Ok, so maybe toddlers was a bit aggressive, but you get the point that social networks are starting to really gain traction with pre-teens. I’m not sure where I weigh in on this issue other than it was inevitable that it was going to happen, I’m sure the next big wave will be social networks for grandmas and grandpas. Next thing you know my grandma is going to call me up on my celly and say “yo have you checked out my myGrandma profile, I just added “Amazing Grace” as my userpage song” (Although I admit she is a cool cat and I would get a smile out of this). That said I’ll refrain from my opinion till I have actually thought about this some more. Here is a list of the top little kid social networks and their safety features:

ClubPenguin.com
The main safey precautions that ClubPenguin takes is that for a little one to sign up they need to have a valid parent’s email address, they can only use scripted conversations in chatting with others, and their are online moderators at all times.

Imbee.com
Imbee took a different approach they still require parental approval but added that parents also get to monitor content, and the parents have to approve all interaction before members can talk. The last feature is basically the same as when you were little asking if you could play at your friend Ben’s house. This is one of the most effective safety features.

Neopets.com
Just like above, they require a parent’s email address and they have online moderators.

Whyville.net
To join this tween social network the parent of the member must fax in chatting permissions and take a safety test if they want to chat.
Toontown.com
Sort of like Imbee Toontown requires parent permission for any interaction with others as well as offers online moderators to oversee conversations.
Tweenland.com
Perhaps the flexible or easiest of all the tween social networks there is some online moderating as well as filtered words and content.

Information partially provided by BusinessWeek

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