Scallyroo

Website review by Susan Yudt, Common Sense Media
Scallyroo Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 12+

Social site lets kids track goals -- and request rewards.

http://www.scallyroo.com
Rate website

Parents say

age 8+

Based on 10 reviews

Kids say

age 10+

Based on 13 reviews

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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 this social networking site has a handy feature that helps users set goals and manage tasks, but it also has a significant shopping component: Teens use an Amazon-powered search to request "reward" items for completing goals, to create wish lists, or to buy items directly. Users can access anything that's sold through Amazon -- which means some adult content can turn up.

Community Reviews

Riley45
Riley45 Adult
May 19, 2011
age 8+

Breath of fresh air...

What a breath of fresh air. So many websites are vying for my kids attention but this is the one I endorse because it is safe and is grounded in positive values for my two daughters (ages 10 and 12, respectively). The site allows my to monitor their account as they are under the age of 13 and cant sign up w/o my consent. Great idea. Great site.

This title has:

Too much consumerism
Educational value
Great messages
my2kids
my2kids Adult
February 10, 2010
age 9+

Perfect for Teens and Tweens

I have two kids (ages 12 and 14) and both use this site religiously and I actually encourage it. Scallyroo actually allows parents to join in on the action and connect with their kids on the site. It is really neat. Being a parent of two 'coming of age' teens you would think this might be a detractor, but it's just the opposite. I highly recommend parents with young teens to check out Scallyroo.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
See all 10 parent reviews

What’s It About?

Social media hub SCALLYROO allows users to create profiles, find friends, and join groups -- but it also adds a unique feature to the standard mix. The site's main attraction is a group of applications that work together to help teens set and achieve goals. Here's how it works: Create a goal, add tasks to an online calendar, email your friends for encouragement and feedback, and tell your parents what you're planning. That last part is key, because Scallyroo encourages users to pick \"rewards\" -- powered by an Amazon search -- and ask parents to purchase those goods if the goals are met.

Is It Any Good?

Streamlined and user-friendly, Scallyroo's goal-setting feature could be very helpful for teens who need a little nudge getting organized. However, parents may not appreciate that each goal has to be attached to a reward -- even minor ones, like doing chores -- and that the most popular prizes include pricey items like iPods and gaming systems. The site's other social networking features are fine but nothing remarkable.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about setting and accomplishing goals. What motivates you to complete tasks? What steps can you take to make a big project more manageable? When is it appropriate to reward someone for achieving a goal ... and when is performing well its own reward?

Website Details

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