[WebPub] Media Browser for Kids

[Lisa C. Mayer]

MIT WebPub <http://webpub.mit.edu>

Media browser for kids 
<http://webpub.mit.edu/2009/05/media-browser-for-kids/>

May 5th, 2009


I'm testing out a new media browser called KIDO'Z <http://kidoz.net/> 
with my son, and think its good enough to pass along here. I found out 
about it through TechCrunch, here's the blurb from their newsletter 
<http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/05/04/no-childs-play-kidoz-creates-a-kid-friendly-media-browser/>:

>     KIDO'Z is a pretty nifty Adobe AIR-powered desktop browser app 
> that gives kids a safe and fun environment to play games, watch videos 
> and/or visit pre-approved websites. When you first install the AIR app 
> as a parent, you can configure the age and gender of your offspring as 
> well as your location and preferred language (there are 17 available).
>
>     What's nice is that all these settings are taken into account at a 
> content level, so KIDO'Z automatically caters the media it think is 
> most suited for your kid(s) at first launch. As a parent you get 
> password-protected access to an admin panel where you can add more or 
> restrict access to certain content, set limited time frames for usage, 
> and so on.
>
>     All content only shows up when a KIDO'Z team member approved the 
> content beforehand, and to add more layers of security all scripts, 
> file downloads, pop-ups and any other attempts that could lead to 
> content which has not been approved, are thoroughly blocked.
>
>     To use the app, kids won't need to know how to read or write since 
> obviously the whole UI is quite visual of nature, and very colorful to 
> boot. The main menu of the KIDO'Z browser currently consists of three 
> categories: games, videos and websites. All media can be opened and 
> viewed inside the app's interface, and in fact kids can only leave the 
> KIDO'Z environment by exiting the browser altogether. CEO Gai Havkin 
> tells me the tool will later be extended to a closed network of 
> communication tools, including e-mail and instant messaging features 
> (see last screenshot), making it more of a social experience but 
> without the security and privacy hazards of existing services.


-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://mailman.mit.edu/pipermail/webpub/attachments/20090505/5e0d9b7f/attachment.htm
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: header-email.gif
Type: image/gif
Size: 5398 bytes
Desc: not available
Url : http://mailman.mit.edu/pipermail/webpub/attachments/20090505/5e0d9b7f/attachment.gif