Togetherville, social networking for kids 6 - 10 | Hacker News Reader

Togetherville, social networking for kids 6 - 10

togetherville.com

12 pointsblogimus9 comments

I've got two kids under 10 and I've got mixed feelings on networking sites for kids this young. On the one hand, they will have the opportunity to get familiar with the technology they will spend the rest of their lives using. On the other hand, why rush into it when they are happy without it (really, regardless of happy or not).

I'm a programmer (developer/engineer/whatever), been programming since I was about 10, but I've not encourages nor discouraged computer use for my kids. I figure the computer is there and they will pretty much decide how much they are into it.

I have to also confess that I've thought of developing a kids website that my kids can play with. What are your experiences or thoughts here?

I have no kids and I'm not planning to have one, so I can't express my opinion on how to educate children about technology, computers and social networks. This is a very difficult matter.

But if you decide to allow/encourage children to use these instruments, I believe that a secure social network aimed to protect children is better than Facebook with its lousy privacy rules and controls, where they could meet a lot of risks.

I don't have children, but if I did I'd have a laissez-faire attitude with them.

In this particular case, just because they're fine without it doesn't mean they might enjoy themselves and have better lives (whatever that means) with it.

So I'd let them know it's there, perhaps explain what it is but go no further, give them the path as an option but let them choose where and what they do.

> I have to also confess that I've thought of developing a kids website that my kids can play with. What are your experiences or thoughts here?

I did this once (totlol.com). My kids love it, so do others, but I can't say it brought joy to our family. 2 cents? Don't.

Why did it not bring joy to your family? Because you have to listen to silly childrens jokes too much?

I would rather my children didn't use something like this. Purely because it's a waste of time. Children socialise just fine at the local park and school.

While at home they need down time and time to be bored. It's an essential element of developing your own personality.

They've got 400 years of books to read as well, the sooner they start on that the sooner they will finish.

I have an idea for a social network for kids 10 and under. Sand, grass, swings, hoops, seesaws, and ball games.

Social networks make sense for adults because we're removed from my family, friends, peers by geographic proximity and time .. plus we have too many casual "friends" to network with face to face constantly.

Kids? not so much. Kids can make friends within few minutes. Let them play outside, somewhere safe.

"Drop-down text messages, called "quips", express thoughts and feelings"

Sounds like a useless version of Twitter :-)

My daughter (11) may be into this, but my son (8) probably wouldn't. He likes games too much. He still plays Club Penguin some, but Garry's mod is where he spends his screen time now.

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