safe/fun message boards for 9 yr old?

[Aubergine68]

My dd is jealous of my message boards, lol!

She'd like to play, too....she's bookish, creative, outgoing, and would like to find a place to start forming some online friendships (under close parental supervision).

I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas. I'd love to find a site for teens/preteens she could sign onto that shares our values -- not too closely linked with toys or mass merchandise, respectful, ideally promoting values that are family friendly, inclusive of all kinds of difference, and eco-friendly too.

Too much to ask?

[ziggy]

I'm always one to suggest www.sheroescentral.com. I know we've had members as young as 9/10. It was founded by two authors of YA books, but you really can discuss anything there. It's incredibly safe, and I know almost every admin (As in, personally. I've stayed at many of their houses.) and we're, for the most part, a great group of (mostly feminist, mostly female) young adults.

[Aubergine68]

Thanks, ziggy!

We're checking that one out. Looks like just what we wanted. The fantasy fiction angle is perfect for us, as both dd and I love fantasy!

[Ruthla]

Thanks! I just shared that link with my 11yo!

[papayapetunia]

I just found out that New Moon has two online message boards. One is for 8-12 I think, and one is for 13-15. I think you have to pay a small fee, but for some reason that seems safer to me. Anyway, I'm going to check it out.

[my2kidz]

Some of my dd's favorite ones are: Nicktriopolis and Club Penguin. But I think the chats are very limited as to what they can say, for example they can pick from a variety of pre-made sentences to chat but cannot enter their own words. She wanted to chat so I let her open a gmail account and she added all her friends and chats only with people she knows.

[Aubergine68]

Thanks for the suggestions!

I'm pleased to have more sites to check out for her. We limit computer time, but even so, I'd rather have her developing writing/typing skills than playing games all the time when she is on computer....

[onelilguysmommy]

Originally Posted by my2kidz

Some of my dd's favorite ones are: Nicktriopolis and Club Penguin. But I think the chats are very limited as to what they can say, for example they can pick from a variety of pre-made sentences to chat but cannot enter their own words. She wanted to chat so I let her open a gmail account and she added all her friends and chats only with people she knows.

my kid has a penguin. its like 6 bucks a month unless you just play games which is what he does since hes not old enough( nor do i have the money for him to) do the other stuff.. you can talk to each other. its really weird lol.

[JustOneMore]

Stay away from Gaia Online. Its an anime role playing game and community. They are notorious for having adults that approach kids or even act as kids in order to approach kids and the staff, in my experience, doesnt take complaints of such things seriously at all.

www.perverted-justice.com is a good source for information on making the internet safe for our kids.