Safe Websites for Kids?

[twiceblessed]

If you use Firefox as your browser you can download Glubble for free. It's a "family" browser. Separate areas for you and the kids. Every website they have for the kids is completely safe and you have the option of removing any website that you think is too old/young or whatever for your child. You can also add websites that you want your child to be able to get into. And in order for them to be able to exit their Glubble screen you have to okay it and enter in your password. I love Glubble and now I don't have to worry about my 8 year old accidentally getting into a "bad" site if I have to step out of the room for a minute or two.

[lovin3]

For the preschool age, our favorites are:
www.playhousedisney.com
www.pbskids.org
www.sproutonline.com
www.sesamestreet.org
We've been using the PBS site a lot. My 3yo loves learning to play the games by himself (we've been working on using a mouse and listening to the directions). They have a link to PBS Kids Island at the bottom of the home page. This option allows you to make an account for your family and check their progress. I haven't tried it yet, but it looks like a nice option.

[Dreamweaver40]

My son enjoys the following:

The Wiggles
Playhouse Disney
Nick Jr/Noggin
Sprout On-Line
Sesame Street

We use it as part of his potty training. When he makes pee-pee in the potty chair he gets candy. When he poops in the potty he gets to go on the computer! He loves it so it is a good motivation for him.

[Linda1994]

My 7 year old daughter really likes, pixiehollow.go.com (by Disney)

Both my kids (11 year old son also) like pbskids.org.

If your kids use Google, make sure you turn on the "Safe Search" option for them (click the preferences link on the main Google page, from their account), or use one of Google's safe search partners (Google "Safe search partners" to get a list). The one my kids use came with a parental control program (pgkey.com) that set this as their search page (it just uses Google, but has the "safe search" option turned on, so it doesn't let them do searches like "naked girls" but also doesn't stop them from going to sites they need for school projects):

http://safesearch.pgkey.com

...I'm pretty sure you can use that search, even if you don't own the product. If not, I know there are others like it, just don't have the links for them right now.

[healthykids]

Hi Parents,

You can access this site by going to:
http://www.greenteam.usana.com and clicking on the woogie world icon on the left hand side.

I am an acupuncturist and my goal is to help families achieve great health and prosperity in their lives. If you are seeking health and prosperity, feel free to contact me.

Have Fun and Enjoy!
greenteamleader@gmail.com

Below is more information.

The Problem:

Kids around the world are becoming increasingly engaged in online games and virtual worlds that are highly interactive and addictive. For the most part, this online activity is not benefiting that child or the future of our society. In addition, this highly engaging online activity is causing these kids to be bored and frustrated with many aspects of life including how they are being taught in our schools.

This in part has led many of today's children to be referred to as the "ME Generation." Selfishness, bullying, and self-absorption accurately define them, and this behavior is reinforced by today’s media. Much of our entertainment makes acceptable the idea that being less than responsible, behaving inappropriately, and treating others badly is the norm.

Parents, educators and government leaders are becoming increasingly concerned about this escalating trend and are looking for solutions. This is where Woogi World™ enters the picture . . .

The Opportunity:

We have the ability to use this virtual social network phenomenon to teach a global generation of elementary age children to safely and effectively use the Internet to build proper character traits and skills, and who will then work together to create a better world community.

The Woogi World Solution (our mission):

Through our safe, and engaging virtual world, woogiworld, elementary age children worldwide are becoming responsible Internet users and goodwill ambassadors, learning and implementing the character traits that are helping them be good influences in their homes, schools, and communities—ultimately leading out in the global "Woogi phenomenon" of kids driving good works.

Our Goal:

To be the "tool of choice" that parents and educators use to teach elementary children:

Proper, positive character traits and skills that include:
Internet behavior and safety
Leadership
Service to others
Proper health and nutrition
etc.
Balance between time on and off the Internet
The value and benefit of actively participating in the community
Our Strategic and Competitive Differences:

Bottom line: woogiworld is the ONLY children's virtual world that is benefiting society!

WW promotes BALANCE by bringing elementary children online to learn, and motivates them (through points and prizes), to apply their learning through offline experiences.
WW games, activities and adventures teach and promote positive behavior and character development.
WW actively promotes selfless serving as it discourages materialism, greed, and hoarding.
WW teaches the "Power of One" as it motivates and rewards families to get involved in charitable causes.
WW promotes, teaches and rewards healthy, active living—physical, mental and emotional fitness.
WW's full program is free to all children.
NO Fortune 500 corporation owns or controls CW, so we maintain complete autonomy over WW.
WW's sponsorship model allows corporate America to actively participate in the process of teaching leadership, integrity, critical thinking and community participation
WW is endorsed by lawmakers, government and private organizations.
WW is distributed to, and nationally endorsed by elementary schools.
WW games, activities, and adventures are critically-thinking couched, thus assisting elementary schools and staff to meet national NCLB (No Child Left Behind) mandates.
WW is committed to providing a meaningful environment where children and their families continually learn how unique and important they and their contributions truly are.

[Gracie_K]

We've tried the Kidzui (www.kidzui.com) browser for our eight year old son, but found the interface a little to busy. Plus I didn't agree with some of the sites the filter allowed through. We only just started with Glubble (www.glubble.com). It seems good, although the filter does some weird things, like asking for permission for sites like PBS and Sesame street, but allowing Nick and Disney. I guess that's better than allowing bad sites though. My son also uses Game 'Ohana (www.gameohana.com). All the game sites on it seem kid-friendly. At least it gives you a little warning of what to expect from them.

Does anyone know of a Youtube for kids? Someone (older brother) showed him a Lego starwars video he liked on Youtube. Now he wants to look for more. There doesn't seem to be any filter or rating system though, and it's really hard to tell the kid-safe videos from the ones that are not. Now I look for video's he might like while he's at school, but I still have to sit with him while he watches them because it's way, way to easy to click on an inappropriate link. Thank God they are only a few minutes long!

[gamespaceuk]

hi this is a nice gaming website with free sign up and a monthly prize to the highest score member
ideal for familys children of all ages www.gamespaceuk.com pop along and try some of the games . children will love as well as adults

[Gracie_K]

www.gamespaceuk.com (mentioned above) is the type of site kids should AVOID. I can't believe anyone would recommend this site to children. Check out the graphic violence of games like 13 Days in Hell or Bleed-The Game. Even the creator of Clay Kitten Shooter (A nice shiny gun. Some lovely little kittens. All you have to do is use the former to ruin the latter) warns that his game isn't appropriate for kids. What was this person thinking?

[Cupofjo]

www.freechildrenstories.com. Just a site with a new and free children's story every week. Definitely kid-friendly.

[Gracie_K]

Free children stories.com is Cool! Almost no ads and the stories are short but fun. I wonder were the art work is from? Are they done by kids?