Looks like we’re getting another heat wave this week. Despite my best efforts to find frugal and fun summer entertainment out of the house sometimes it’s necessary to stay indoors. Especially during the middle of the day when the sun is at it’s highest point we hibernate indoors, and one way I keep the kids busy during the summer is using more screen time than we do during the school year. The computer is their favorite way to keep occupied since they can play games, and they each get their own time on the computer to do what they want. I set it up so they have an hour (and they don’t always use it) and love that our Mac makes their time being up super easy (it just closes).
The girls though at 7 & 9 are getting a little too old for our favorite sites like Nick Jr and Disney Junior, so when I recently learned about Yoursphere I was excited to have them try something new.
Yoursphere is a free online community for kids aimed at tweens and young teens that allows them to connect with other kids, and play games in a safe online space. As a mom of 4 I’m always concerned about the kids finding content that’s not appropriate for them, and I’ve found that many game sites for older kids have inappropriate ads, or contain graphic games that I would prefer they don’t play. My girls are new to Yoursphere, and have so far enjoyed playing games and looking around the site. They can also create spheres, a sphere is the Yoursphere word for a group for kids with similar interests.
How does Yoursphere work?
Your child sets up an account, and you approve it via email. Your accounts are linked together so they can’t set one up without parental approval.
What can kids do in Yoursphere?
- update their status
- join and create spheres based on their interests
- play games
- create blogs
- and more!
Signing up for Yoursphere.com is free, and that kids can sign up only with parental verification by email. You can either have your child create an account and activate it with your email or create your child’s account with yours. If you sign up using my link (YS11-G2N6) your child will get 75 credits to spend in the Yoursphere Gift Gallery.
More info/ ways to connect
Connect with Yoursphere on Facebook and Twitter or reach out to @YoursphereMom (their mom ambassador) with questions about the service.
One of the great things about social media is it allows you to connect with the brains behind a business. Yoursphere founder Mary Kay writes a blog on helping parents teach their children about online safety, and you can also follow her on twitter @MaryKayHoal.
Do your kids belong to Yoursphere? What do they like to play online?
Kelly
Disclosure: This is a paid post in my role as a Summer Fun Mom Ambassador for Yoursphere.
© 2011, Whalen Media LLC. All rights reserved. To repost or publish, please email Kelly.
