers for each question, which helps.
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Euonym!
kid, 12 years old
11
 
Many factors change the age range
Even though yahoo requires you to be at least 13, it is good for tweens too. Will your child make a big deal out of the inappropriate stuff or contribute to the pile of adult content? Don't give them an account. If they are mature enough to handle one, it's ok. Some of the avatars are cute, while others are suggestive.
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CocoBiscotti3600
kid, 11 years old
11
 
Good For The Info You Need
I use Y! Answers and understand the pros and the cons. It has helped me a lot to get answers to my questions, and I've also been able to answer some appropriate questions. Certain categories have more inappropriate questions than others. But it helps to get answers to your questions instead of just Googling it.
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DrDreVEVO
adult
5
 
Let Your KIds Use Yahoo Answers
It's like answers* but it is yahoo answers i use it all the time and i get the rigth information all the time when i was in middle school i did a report and it was based mostely on yahoo anwsers so lest your kids use yahoo answers
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ice_capp3
kid, 9 years old
12
 
Perfect for older tweens.
Has alot of iPod questions. People put aterisks by accident or in a swear/cuss. I saw a question that said this "iPod Touch 4G ****** not working". By the way they accidentially put the aterisks there. Eventhough Yahoo! Answers will not let you put aterisks in the question or it will be removed.
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ThreeDaysGrace ...
teen, 15 years old
11
 
I'm not even going to argue with Common Sense Media anymore. It's too tiring.
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Miloub
teen, 14 years old
10
 
Not really for the kids.
It seems alright, although i have no reasen to reject the site (i'm always browsing on it) It seems such as violent acts and illegal questions, and trolling is popular on the site. Meh, too much of the silly, but very A+!
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MahFriendLexi♥
kid, 11 years old
15
 
I used to troll on this site. KittyMewMew Powers!
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OURKIDSMATTER
educator and parent
17
 
Yahoo! Answers allows assisted suicide! Please read!
DISCLAIMER: This is my opinion based on my experience over the last year. I've spent over 800hrs and witnessed both good and bad. These are my views and thoughts regarding Yahoo! Answers. I've had the opportunity over the last year or so to watch Yahoo! Answers be completely over run AGAIN (like in 2005) by those who are determined to spread lies through impersonations and misrepresentations. In the Religion and Spirituality section I have witnessed suicidal teens who have been talked out of suicide and have been helped and recovered! Lately with the overwhelming and uncontrolled increase of those who openly claim to follow Satan, Yahoo! Answers has become a safe haven and command post for acts of evil! THIS IS NO PLACE FOR CHILDREN TO BE LINGERING! YAHOO HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND HAS REFUSED EVEN IN LIGHT OF A RECENT INCIDENT WHERE A SUICIDE WAS BEING ENCOURAGED AND BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT! THE LIFE OF A CHILD HAS BEEN LOST AND YAHOO HAS REFUSED TO TAKE NOTICE! THEY ALSO REFUSE TO IMPOSE SAFEGUARDS TO HELP PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN! IT'S CRIMINAL AND UNSAFE AND PARENTS AROUND THE WORLD SHOULD REFUSE ACCESS WHENEVER POSSIBLE! Imagine if that 16 yr old was your child and Yahoo made no effort to protect against this type of assisted suicide! It's wrong, immoral, unethical and Yahoo doesn't care. Show them that you do!
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