(x-post) Kids interests forum - what are your thoughts?

[dereksurfs]

Hi,

 

I was wondering what folks thoughts are on having a section for kids to discuss things they are interested in educationally? The reason I bring this up is that it came up in another thread in which parents are talking about starting WTM Photography Group for kids to share and discuss photography. This led me to a larger question regarding a place where WTM community kids could discuss a variety of educational topics of interests. This could include things like photography, origami, robotics, programming, legos, astronomy, etc... I was thinking it could be a private group via invitation or something similar.

 

Then I asked how that would fit in here or not? What are your thoughts of a kid's corner? Would it somehow change things here possibly? Maybe parents would be less inclined to post if they thought their kids came here too? We have such a great and rather large community. I am just thinking of ways to make it easy for parents to help their kids connect with others who have common interests in fun ways.

 

I know some parents have found pen pals for their kids through other parents here. So I'm pretty sure we could find other kids interested in a variety of educational topics.

 

If not a good location here we could consider creating a new forum somewhere else using some of the free forum hosts out there such as:

 

http://www.makeforum.org/

http://www.invisionfree.com/

http://www.forumotion.com/

http://www.proboards.com/free-forum

http://www.hyperboards.com/

 

Someone on the HS board has used hyberboards for another photography forum. What are your thoughts? Do you think any of your kids would be interested?

[dereksurfs]

Please not that I posted this in the general education area as well since I wanted general feedback along with the admins here. Here is that thread:

http://forums.welltr...-your-thoughts/

 

The general concensus so far is that while most parents like the idea no one wanted their kids on 'this' same site. I guess many would feel less likely to share what's on their minds candidly if their kiddos were hanging around and possibly listening in.

 

Another thing I realized when brainstorming this with OhElizabeth is that most forums have minimum age requirements such as 13 with a parents approval. Our oldest is 11 and would like participate. But that would not work with the rules and regs on hyperboard for example. So we'll have to wait until he is 13 to use that board. I know there are sites like AoPS where a parent can sign up a student. I think something that would be required for the younger, non-teen kids. For now its looks like 13+ is an age limitation.

[PeterPan]

I did a little checking, and yes it does appear that 13+ is a Hyperboards policy, sorry.