| 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. | |
| NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Parents need to know that GiantHello is a lot like Facebook, only with much more attention to safety and privacy concerns for young people. This online social network for kids 7 to 17 (formerly known as Facechipz) requires parental consent for kids under 13, and it's a closed network. Kids can only communicate with people they have invited as friends, via email or a code printed and delivered in person. Parents should be aware that the games section (public, no registration needed) includes ads as well as some violent and sexual content.
Overall, GIANTHELLO succeeds as a relatively safe Facebook alternative for tweens. It even provides kids with a letter to print for their parents that promises they'll stay off Facebook until they are 13 if they are allowed to get a GiantHello account. Cute. But although the site is geared toward kids as young as 7, if they venture into the games section they can encounter ads and content unsuitable for young kids. Still, it's a good alternative for tweens whose parents are OK with the iffy content.
Online interaction: Kids are only able to interact online with GiantHello friends they have invited. Communication is in the form of commenting, messaging, and chat. But users cannot edit or delete comments once they've posted them, so they should use caution.
Families can talk social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace and whether they guard the safety of kids, especially kids under 13. Check out Common Sense Media's Facebook for Parents tipsheet.
Start the habit of getting involved early by asking your child if you could be one of their friends on GiantHello. Read why all parents should have a Facebook or MySpace page if their teen does in Common Sense Media's Social Networks and Teen Lives Parent Advice section.
Ask your younger child if it's more fun to play with their friends online or in person. What are some differences between online communication and face-to-face communication?
| Genre: | Social Networking |
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