This is what my son wildly exclaimed yesterday afternoon after taking the new internet browser for a spin. True, it's the greatest web tool I've seen for kids but Joey was blown away by it. Tradtionally, parental controls are used to restrict a child's ability to access the internet which makes if difficult for many, especially young children or those with disabilities, to enjoy the freedom of "surfing the net." Three tech guys (Cliff, Vidar, & Tom who created Infogate) were trying to decide on their next venture when inspiration struck. Vidar noticed his kids were spending more and more time in the internet. Knowing all the inappropriate things out there, their KidZui was born. KidZui is a new kind of internet browser designed to expand a child's ability to surf the net safely. The trio recruited 5,000 teachers, kids and parents during the beta stages to test and recommend various features and sites. Today KidZui is fully functional with over 1 million webpages, photos, and videos built into the browser.
We downloaded Kidzui for FREE and Joey's internet experience has been changed. The FREE version includes some great options like:
- Child's password protected logon
- Separate parent's password protected logon
- Easy to use homepage with Home Button, Most Popular, Most Tagged, and Friends Community areas
- Fun tagging options like (lame, cool, best, worse, etc)
- Customizable Avatar called Zui's
- Webpage screen shots along with webpage titles
- Easy to use search toolbar that does double duty for direct webpage access when the address is keyed in
- Weekly parental email of childs online activity
- Desktop icon for easy access
- Parent's screen offers ability to authorize or deny access to specific websites they deem inappropriate
The membership version offers more avatar and desktop customizations, greater detailed parental reporting, and many other things. The cost is as less than $8.00 per month or under $40.00 for an entire year.
Joey's an 8 year old boy with high functioning ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). One of his biggest obstacles is his Short Term Memory Deficit (things don't stick in his mind without TONS and TONS of repition) which makes reading, following directions, and other simple tasks difficult for him to follow through with. KidZui's browser has overcome this obstacle for him when it comes to playing on the internet. The home button and the screen shots help him navigate the web on his own. There's nothing more satisfying to a parent than to see your child who struggles with being self-reliant suddenly find something they can do themselves without help. Of course the games can be tricky but he didn't let that stop him! It's the first time I've ever seen Joey stick with something like this and not give up out of frustration. He surfed the net for over an hour when I had to boot him off! lol I am a very pleased parent and very optimistic over this new product!
I liked the ability to change individual webpage access, the visibility parents have from webpage activity, to friends, as well as having multiple kids under one parental master account. This is truly an innovative tool for children and parents alike. KidZui's been celebrated in the media like the Today Show, New York Journal, The Wall Street Journal and even CNet for providing children with a safer internet experience.
Contest Information
Now, there's more fun stuff. I know what you're thinking "What can be more fun that watching your kid SAFELY enjoy the internet while you get to quietly drink your tea and watch the evening news?" Well, there's a contest that going on to promote the new browser. Twittermoms (which is a great mom group) sent me an RAMBO email alert about this wonderful new browser and contest. There's three ways to win and they even reward those who help me win which is totally cool! Here is the copied text from the email so no one thinks there anythin hinky going on :)
Prizes:
• The blogger who receives the most comments will win a $250 Nordstrom Gift Card plus 6-month free premium memberships for their readers and followers who download KidZui using their special url link
• The blogger who receives the most insightful comments will win a $250 Nordstrom Gift Card plus 6-month free premium membership for their readers and followers who download KidZui using their special url link
• The blogger who creates the biggest Twitter discussion (tweets, replies, and retweets all count) about KidZui will win a $250 Nordstrom Gift Card plus 6-month free premium membership for their readers and followers who download KidZui using their special url link. Just be sure to keep it real, moms: authenticity rules on Twitter.
- To qualify for any of the three, you must download KidZui with this link
- Then either leave me some comment love OR you can retweet the following for an entry (or you can do both just to ensure we're competitive in the contest)
Here's your chance to win 6 mos FREE membership to #KidZui http://tinyurl.com/avrvg9 Pls RT
Even if we don't win a free subscription, we still win with KidZui by empowering our children to surf the web knowing their little eyes will be protected from the big bad world out there!
Last month, I was blessed to receive Kenny Loggins newest album, All Join In. I was quite surprised when I popped it in my CD player. I normally listen to country, top 40, or rock music-think 80's hair bands or 90's boy bands. I know, awful isn't it? lol I like something with a snappy beat I can dance and sing along with while I vacuum or do the dishes. It helps keep me motivated! 
