Common Sense Media Review
By Leslie Crenna
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Interactive, kid-friendly news source gives kids the scoop.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Videos and Photos
DOGO News
Privacy Rating Pass
Privacy Rating
Our expert evaluators create our privacy ratings. The ratings are designed to help you understand how apps use your data for commercial purposes.
Pass
Meets our minimum requirements for privacy and security practices.
Warning
Does not meet our recommendations for privacy and security practices.
Fail
Does not have a privacy policy and should not be used.
Privacy Rating
Our expert evaluators create our privacy ratings. The ratings are designed to help you understand how apps use your data for commercial purposes.
Pass
Meets our minimum requirements for privacy and security practices.
Warning
Does not meet our recommendations for privacy and security practices.
Fail
Does not have a privacy policy and should not be used.
What's It About?
DOGONEWS offers thousands of concise kid-friendly news stories with plentiful photos and occasional videos. It's searchable by five grade categories or 12 content categories ranging from the more serious Social Studies to plain old Fun. Every article is accompanied by relevant academic standards, vocabulary definitions, and geography links, and most are followed by comprehension questions and a critical-thinking challenge. Kids with iDogo accounts can leave comments and engage in some social-media basics, creating their own avatars and following other kids. They also can submit their own news contributions through email.
Is It Any Good?
Blog-style Dogonews began churning out challenging and insightful articles in 2007. Article topics demonstrate respect for and understanding of kids' perspectives: We're talking fun, sophisticated, and interesting articles -- including research on the five-second rule or a Rubik's cube champion -- but they also cover more serious, expansive topics. Parents and teachers will really dig the plentiful learning tools, such as one-click vocabulary definitions, age-appropriate comprehension questions, critical-thinking challenges, and relevant academic standards.
It can be hard to discern which reviews and articles are written by kids; bylines that include "kid contributor" or some similar title might help. Although materials are categorized from grade K through 8, younger kids will need an adult to read the material and capitalize on learning resources. The Maps tab houses a world tour of geo-located one-paragraph articles that feels really cool at first but can't be paused -- a definite source of frustration for the majority of readers who will not be able to read all the text before the tour shoves off again for another spot on the planet.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how a particular news story affects them: How would a new mobile shower service for the homeless change daily life for those with homes?
Dogonews offers lots of activity ideas for kids and families. Enjoy a homemade sing-along during Earth Hour, or plan one for next year.
Website Details
- Subjects : Language & Reading : discussion , presenting to others , reading , reading comprehension , storytelling , text analysis , vocabulary , writing , writing clearly , Science : animals , engineering , astronomy , ecosystems and the environment , weather , Social Studies : citizenship , cultural understanding , events , exploration , geography , global awareness , government , historical figures , history , power structures , Hobbies : fashion , pets , sports
- Skills : Thinking & Reasoning : applying information , memorization , thinking critically , Creativity : producing new content , Self-Direction : academic development , initiative , personal growth , work to achieve goals , Emotional Development : empathy , perspective taking , Communication : conveying messages effectively , presenting , Responsibility & Ethics : embracing differences , honoring the community
- Genre : Civic Engagement
- Topics : Activism , STEM , History , School ( Middle School )
- Pricing structure : Paid, Free
- Last updated : November 11, 2020
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate