KidZui and Padded Walls
The Internet is a major part of our day-to-day lives, and that’s not going to change. That makes getting children comfortable with computers at an early age a priority for many parents, but the question of how to do that safely is a major one… and where there is a question without a clear answer, there is money to be made. A new service called KidZui (“The Internet for Kids”) claims to have the answer: you don’t filter the existing Internet, you create a whole new one. The downside: your children are the captive audience, and one company controls what they see. The result: the ability to monetize that relationship appears to be be too tempting to pass up. Unlike other kid-centric services like Webkinz, KidZui doesn’t have a demarcated section for ads, meaning that when children think they’re simply surfing for information, they’re being told what to look at. At a time where it’s more important than ever to teach how to look at information critically, KidZui blurs the lines in very disturbing ways.
First look: KidZui’s kid-centric ‘Net a mixed bag
There’s bits and pieces about KidZui floating around the webosphere of info (found this one courtesy of fantabulous Ypulse).
It’s a nice idea for concerned parents, and despite the claims about monopoly over content – the purpose is there.
For me… although I’ve always been one to demand quality in safety, environment, and experience for youth… I can’t help but worry about the whole avoidance of the real internet.
‘Avoiding education’ may be a strong reaction/definition on my part, but that’s my ultimate fear. I understand wanting to know that your 8 year old is safe playing a game on the net, while you step away to empty the washer and dryer… My worry is – what happens to that kid at age 13 playing on the computer at a friends house, or when they stop subscribing to catch-all browser nets? Do they still have the tools they need to arm themselves? Or have they developed the blinders to overlook certain content?
To me – the most important thing is raising net savvy kids, a healthy computer interaction, demanding quality environments for kids, holding the internet community at a higher level. Maybe I’m asking too much, and it’s just easier to pad the hell out of your kids’ environment?
