alt.cyberkids
CHILDREN WEB DIRECTORY
I hope to follow the thesis with a discourse analysis of websites specifically geared for 'children', with a view to ascertaining what such texts reveal about widespread notions of 'appropriate' childhood spaces. Below are links to some of the best sites for children I've found on the Net over the course of my research in this field. My evaluation criteria are based on the extent to which sites offer interactive spaces, where children have the chance to communicate with their peers, express their own opinions and are encouraged to be web producers in their own right.
I hope it will be an ever evolving directory. If you know of a great children's site not included here, please let me know.
Rocko's 'Byte-Size Online Safety Guide'
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The strip above is a page from Rocko's (of Rocko's Modern Life fame) Safe Surfing online comic, available on Nickelodeon UK. Take a look at Rocko's 'Byte-Size Online Safety Guide'. |
blackberry creek
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This is an interactive writing site for children ages 8-13. You can read stories, poems, skits, and cartoons by children, and see computer artwork created by children too. |
cbbc
 
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This an extension of BBCi, where children can find out more about their favourite Children's BBC programmes and their stars, play games, post messages and chat with other CBBC fans in the online forum and much, much more.
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CITV
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This is the online version of children's ITV, where children can find out more about their favourite programmes and stars, join the CITV fan club, and voice their own opinions of the site by posting messages to the CITV pinboards. |
cyberkids.com
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This is an interactive site for under 13s. Children can post creative works to the Cyberkids gallery, play games express their 'cyberviews' and chat online with their peers.
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gamegoo
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Join cute Gooey characters to play games that help infants develop early reading skills. This site is colorful, fun and nicely designed for little children.
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Global story train
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On this site children work together to make story trains with their own drawings and writing. This project was created for the July, 2000 United Nations G8 Summit.
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kaboose
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Kaboose features a collection of simple Shockwave games: build a train set, play music, color, race go-karts, practice counting, and play arcade games.
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kidsedge.com
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Have a blast while you learn. This site has games, activities and safe email for children. NextSchool offers personalized lessons with feedback and guidance for parents. As children use this site they collect Dotz which can be traded for prizes.
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Moose Crossing
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MOOSE Crossing is a MUD (multi-user domain) for under 13s. It is a synchronous communication space where children can expand their creative writing skills and learn to program at the same time. Children can create objects ranging from magic carpets to virtual pets to even a pokémon; a world based on their imag inations. |
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Nickelodeon
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Nickelodeon were the first to view children as empowered people in their own right. The tongue-in-cheek online extension to their TV network offers a humorous surf for all. Unless you are have a US zip code, though, you won't get very far in the US version of Nickelodeon online - it requires users to register before going into any interactive part of the site. So I've provided a link to Nickelodeon UK, which is much more user-friendly. Check out how different both versions actually are, if you get the chance!
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webmonkey for kids
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This is a fantastic site for young would-be- webdesigners, with a plethora of lessons in web programming and publishing, continual online projects and fast track tools.
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