KidZui, the kid-friendly web browser that debuted last March as a subscription service but switched over to a freemium model just a few months later, has introduced a suite of social networking features designed for kids aged 3-12.
There are obvious safety concerns when developing a product that helps kids communicate with others online, especially since it’s nearly impossible to ensure that their online buddies are indeed kids with benign intentions themselves. So, unlike Facebook – which lets its users share extensive personal details, write on each others’ walls, and send free-form messages – KidZui doesn’t enable explicit forms of communication at all.
Rather, KidZui’s social networking features mainly allow users to share their surfing behavior with friends passively. Each user has an event feed that shows when friends sign on and off, visit each others’ profiles, tag content on the web, create content channels, and friend each other. Users can also “ping” each other and post status messages, but they must be selected from a premade list of options.
The new version of KidZui contains a number of other improvements as well, including a new homepage with tabbed content and a “homework helper” that organizes school-related content for paying subscribers.
The company has also shared some statistics about its the growth and usage of its sole product. So far, 1.5 million objects (videos, pages, photos, etc) have been whitelisted and “hundreds of thousands” of kids and parents have started to use the service. KidZui’s conversion rate for website visitors has doubled since switching over to a freemium model in June. And the average user watches 80 videos per week – a much greater number than an average of 21 photos, which suggests that KidZui is starting youth off early for YouTube as well.
I wonder how many 3-year old users they have.
What kind of parent wants their kids on a computer from the ages 3-12? Aren’t we fat and unhealthy enough. Seriously if your kid is on the computer at 5 years old, you aren’t a good parent, your an idiot.
Seriously if your kid IS NOT on the computer at 5 years old, you aren’t a good parent. Your an idiot if you let your kid handle things like that behind your back, cause youll end up with a seven year old with porn on their cellphone and lethargic video game addicted teenagers instead of learning to handle those devices properly (, monitored) and responsible with your guidance.
I guess we are different. When I have kids I want them outside, playing sports, learning to interact with real people. Learning a computer is easy, it is not hard and it can wait until later in life. Teaching kids how to interact with real people is more important to me I guess.
I can teach my kids math and school by sitting down with them and working with them. At times yes I would use the computer to show them videos like the harvard cell vid. http://www.stud...jects/6850.html.
However social networks and virtual worlds no. My kids will learn to socialize in person.
I don’t want some fat, unhealthy kid with no people skills. I don’t want some social network raising my kids. In time yes I believe they should learn how to use a social network, but I will teach them how to do that safely.
Not at 5 though. At 5 they will be too tired from paying at the park to have the energy to go online.
why is it people without kids are the biggest critics on how to raise them?
Would it matter than I did talk to my sisters who have kids? Would it matter that they agree 3 to about 7 is too young and even then learning socialization skills should be done in person?
Don’t you think it is more important for a child to learn to socialize in person at a young age than in a social network?
Here is the bottom line. Which kid will smile more. The one sitting on a computer alone in their room on a social network or the kid out at the park playing with friends. Which kid would be happier?
is this really an either/or question? it certainly isnt for adults
Thank you for putting some sense into the mix. Kids need to know how to navigate the real world not the virtual one. We’re all already becoming slaves to technology. This is case where less is better. Learn how to use it then get the hell off it if you can.
I don’t know that I agree. Learning to use computers at a young age is as important as learning to do math. Granted, math isn’t likely to keep children up until 3am, but that is what parental software controls are for.
I wonder, does KidZui have a time quota that parents can set up?
In response to Grabadia’s comment I feel the type of parent that wants their child online socially networking is re typenof parent that cares about their child tremendously. Social networking is now a huge part of the economic landscape and will become even more integral in the days to come when said children are vital taxpaying contributing members of our society. Our schools aren’t teaching these kids the proper tools to thrive in our brave new world so someone has to, and better it be the eye of a watchful parent at a younger age than a parent who sets their child up for trouble by passively parenting them when they could be online talking to unsavory characters. Social networking isn’t watching TV or playing video games- it’s an augementation to regular activities that enriches their lives with nuances and interactions. And as far as tv/video games go, it’s not the medium it’s the intent behind the medium. Both can be used as a learning tool. Food is for nourishment but can abused with gluttony, as we can see with the obesity epidemic. It is up to the parents to guide and monitor media intake to the impressionable children they are rearing. That goes for all types of media, including nutritional sustenance.
FWIW, there’s a little “reply” link below comments you’d like to reply to..
really?!
But actually, good point. =)
Thanks I do realize that now. Although it’s not in the proper response format I did reference what I was responding to & my point still stands as just as valid.
While an interesting idea, I am not sure kids that age are really into electronic socialization. Most of them seem to like having other kids around to play with face to face to build their social skills. Seems that Disney’s Toontown and perhaps Club Penguin provide more interactivity, social learning, and team building.
I do agree with some others from both perspectives. It is important for kids to learn to use computers, but I also think that an hour or two a week for kids this age is more than enough and same goes for TV. More important is exercise and real life interaction with other kids.
I wish these folks luck – perhaps a better avenue would be to leverage this as a social network for parents to keep track of and arrange play dates for their kids.
Ooh ooh ooh! Can we see a Twitter for kids next? Then we could have a FriendFeed for kids too, and Robert Scoble could talk about how awesome the conversations are there.
Even just a kid-friendly youtube would be great. If I watch Sesame street clips on YouTube, I can literally find profane garbage on the same screen in the “Related Videos” pane…ridiculous.
As someone above stated, computer time and real world interaction are not mutually exclusive. I spent hours playing DOS games like bouncing babies and space invaders, plus I played baseball, soccer, did well in school, student council, gosh lots of good stuff.
