Yoursphere: Kids Creating and Sharing Online Communities

Earlier this month I announced that I am an Official Test Drive Mom for the social networking site for kids and teens, Yoursphere.  Together my 11yo daughter and I are having fun getting to know the site and its features, among them the idea of “Spheres.”

“Spheres” are areas of interest in one of many categories:  music, sports, art, gaming, tv & movies, and much more.   The staff at Yoursphere keeps conversation going by creating site spheres and engaging with questions and content, but kids and teens are HIGHLY encouraged to start spheres of their own based on what they love.

My daughter loves the ability to start conversations based on her interests.  She created spheres for the Nickelodeon show Avatar:  The Last Airbender, a sphere to celebrate Marvel Superheroes, and one specifically for Wolverine (her favorite!).  I think she loves being identified on the site as a “creator and manager” of her spheres, and I know she’s ecstatic when other members start commenting on her boards.

She’s also been very active commenting on other spheres as well, making friends with other kids her age over her love of Broadway, the movie Avatar, and her favorite music.

Only verified child members of Yoursphere can create and comment, so the conversation revolves entirely around what the kids want to talk about – which is perfect, if you think about it from an 11yo girl’s point of view!  My daughter has really loved it.  From an adult point-of-view, the spheres may sometimes seem repetitive or to overlap on some points, but honestly, I don’t think the kids care.  This is their place to be themselves (even if that means talking over themselves a little…which is what they do in real life, too!), and since I know they’re able to do it in a safe place, I’m happy, too.

*Disclosure: “I wrote this review while participating in the Yoursphere Test Drive program by Mom Central on behalf of Yoursphere. I received a free lifetime Gold membership on Yoursphere.com, Yoursphere t-shirts, and a $50 American Express gift card to facilitate my review.”

You might also enjoy these related posts from Tree, Root, and Twig:

1. Announcing: I’m a Yoursphere Test Drive Mom!
2. ourWorld: The Social Gaming Sphere on Yoursphere
3. eBay Rebrands Their Online Classifieds Site {Now They Tell Me!}

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