Social Networking for Children and Teachers

September 7th, 2008 by mas | Filed under Innovation & Technology, Resources.

I’ve been having a play with Imbee - a “social network for kids, parents & teachers”. To sign up adults have to verify their identity by providing credit card details or alternatively you can provide a form of ‘Government ID (like a driving license) by fax or phone.

Children can sign up themselves but need to have their account authorised by their parents (who are sent an email requiring validation as above).

Teachers that register are able to sign up students in their classes and can even use downloadable lesson plans based on lessons to help students understand how to use the network. Thoughtfully the service also includes ‘Parental Permission Slips’ and after teachers sign up they are sent out a free ‘teachers pack’. Within class networks teachers can choose to be able to approve friend requests for students and also have the ability to reset their passwords.

The network itself is closed - theres no ability to search other users on the site, as its designed for interaction between ‘real’ friends.

Once in the site offers the usual stuff you’d expect - customising your profile, adding photos, videos, music, writing blogs etc. You can also create your own ‘trading cards’ to exchange with friends.

I think the design of the site could be improved (visually) but as a concept its a great idea. Its something Teachers (and Youth Workers?) can use to safely educate children/young people in using a social network. They can also take advantage of things like creating groups to manage projects. I think the involvement of parents is really good (and too often overlooked by many services).

What’s also interesting about this is that because of the closed nature, the focus is on the ’social networking’, compared to the likes of Myspace et al. where arguably theres a greater focus on promotion (self and corporate).