Recommended kid communities

Izzy Neis has done parents a real service in publishing her list of about two dozen "Worthy Kid/Tween Communities" (emphasis on "community," she posted in our forum, ConnectSafely.org). "Community" is important because tweens and lots of kids like socializing online as much teens do, but they're too young for places like Facebook, Bebo, and MySpace. So it's good to know what the age-appropriate spots are. Underneath Izzy's list are more sites in her readers' comments (she'll check them out and add them to her list if she feels they're worthy too). She also provides another list of sites that are not for people under 14. Author, children's entertainment specialist, and blogger Izzy describes herself as "a cookie connoisseur, pop culture aficionado … and a zealot in the pro-kid movement." Meanwhile, the Associated Press recently look at the pre-tween end of the social Web in general, while the Pioneer Press zoomed in on Webkinz.