Many parents across the world find it a struggle to continuously protect their child away from explicit content on websites that is not meant to be intentionally harmful towards their audience. Websites such as; Twitter and Facebook, are perfect sociable networking websites that tend to have explicit content through other people statuses (for example). Many parents are of the interest of having their young ones not “grow up too fast” due to the “commercial websites” that tend to do the thinking for them. This can effectively brain wash these young teens which many parents refrain their kids from visiting. So how do parents prevent their teens from visiting these kinds of websites?
Bunkimunki.com is specifically made for ‘tweens’ (7-15) that can experience a variety of unique opportunity to learn about their “personal growth as they mature into their teenage years”. This website provides a “safe online community” for many teens to use their imagination to the fullest thus making them creative. Bunkimunki’s main goals are to encourage kids to mature, safely so that they can “spread their wings, and happily discover their values and their full potential.” Websites like these provides assurance that social networking isn’t just aimed at young adults and above; young children can voice their opinion like anyone else in the world, within a safe environmental way of social networking.
Young teens can interact with people there age range, with many cool applications such as creating their own house with many types of appliances and items purchase with virtual money they can earn called “bunki bucks”. This website is a way to tap into the young minds, making them grow and flourish into mature adults. Activities such as; journal writing, music creation, earning badges, and playing games, are sure to keep these teens occupied in the way parents would like. Also, Parents that are not sure about the security of Bunkimunki.com need not be, as the site is designed to maximize security which includes privacy features such as strict “no real/full names policy and a language filter.”
What are your views? Good idea?
http://www.sociableblog.com/2011/10/26/bunkimunki-social-network-for-tweens/
Children start using and interacting with computers from a very young age and it is very important to monitor which sites they use as some may be harmful - 'secondlife' may not be appropriate for children as young as 7 as they can come across a 'nude beach.'
ReplyDeleteBunkimunki.com sounds like an interesting concept as it aids learning and brain stimulation as well as creativity and life skills e.g.using money. I think this is what parents are looking for, rather than the usual social media and gaming which are seen as brainwashing, harmful and 'dumbs ' children.
It does sound like an interesting concept, but kids tend to imitate what adults do. So if your older brother uses Facebook you are going to want to use Facebook. I don't think it will stop the younger from using other choices.
ReplyDeleteI think its a great idea, Its good for children to get a head start with social activity in a much appropriate manner, also helps them voice opinions at an early age, instead of them being thrown into the deep end of mature social networking.
ReplyDeleteIt's something to think about in the future when we all have kids, REMEMBER THIS SITE!! because we all know how much social media can brain wash everyone.
ReplyDeleteconcerning Fran's comment, this is true, however
if parents start their kids(at a young age)using sites such as bunkimunki.com, then the kids would have that basic knowledge (as they mature) to choose other sites for themselves regardless on whether their brother or sister has signed up to other 'adult' sites.
I have a really hard time when I see young kids of 9, 10, 11 who are allowed to go on Facebook by their parents. They should instead be using sites like BunkiMunki that promote volunteerism, journal writing, fun games and learning the value of money. If you look closely at BunkiMunki you will see he is different, one leg longer than the other one arm longer than the other, it teaches tolerance as well.
ReplyDelete