KidsPost

Safe, kid-centric news site could less clunky to navigate.
Kids say
Based on 1 review
KidsPost
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this website.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Kidspost is a kid-friendly news site. A subscription to the Washington Post is required to access content there, and while a four-week free trial is offered, there isn't any special rate or discount for the kids version -- families will need to pay the full cost of the Post, either $40 annually or $4 every four weeks, which comes out to be about $50 for a year. Finding your way around the site can be frustrating because basic navigation allowing you to move from section to section hasn't been included on every page. Kids can post comments on articles once they register, verify their email, and define a username. Submissions appear instantly, but profanity and harassing comments aren't allowed, according to the site's rules -- which also state discussions are moderated, but the site relies on readers to help report infractions by clicking on a flag button. Comments don't appear on every article, though -- many items seem to have none.
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What’s It About?
KIDSPOST, featuring kid-focused news, was first published in 2000 and is available online and in the paper from Sunday to Thursday. Articles target second- to seventh-grade readers and provide summaries of some local, national, and international news. A number include extras links to sites on the topic. The subject matter ranges from books to sports, science, and crafts and recipes. Kids submit photos and drawings, which are featured in posts with themes like weather-related art and vacation snapshots. They can also take quizzes on the site.
Is It Any Good?
This news site gets points for providing content specifically meant for kids, but most of the articles seem to have been written by adults, not younger readers. KidsPost's design also doesn't differ much from the Washington Post's site. While photos appear to be included more often than videos with articles, KidsPost does offer some interactive elements, including quizzes on topics like ice cream, published during National Ice Cream Month. The quizzes show kids the correct answer if their guess is wrong.
The site navigation is somewhat cumbersome. Once kids click on one of the sections, there's sometimes no option to easily return to the main page apart from clicking on the browser's back button, since navigation elements often lead to the main Washington Post site. Aside from four subject matter headings at the top of the screen, and a few items listed near the bottom of the page, KidsPost also doesn't offer any other ways to easily find content. Articles aren't broken down within those pages or marked with tags, and there's no dedicated search option within KidsPost. You can click on the search function in the upper left hand corner of the screen, but that's part of the Washington Post's site -- and KidsPost isn't even listed as a section option to further refine the results. There are a few good resources: The Readers' Corner section features age-appropriate book reviews, for instance, and a Newspaper in Education classroom resource page includes information for teachers that can be a good jumping-off point for discussion. The site's articles don't always include extensive background on the topics, and it doesn't cover all major current events. But in general, the articles provide a concise overview of topics and can help kids learn about some of the things that are happening in the world, if you're willing to search for it. Given a paid subscription to the Washington Post is required, parents may or may not use the site often enough to justify the expense.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about responsible, informative news coverage. What elements make an article a good read? How can you tell if facts are substantiated?
Newspapers often feature editorials and essays, but what's the difference between a piece of writing that expresses someone's opinion and one that reports facts about an event or issue? How can you tell them apart?
Newspaper readers can share their feelings about an article by posting comments on a website or submitting a letter to the editor, but can you discuss communicating your reaction to a topic in an effective way?
Website Details
- Subjects: Language & Reading: discussion, reading, Social Studies: events, history
- Skills: Communication: conveying messages effectively, Tech Skills: evaluating media messages, social media, Thinking & Reasoning: investigation, thinking critically
- Genre: Educational
- Pricing structure: Paid (A Washington Post subscription, which costs either $40 annually or $4 every four weeks, is required to view content.)
- Last updated: August 2, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
For kids who love Current events
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