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[Tyrone Slothrop]

Is anyone familiar with Kidzui? The FT made it sound like a pretty decent service:

• as the founders of Californian start-up KidZui (www._kidzui.com) realised, all filtering techniques have limitations. So instead of taking a “top down” filter or blacklist approach to the problem, they came up with a radically different ap_proach that combines elements of social networking and fun avatars to create a safe web surfing experience for children aged three to 12. Instead of blacklisting bad websites, the KidZui service, which is built on top of standard browser technology (Internet Explorer in the case of Windows machines, and Safari on Apple Macs), effectively “whitelists” the good ones – which have been identified and vetted by real people.
  
  KidZui launched last week after three years in development during which time it hired 200 teachers and parents from across the US to search the web for appropriate sites and content. So far, this team has identified 500,000 safe websites, still images and videos suitable for junior web surfers. Each piece of web content is categorised by appropriate age group and KidZui has an editorial team to keep its library up to date and expanding.
  
  KidZui has effectively built a child-friendly subset of the web that rewards curiosity. Unlike virtual worlds such as Club Penguin and Webkinz, KidZui makes use of existing web-based information and resources and complements school and other learning.
  
  Setting up the subscription-based service, which will cost parents $9.95 a month or $99.95 a year is easy. First, a parent downloads the software and signs up for the service. This is probably the best time to think about how you want your children to access the service.
  
  The safest option is a “locked down” mode that involves configuring the program so that when the PC is switched on the child has access only to the KidZui browser in full screen mode and cannot ac_cess the PC’s other features or software including other browsers. This digital playpen should protect most children, although a really determined older child could probably circumvent these restrictions.
  
  The child can choose from 8,000 content categories, including animals, hobbies, science or sports grouped into web, photo or video. The material alters depending on the child’s age. and parents can add or delete sites or subjects.
  
  It is easy to use even by the youngest children. For example, the home page displays both popular and most visited websites. Older children can also search the site by keyword using a search box or enter a web URL. The results are determined by a “kidrank” system that keeps track of how popular they are. If the web_site URL has not been approv_ed, the site is blocked pending review by the editorial team – something KidZui claims should happen within hours. Children are encouraged to rate content using a bank of “emoticons”, such as a smiley face, and to share their experiences with online buddies who are listed in a panel on the right-hand side.
  
  All friends must be ap_proved by parents and there is no messaging between friends; they can only share rated content and view other children’s points. They earn points by exploring the site and these points can then be used to kit out their Zui avatar.
  
  KidZui also sends weekly e-mails and online reports to keep parents up to date with their children’s online activities.
  
  The one truly certain way to protect young children from inappropriate content on the web is to keep them away from the internet altogether. KidZui provides perhaps the next best option for both parents and schools that want to enable children to explore the web safely and securely.

link (w/ more)