Common Sense Media Review
By Susan Yudt
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Educational teen site lacks sophistication.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Is It Any Good?
Run by the Women in Science & Engineering Program at the University of Michigan, SMARTGIRL is a mix of educational info that encourages girls to get involved in the sciences and more typical teen fare, such as horoscopes and relationship advice. There's a lot of content on the site, but it's not organized -- or designed -- in a way that's very appealing. Graphics are minimal and there aren't any multimedia features, except for some games hosted on outside sites. SmartGirl clearly means well, but it may be too basic for tweens and teens who are used to more sophisticated experiences online.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about careers, and about the fact that women are underrepresented in technical fields such as engineering. Talk about some of the reasons girls may be less likely to choose careers in engineering. This can open a discussion about gender, stereotypes, and individuality.
Some users express concerns about sex and relationships on this site. Families can talk about media messages about sex. What TV shows and movies offer a realistic depiction of these issues?
Website Details
- Genre : Educational
- Pricing structure : Free
- Last updated : August 25, 2016
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