KidFu offers a human solution to the online safety problem

Sending kids online today is often like letting them swim at a pool with no lifeguards. But KidFu.com, a new site that launches this week, offers kids a chance to interact safely online through chat, bulletin boards and one-to-one messaging in a fully monitored environment unlike any available online today.

KidFu's policies and methods of monitoring based on the highly popular children's Web site FreeZone.com, which led the field in safe chat and kid-driven interaction from 1995 to 2001 differ from many other services in that they rely on highly trained staff rather than on software.

At FreeZone we succeeded in providing a place where more than 800,000 kids worldwide could rise above geographical barriers and cultural differences and gather to have fun, chat, hone their writing and social skills and stay safe, said Co-Founder Chris Rettstatt.

However, we realized that in order to sustain and increase the level of safety and quality, we would not be able to offer the service for free. At FreeZone we set a standard, and now at KidFu we're raising the bar higher.

Subscriptions to KidFu are available for $10/month and are good for up to 3 accounts. The service features proprietary community software, which emphasizes a simple, kid-friendly design and robust screening, administrative and quality control tools.

KidFu policies were developed with the help of child experts from numerous fields, ranging from law enforcement to child psychology.

KidFu's launch is a welcome chance to let kids have all-too-rare worry-free fun on the Internet, said Elizabeth Lascoutx, executive director of the Children's Advertising Review Unit, the self-regulatory arm of the children's advertising industry. There's a real need for a safe, stimulating online community for kids. These folks have proven they know how to provide that.

KidFu.com chats are lead by trained adult safety specialists called Chat Jockeys, or CJs, and include such activities as language-learning, historical role play, brain games, and special guest events. The KidFu discussion boards cover a variety of topics, ranging from music to school to embarassing moments. KidFu's proprietary screened messaging system, the Note Passer, promises to take messaging to a new level of safety.

In addition, KidFu.com publishes a kid-written e-magazine called The Pickle Press, which enables young journalists the opportunity to polish and publish their articles. For kids who want to get more involved, there are a number of junior jobs available.

Asked about the challenge of launching a new site in the current market, Rettstatt responded, We realized it would be a challenge, but we also felt strongly that we couldn't leave the kids without a protected, supportive environment online where they could feel safe, not only from the growing throngs of predators who are making inappropriate contact with one out of five kids online, but also from everyday bigots and bullies.

We wanted there to be a place where kids could be themselves and could celebrate and discuss their backgrounds, beliefs and interests without worrying about abuse or harassment.

About The Author:

Hugo Hudson is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-kids.com. Helping parents find kid-approved clothes, toys, games, books, activities and more.

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KidFu offers a human solution to the online safety problem