My children already navigate through certain programs on the Mac. I will introduce them to KidZui. And they go to dance lessons, music class, preschool, beach day, park day, and guess what, they also watch TV. Yo Gabba Gabba!
Word.
I agree it shouldn’t be all or none and the site looks alright but it bothers me. Kids are overweight, they can’t spell, some can barely read.
How do sites like this, TV and video games affect a child’s cognitive development? Does it enhance it or does it hurt it? I remember reading a study that said video games affect the development of the frontal lobe in children which is the part of the brain that represses violent urges.
Sorry I am so active about this question but someday I want to have kids and this stuff is important to learn before hand. How does all this technology affect the development of a child’s brain?
OK Gotcha. That’s cool. I guess I think about this the same way I think about food. Some people point to studies about certain foods or compounds and go berserk and become vegan (not that there’s anything wrong with that), while others go the other way and pork out on steaks and burgers all Atkins style. And that’s cool too. But for me, I just don’t freak out about it and I eat awesome meals with fruit, vegetables, meat, cheese, fruit rolls, pie, occasionally a maple bar donut, but I do it all in moderation, exercise regularly, and right now my health has never been better. Not sure if that analogy works but it at least makes me hungry.
How does all this technology afferent the development of a child’s brain?
Well….. their brain, genetically, is there. But the technology is the environment. And perhaps TC has opened a topic not fitting for this blog, but I’d rather discuss it here then one dedicated to the topic of ‘kids===internet.”
I think we need to stop seeing online social networking as so separate from real networking (meaning… making friends.)
When I was growing up most of my friends were online, since I was socially awkward. But the internet is no longer a friend portal for the socially awkward child. In fact, almost the opposite.
As a father who recently setup computers for twin 7-year-olds, this topic interests me greatly.
First, I’m thankful the folks at KidZui are putting together an environment structured for kids. Our kids’ generation thinks of the Internet the way we think of water and the phone — it’s always been there, can’t remember not having it. So there’s a comfort level with it at a very young age.
There are things that frighten me about it, to be sure. Not the get-your-ass-off-the-couch variety that Gebadia Smith mentions earlier in the thread, because that’s controlled by active parenting. The part that frightens me is the effect that I’ve seen on some people with the mainstream social networks and their constant stream of information (monopolizing their time and thoughts, 24/7). The last thing I want are my kids wondering what’s updated on their “friend feed”. And seriously — 80 videos a week? My kids don’t get that much screen time (computer or TV.)
Nonetheless, kudos (pardon the pun) to KidZui for at least giving it a go in trying to introduce an aspect of communication that’s going to be with us for a long time. Maybe it won’t have to be “forbidden fruit” until they’re teenagers; we all know how those things pan out.
my kids like kidzui. they are very thin and active. the get to do it at the end of the day as a reward for good behavior. the social aspect of this is inconsequential. 7 year old likes to look up pokeman data. my little girl likes to draw and use puzzles that make funny noises. i like it because they practice reading, writing and using the mouse for control. i give em about 10 minutes. they enjoy it.
I am also not sure that kids are ready for e learning in this early age but Kidzui is giving then its OK.Why we think about.
If you tried Kidzui you would get it. It’s pretty sweet!
I am looking for more products in this arena for quit some time now. Can anybody tell me what products are available to try out for free? I am currently using Glubble, which my kids actually love, but I like to try out several services
Not sure. I have nephews and nieces that already at 8 & 9 they’re glued to Facebook. Since 3 year olds don’t use the web that much, that gives these guys at realistic 5-8 age band.
Just gone through the site and interface in quite attractive for kids. Will definitely try it.
QUOTE : I guess we are different. When I have kids I want them outside, playing sports, learning to interact with real people. Learning a computer is easy, it is not hard and it can wait until later in life. Teaching kids how to interact with real people is more important to me I guess. (END QUOTE)
Let me counteract this.
As a kid, and especially as a teenager, in was shy, and incredibly awkward. I absolutely HATED sport – and still do. Art and music were my main passions. I would rather go for a walk through the park than kick a ball around.
I had an absolutely rotten time at school, especially in my teenage years.
I made few friends in real life, although I more than made up for that when I left my small town and went to college and met other people with similar interests and worldviews as my own.
When I grew up there were computers, but, no internet. I just wish the intrnet and the forums I frequent were around then.
I’ve made some good friends online many have turned out to be good real life friends. Admittedly friends that I don’t see in person as much as I’d like, but, then you can’t travel a couple of hundred miles to go for a pint regularly.
My longest standing internet friend (9 years) and I are finally going to meet around 15 months from now.
Having said all that, there ARE things about KidZui that do make me think that this is not a good idea.
Firstly, ANYTHING that, even in the slightest ways is both ’social networking’ and ‘for kids’ WILL attract perverts. Yes, interaction is much more limited here than, say, Facebook or Myspace, but, it still exists.
Secondly, this smacks of ad companies and multinationals getting in there early….grooming children at a young age as possible.
My advice to parents would be :
1. Set up family filters on your computer so that, by accident or design, your child cannot stumble across things that are not age appropriate.
2. Use the Firefox browser and get the Adblock Plus add-on (https://addons....efox/addon/1865).
Many ads are misogynist, misleading, cater to the lowest common denominator…in some cases the adverts are as harmful to a child’s development as internet content that you would not wish your child to see.
3. Find child friendly sites that interest your child and bookmark them.
4. Spend time with your child when they are online…share THEIR likes and tastes with them.
5. Monitor as closely as possible what your child is doing. When they approach their teenage years, this will become much more difficult, but, at an early age this should be done.