AOL Kids

Review

Common Sense Media says

With parental guidance, a good intro to online interaction.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

AGE
8
QUALITY
 

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that AOL Kids is a free site loaded with all sorts of games, videos, pictures, quizzes, and more for kids. It's like a one-stop shop for kids' entertainment content. There are even some games and videos for preschoolers here, although that's not the main target audience. Signing up is not essential for access to most content, but if your kid wants a screen name for access to other features (like an email account, saving favorites, posting on message boards and more), parents may also want to get a screen name, in order to set parental controls on their kid's account so they cannot access 18+ AOL content.

  • Positive messages2
    As kids get older, they can have more freedom on the Internet and still have a place like this to find kid-friendly content. This site provides ways to engage online by sending emails, watching videos, playing games and more, all through a main source that provides parental controls. 
  • Violence2
    Some games and videos have battle and action themes -- WWE videos and the game Stealth Fighter are examples.
  • Sex1
    One dress-up game that begins with Justin Bieber in his underwear is a little strange, but nothing overtly sexual was observed. It's important to note, however, that kids with a screen name will have access to other areas of AOL content that may be 18+ in nature, unless parents set proper parental controls.
  • Language1
    Kids with a screen name will have access to other areas of AOL content that may be 18+ in nature, unless parents set proper parental controls.
  • Consumerism3
    There are ads for kids media, such as movies, games, and TV shows. AOL partners with other companies for content, including Nick, ESPN, and Discovery Kids.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking1
    Kids with a screen name will have access to other areas of AOL content that may be 18+ in nature, unless parents set proper parental controls.
  • Privacy & safety4
    AOL Kids complies with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Kids don't need to sign up for a screen name to view much of the content or play the games on AOL Kids. It is possible for kids to navigate from AOL Kids to partner sites without clear warning that they're leaving the site. With limited exceptions, kids must be 13 to sign up for a screen name. Signing up for a free account allows kids to get an email account, set favorite websites, post on message boards, get a virtual character, and more. Unless parents also register for a free account and sets parental controls for their child's screen name, kids will have access to 18+ areas of AOL. Parents must provide a credit card number and are charged $1 to verify parental consent.
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Is it any good?

 

AOL KIDS has enough choices in videos and games to keep kids entertained for a very, very long time. The blog featuring athletes of the month and other kid-centric news is also a nice feature. If kids choose to get a screen name and use all the extra features associated with it -- and parents take a proactive role in setting parental controls -- this site may be a useful tool to gradually introduce tweens to more interactivity on the Internet. With their own email account, instant messaging, and the ability to post on message boards through a site with which they're already familiar, AOL Kids may provide a bridge before kids enter the broader world of social networking sites.

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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about setting screen time limits. This site has so much to offer, kids could easily get sucked in for hours without noticing how much time has passed.

  • Discuss your family's rules for when kids are mature enough to get an email account.

This review was written by Dana Villamagna
Kid, 11 years old
September 25, 2011
AGE
9
 
Safe site for kids who go to AOL.
This is a great site for kid fanatics of AOL.Plus,there are so many articles to read.
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Helped me decide (21) | Had useful details (20) | Read my mind (19)
Flag as inappropriate 
Kid, 11 years old
September 3, 2011
AGE
7
 
Email
I just use tis site for emails, but it W-O-R-K-S!!!
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Helped me decide (19) | Had useful details (18) | Read my mind (17)
Flag as inappropriate 
Parent of 5, 6, 8, 10, 10, and 18 year old
December 22, 2011
AGE
9
 
n/a
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Helped me decide (15) | Had useful details (15) | Read my mind (15)
Flag as inappropriate 
Kid, 11 years old
January 16, 2012
AGE
9
 
Ehh...
Ehh.....u know aol...its iffy and usally insecure
Was this review useful?
Helped me decide (7) | Had useful details (7) | Read my mind (9)
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See all user reviews
This review was written by Dana Villamagna
Genre:Gaming
This review was written by Dana Villamagna

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
Our child development rating guidelines

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