Email providers for kids?

[kimwim8]

My DD8.5 wants an email account. I never expected this to be an option this young, but I'd say 90% of her friends have them. If it's the right type of provider, I don't see a problem with it (and I will have her user ID & password to monitor things). My DH and I use Comcast for our internet service, but I don't feel comfortable letting DD have Comcast, since the main page has all types of world news and entertainment news headlines, that I don't think she should have complete access to.

Do any of you use a specific kid friendly email provider? I'm not really ready for her to be IM-ing with friends, so I'd like the provider to not have that feature, or if it did - I'd like the option of locking that feature for now. Maybe I'm asking too much, but I'd love to hear advise and experiences from the other parents out there.

Thanks so much!

 

[I'mNoPrince]

DD has had a MSN account since she was about that age .

It's set to exclusive (parental control)and can only receive addies I approve for her.

I know others like G-mail and a few others have Kids accounts as well that the parent can set up.

Another option si to use something like Outlook Express that way they don't have to log into a Web-sight to see their mail.

 

[aprilgail2]

My 7 year olds email account is an AOL one- I can block who can email her, block all emails with any kind of links or pics in them.

 

[mommasita]

My daughter has had one for about 2 years.. Hotmail, I just monitor EVERYTHING...SHe is 8..

 

[JVL1018]

My kids have their email accounts on KOL(AOL for kids). It's great, everything except kid stuff is blocked, and I can approve sites that they ask to go on they are blocked by KOL.

 

[kimwim8]

Thank you so much for the info! I really appreciate your help.

 

[dcentity2000]

No contest - the best free provider is GMail, run by Google. It's fantastic.

For the record, I hate Hotmail.



Rich::

 

[sha_lyn]

I would stick wiht comcast if I were you. You can set your DD's comcast settings so that the kids page is her home page. You can have as much management of their browsing and email setting as you want. You can pretty much set it so they can't send or receive any email without your approval. Same with viewing webpages.

 

[Whedonist]

I also recommend Gmail. I just switched to Gmail from Yahoo! Mail so I could use it with my computer's mail software. I love it!

 

[Freyja]

No contest - the best free provider is GMail, run by Google. It's fantastic.

For the record, I hate Hotmail.



Rich::

I agree! I have never recieved so little spam in my e-mail life. I recommend it.