dereksurfs Posted March 6, 2013 Share Posted March 6, 2013 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 in something like this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dereksurfs Posted March 7, 2013 Author Share Posted March 7, 2013 I'd love a forum for that, but not on this one. I would feel less free to talk about my kids. KWIM? Not that I give out lots and lots of details, but ya know... Wendy, I was thinking something similar. I know a lot of parents come here to share and may not feel as comfortable doing so with their kiddos possibly listening in. :seeya: One way could be to limit this forum to ages 18 and older. But maybe an entirely different location would be better. I know our kids could have fun joining a forum or group of kids with like minded interests. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 It would take moderator time. I like TWTM being a parent forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dereksurfs Posted March 7, 2013 Author Share Posted March 7, 2013 It would take moderator time. I like TWTM being a parent forum. Yes, I think we all like having a 'parent' forum to unwind, share what's on our minds, our frustrations, etc... And that shouldn't change. But what are your thoughts regarding a WTM kids forum or sub forum *somewhere* for them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 I'm working on it through the hyperboards service. As soon as I have it functional, I'll let you know. If someone has a better plan, that's fine too. I think this hyperboards route *might* address all our concerns. Just gotta finish configuring it to see. BTW, someone asked about ads. There *is* an ad-free option, but it costs $6.99 for 30 days or 50K views, whichever comes first. There's also a free 14 day trial of the ad-free. I'm allowing the ads to go up for right, because we might as well see what they're like and whether they're an issue. I have ad block software on my computer, so I'm not even sure I'll see them, even with them on. You'll have to see what you think when it's set up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 I've got the categories made. Now I'm going through the skins. I like how it's turning out, if that means anything. I think you all will enjoy it too. It could be a much more exciting resource than I even anticipated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 I know the boards are public, but I would prefer kids stay separate... different location entirely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanvan Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 That's great, Elizabeth! I think Ds would love this. Not long ago he said "I wish I had a board to go to like you do." He doesn't do Facebook or anything like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lang Syne Boardie Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 I know the boards are public, but I would prefer kids stay separate... different location entirely. Me, too. 100%. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dereksurfs Posted March 7, 2013 Author Share Posted March 7, 2013 That's great, Elizabeth! I think Ds would love this. Not long ago he said "I wish I had a board to go to like you do." He doesn't do Facebook or anything like it. Shannon, my son said the same thing! It was something like "I wish I had a place to share my photography, lego and origami creations." :blush: We don't allow him on facebook, twitter or other public social networking sites. I thought something like this forum for kids would be great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 I'm just about done! When I'm pretty sure it's ready to play with, I'll start a new thread and let you see. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quark Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 Thank you Oh E! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanvan Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 I'm just about done! When I'm pretty sure it's ready to play with, I'll start a new thread and let you see. :) I'm curious to see your categories. Ds will want: Dogs, history, public speaking, and what I'd rather be doing besides biology. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dereksurfs Posted March 7, 2013 Author Share Posted March 7, 2013 I'm curious to see your categories. Ds will want: Dogs, history, public speaking, and what I'd rather be doing besides biology. All good ideas, but the last one especially has tremendous potential. lol :D :D :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samiam Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 Nah, not for my children. They are already wired enough with video games, iPods, iPads, laptops, etc. For some of those games, they are interacting online with other children. I don't need another electronic habit. And I say that because WTM forums are a HABIT of mine, meaning I feel the need to check in 1-3 times a day to see what's new here. That being said, I'm doing this as an adult, longer after I've led a life where I've learned to interact with real people in real life. While I get that today's life is all about interacting online, I think that children, at least my children, need to learn and practicing interacting in REAL life, in person, before becoming so hyper-focused on online interactions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 I'm curious to see your categories. Ds will want: Dogs, history, public speaking, and what I'd rather be doing besides biology. Oh I had WAY too much fun with this, hehe. You can assure him the dogs made it in. :D http://welltrainedphotogs.hyperboards.com/action/register'>http://welltrainedphotogs.hyperboards.com/action/register'>http://welltrainedphotogs.hyperboards.com/action/register'>http://welltrainedphotogs.hyperboards.com/action/register Go here and try to register. Hopefully this works. The boards are as private as my snooping could make them. What you have to do is go through their process, register, and then send ME an email at the address in the board rules. It gets repeated in the welcome message and in the Register section, so you can't miss it. None of the board, except for that Register section, is visible to people who have not been fully approved by me. I've tested it, and I think I've got it set up correctly. So I *think* we have a level of privacy people can feel very comfortable with. I removed the FB/whatever sharing button, so that's not even an issue. Obviously if you post pictures that are not saved in a right-click protected environment (like Smugmug, which has that option), someone could save your images. However, everything I can tweak from my end, I've tweaked. I'll start a new thread to let people know, but that's the jist of it. Head over and register. See what you think. :) http://welltrainedphotogs.hyperboards.com/action/register Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dereksurfs Posted March 7, 2013 Author Share Posted March 7, 2013 This is great OhElizabeth! Thanks so much. So I went through the registration process. But I did not see a place to send you an email. Maybe I'm missing something obvious? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redheadmom Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 This is great. My DD is signing up. We recently started a message board for her and girls to talk about girly stuff and homeschooling. http://aghomeschool.boardhost.com I liked the message board options for the same reasons - more privacy, every member has to be approved and it is a good substitute for facebook. I hope that the homeschool kids can get together and talk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrysalis Academy Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 Hmm, just tried to register, but I get an error message that "only members are allowed access to this forum" when I try to register . . . am I not following directions correctly?? Always a strong possibility. . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 Hi y'all, I'm a little under the weather, so I'm just now getting back to you. The info to verify with the admin is in the Board Rules (that theoretically everyone reads before clicking the tab), in an email all new members are sent, AND in the Register tab which is the only section new, non-verified members can access. So you have three chances. :) Chrysalis, that screen just means you can't see the rest of the forum until you register. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanvan Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 Hi y'all, I'm a little under the weather, so I'm just now getting back to you. The info to verify with the admin is in the Board Rules (that theoretically everyone reads before clicking the tab), in an email all new members are sent, AND in the Register tab which is the only section new, non-verified members can access. So you have three chances. :) Chrysalis, that screen just means you can't see the rest of the forum until you register. I'm under the weather too, and I probably shouldn't have even tried it b/c I royally messed it up. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dereksurfs Posted March 8, 2013 Author Share Posted March 8, 2013 I'm in and it looks really nice. For those having trouble make sure you finalize registration through getting an email confirmation which you can then click on. OhElizabeth sends those out I'm pretty sure. I didn't notice it at first as its from no-reply@hyperboards.com. Unfortunately it looks like I'll need to wait until ds11 turns13 because of certain age restrictions which apply to forum registration. Oh well, I guess a couple of years aren't so bad. I read up on this a bit more and its based upon the COPPA - Children's Online Privacy Protection Act. If websites allow kids under 13 to register they typically require parental consent and verification of some type. I think AoPS does something similar for Alcumus for example. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 I'm under the weather too, and I probably shouldn't have even tried it b/c I royally messed it up. :( You didn't mess it up, lol. It's just a little screwy looking till you're totally in. Go check it out. :) This should take you to the home page of the board. http://welltrainedphotogs.hyperboards.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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