Pixton
Common Sense Media says
Create impressive comics with simple click-and-drag tools.
What parents need to know
Violence
Sex
Language
Consumerism
Drinking, drugs, & smoking
Privacy & safety
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Pixton is a do-it-yourself site where kids can use an incredible palette of tools to create and share original comics. A strict Code of Conduct encourages positive and supportive behavior and offenders may be reported, suspended, or banned. There’s plenty to do with the free Basic Membership and a reward system of credits allows kids to advance to higher levels or publicize their comics. Make sure kids sign up for “Pixton for Fun,” not “Pixton for Business,’ watch the “How-to” videos before jumping in (there are a lot of tools), and save often. If you don't you run the risk of spending 30 minutes recreating an elaborate scene, clicking "undo" to remove a tree, and then watching all of your hard work disappear.
What kids can learn
Subjects
Language & Reading
- reading
- storytelling
- writing
Arts
- drawing
Skills
Creativity
- imagination
- producing new content
Communication
- conveying messages effectively
- multiple forms of expression
Tech Skills
- digital creation
Engagement, Approach, Support
For visual learners, this site could transform how they view literacy and even spark more engagement in school. The site can be easy for basic activities but also includes advanced features for those looking for more.
Pixton is less about learning a particular content-area lesson and more about sharing knowledge with others. Samples from the public gallery show a wide variety of science-, math-, and history-based comics for inspiration.
The video tutorials, project community, and other features (including a promptly responsive help desk) indicate strong thinking on the part of Pixton to make the experience as stress-free for kid users as possible.
User reviews
Parents say
Kids say
What's it about?
Kids will create comics in a panel-by-panel format using tool sets for characters, backgrounds, speech bubbles, and props. Each set has submenus for changing expressions, poses, colors, layering, creating silhouettes, and more. Kids can create original objects, choose from a library, or remix other people’s comics into their own. “Boosts” let authors promote their comics, and they can rate others’ comics as artistic, well-written, or funny. Kids can become fans of other authors and acquire their own -- all displayed on a fan club page.
Is it any good?
QUALITY
The creators of the award-winning Pixton show their love for comics with a site that is thoughtful in design and thorough in its offerings. In short, they’ve thought of everything. Comic-building tools are unbelievably easy to use and simple click-and-drag actions let users create and customize all parts of their comic. Users can even upload photos to their comic or just pop through to Flickr commons and borrow one there. For the comically-challenged, “remixing” lets you borrow someone else’s comic and tweak it to make it your own. Users can also share their comic online, download and print them, or even put them on a t-shirt.
Pixton’s multiple awards (Webby, People’s Choice, Digital Media to name a few) are well-earned and well-deserved.
Families can talk about...
Families can talk about the power of a comic strip or cartoon. How are political cartoons used today? When are cartoons used to influence what the public thinks? What makes them effective?
Digital creation can be a fun way to express creativity. Read our tips for creating digital media to ensure Pixton is the right tool for your child.
Before sharing comics online, families can talk about the pros and cons of participating in a digital culture. Read our tips for getting connected in a digital world.
Website details
| Genre: | Creating |
| Pricing structure: | Free |
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What parents and kids say
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A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines
QUALITY
Amazing
It is an amzing website (take it from a girl who has an account) I admit sometimes it has bad language but it is amazing teachers can find their studens and send them homework
What other families should know
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
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