Apr
11

A Quick Tour & Review of Social Networks for Ages 5-8+

Filed Under (Social Networking) by blogwalker on 11-04-2009 and tagged , , , ,

For the past year, I’ve teamed with our district web master to take our Internet Safety workshop on the road in an effort to make it accessible to parents as well as teachers.  Besides the evening regional face-to-face workshops, we also host the 2WebWatchers blog, an open invitation to teachers, parents, and the community at large to join in the conversation of best ways to help students learn to use the Internet safely, effectively, and ethically.

As part of the presentation, we showcase how teachers are harnessing the power of Web 2.0 to take learning beyond the walls of the classroom – while teaching students the protocols to keep them safe from others, from each other, and from themselves.  A concern voiced by some parents is that their elementary student has little access to the Internet during the school day due to lack of computers in the classroom and limited access to computer lab time.  Therefore social networking is not woven into their child’s school day.  They ask for recommendations of safe social networking sites their child might use at home.

My question to parents is “Is there a specific interest or goal for bringing your child into the world of social networking? For instance, do you wish to:

  • create an online communication tool for your child, family and friends that can be accessed, expanded, archived over the years?” If the answer is “yes,” then I recommend creating a blog, using an ad-free program such as Google’s Blogger.  An excellent example is All About Amy. I first learned about Amy’s blog via a post from her father. I can’t help thinking in the years to come how much Amy will value being able to look back at conversations with her immediate family, relatives, friends, and all those who helped her on her journey to becoming a reflective writer. All About Amy is a great model for parents as co-pilots!
  • provide your child, age 5-8, with access to a safe, international audience and a window into other cultures? If the answer is “yes,” then I recommend Panwapa – Where Kids Shape the World. This site is an excellent introduction to social networking! For a starter, the only “personal information” required to create a profile is your child’s country. Sponsored by Sesame Street, Panwapa allows children to visit other members around the world, thus learning about other cultures and languages as well as world geography. Members are walked through steps to create an avatar.  (Note: Panwapa “card” shown is mine.) With pre-scripted messages and a built in voice-over directions, Panwapa is accessible to pre-readers.  The Care Giver and Teacher Guides are also helpful.  A safe FREE site with educational value and no ads (other than funders’ logos). Appropriate for ages 5+

For parents who are curious about several of the better-known social networking sites for elementary students and ‘tweens,  here is some background information:

  • Club Penguin – Brought to you by Disney, and, although it’s possible to join and play for free, more options are available to paying members.  Site is heavy on consumerism, but does offer levels of parental control.  A recent parent review published to Good Housekeeping Magazine, Undercover in a Kids Online World, is an interesting insight into the “good” vs. “bad” of this site. Parents should definitely be co-pilots on this site and provide guidance and explanations about how to deal with unfriendly messages. Appropriate for ages 8+
  • Webkinz – Requires purchase of a Webkinz pet in order to get “pet code” required for becoming a member. (As a parent who not too many years back, combed San Francisco in search of a Cabbage Patch doll for daughter, I can hardly be critical of need to purchase a Webkinz pet.) This site is all about consumerism, which could possibly teach children lessons in saving. Definitely needs a parent co-pilot to monitor unfriendly messages. Appropriate for 8+
  • Imbee – “Sorry to announce that this site is down indefinitely.” Too bad because this site offered a parent-monitored introduction to blogging. Appropriate for ages 11+

For parents wondering where to go in order to find reviews of kid-friendly social network sites, I recommend Common Sense Media.

Any insights from readers would be most welcome!

Note: Webkinz image copied from http://sydemkate.com/Images/webkinz3.gif
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5 Responses to “A Quick Tour & Review of Social Networks for Ages 5-8+”

  1.   Melissa Smith Says:
      April 11th, 2009 at 6:02 pm

    Thanks so much for this great blog entry! Working with and having young students sharing sites like these is just wonderful. And double thanks on the Internet Safety blog! I wrote a curriculum this past summer on for grades 1st through 6th. I strongly believe that Internet Safety needs to be taught right along with saying no to drugs, not talking to strangers, and stop drop and roll.

    [Reply]

    blogwalker Reply:
    April 11th, 2009 at 7:57 pm

    Thanks, Melissa, for putting the issue into a nutshell. And encourage you in your efforts to weave iSafety into the 1-6 curriculum. I’m in the process of seeking grants that will provide stipends to teachers who integrate iSafety – especially an awareness of cyberbullying issues – into their adopted k-6 English/Language Arts curriculum. If I find funding sources, I’ll definitely post about it!

    Gail

    [Reply]

  2.   mrsmccartney Says:
      April 23rd, 2009 at 1:16 pm

    Club Penguin is a favorite at home, and has ignited some good conversations on internet safety with my 8 year old. I think we’ll check out Panwapa with his little brother this summer. Thanks for the link!

    [Reply]

    blogwalker Reply:
    April 24th, 2009 at 6:42 am

    I read your comment right after a session at Reese – during which a 4th grader shared how much she loved Build a Bear. I’m going back next week to do a podcast with her because she also talked about the structure of the website “not allowing any inappropriate comments.”

    If you have any sites you’d recommend, please let me know.

    Thanks for your input, Tara. I wish more of our students were having “good conversations on internet safety” with their parents.

    [Reply]

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