I am a website maker professionally, but that does not mean that I want my kids to be particularly involved in the Internet. I have seen firsthand how many perils the net holds, and I know that no parent can possibly keep their child totally safe when online. Nonetheless, my children love all things that have to do with electronic media. I can't simply shut them out of the Internet – that would only provoke rebellion. Instead, I have investigated websites for kids. Letting them see a safe, carefully controlled website for kids and play kids games online is a fun, safe way for them to see the Internet.
Unfortunately, there aren't that many very good websites for kids. Your typical website for kids is made by someone who is selling something. Either they want you to buy their games, eat their cereals, take a trip to their tourist destination, or something else commercial. Finding places where kids can get interesting, original content on the Internet that is carefully tailored to their maturity level and needs is a little bit hard.
Still, if you are willing to put in the time as a parent – which is what being a good parent is all about – you can find a website for kids on almost any subject. When my children were doing history reports, for example, I helped them find literally dozens of history websites for kids. Some of these included fascinating, primary historical sources that they could look at. Internet sites for kids can be a great addition to traditional research using books.
I have even been inspired to make my own website for kid. As a professional web designer and parent, I am uniquely aware of all of the things that kids need in an Internet site. The website for kids that I am working on has everything for them – links to academic resources, information on current events all over the world, fun games, kids literature, and even a way for them to meet children in foreign countries.
Of course, my website for kids is too important of a resource to charge money for. Although I am sure that I could make some cash using it, I would rather not. After all, making a good website for kids – one that is child safe and educational – is reward enough for me. There need to be more websites like that, and it starts with web designers like myself.
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