Common Sense Media Review
By Conny Coon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Creative, supportive forum for teens to share their work.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 1 parent review
Based on 12 kid reviews
Kids say that the website is a supportive platform for teen writers, allowing them to showcase their creativity, though submissions can take time to be approved, leading to some frustrations. While many enjoy the communal feedback and connection to teachers, others find the organization lacking and express concerns about originality and the presence of inappropriate content in the forums.
- supportive platform
- feedback opportunities
- organization issues
- originality concerns
- moderation delays
- community experience
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's It About?
Teens can choose to join for free, which allows them to comment, chat, and use the forums. The focus here is on writing -- creating it, discussing it, rating it, and ultimately publishing it. The submission process is easy, though getting accepted may not be. But there are many ways to participate and learn here even if you don't get through that hurdle. TEEN INK tracks users' participation (comments, frequency of use, etc.), and members will quickly learn that regular use gets attention and perseverance is an important aspect of success.
Is It Any Good?
Teens -- and even their parents -- will glean a lot from perusing the work on this site, which is supported by The Young Authors Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to giving teens a voice and boosting their self-esteem. Not only are there great examples of strong writing and fine art here, but the subject matter is extremely relevant to teens anywhere. Because the content is created by teens, young visitors will find a good deal they can relate to and may even find themselves quickly caught up in the short stories, articles and poetry. The themes vary in tone, but the subject matter touches on topics ranging from dating and driving to divorce and death. Kids of all creativity levels will find inspiration here. Those with aspirations to write or draw will be encouraged to continue pursuing their interests, and those who may struggle with writing or creativity may recognize that hard work pays off.
Online interaction: All submissions are subject to critique from other Teen Ink visitors, so anyone submitting is able to see comments -- good or bad -- from other registered users. The vast majority of comments are positive, constructive, and supportive. Even the reviewers who have negative comments about the submissions manage to frame their criticism in kind, gentle ways.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the other types of creative expression (beyond writing on a keyboard), that can be done using digital media.
Families can also read about efforts to help Chicago students become digital media creators.
Website Details
- Subjects : Language & Reading : discussion , writing , Social Studies : cultural understanding , Arts : painting , photography , script writing
- Skills : Thinking & Reasoning : analyzing evidence , applying information , asking questions , decision-making , defining problems , investigation , thinking critically , Creativity : brainstorming , combining knowledge , developing novel solutions , imagination , making new creations , producing new content , Self-Direction : academic development , achieving goals , effort , goal-setting , identifying strengths and weaknesses , initiative , motivation , personal growth , self-assessment , self-reflection , set objectives , Emotional Development : developing resilience , empathy , identifying emotions , moving beyond obstacles , persevering , perspective taking , self-awareness , Communication : conveying messages effectively , friendship building , multiple forms of expression , presenting , Collaboration : cooperation , respecting other viewpoints , teamwork , Responsibility & Ethics : following codes of conduct , Tech Skills : digital creation , evaluating media messages , social media , using and applying technology
- Genre : Creating
- Character Strengths : Empathy
- Pricing structure : Free (The 10-issue monthly print edition is $49 per year.)
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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