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Togetherville brings kids together online -- but why?
Okay, my headline gives away my bias. Between all the television, texting and cell phone use, computer use and video games that kids are already wrapped up in, along comes Togetherville -- or as I like to think of it, the candy cigarettes of online social networking.
Unveiled last week, Togetherville is billed as a way for kids under the age of 10 to have a social media network like Facebook. Parents select the kids and adults who will be in their child's inner circle. To comment on a child's post, a friend can pick from a preselected drop-down menu of chatter. If that friend wants to say something else, he or she must submit it so that it can be vetted by a grown-up.
This is supposed to be an intermediary step between an interactive game site such as Club Penguin and Facebook, which is not supposed to have users under 13 (but we already know that's not the case).
I do like that this was devised by a parent. Mandeep Singh Dhillon told CNN that it's based on "the spirit of the neighborhoods most of us remember when we were kids." I am glad that (so far at least) the site carries no advertising. And I like that there are a lot of parental controls on Togetherville, too.
But my big question is: Does anyone really need this? We're already worried about our kids sitting inside too much and snacking -- do we need to give them another reason to veg out at the computer instead of "interfacing" with their friends outside in the sunshine?
All in all, I have to agree with the expert the New York Times interviewed: “From the child’s perspective, I’m not sure what the benefit is. Believe me, kids will learn how to use technology and media when the time comes.”
-- Sherry Robinson
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Sharon Kennedy Wynne has sunscreen in her blood. She may have been born in Buffalo but she got here as fast as she could, in time for kindergarten. She grew up in St. Petersburg, graduated from the University of Florida journalism school, and even got married at Sunken Gardens. She's one of the few adults we know who actually loves taking her kids to the beach. She has two sons and with 10 years of parenting under her belt, she's starting to feel a little less out of her league. She comes from a large family and loves to debate, so brace yourself when the hot topics come up.
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Freelance writer Courtney Cairns Pastor wasn’t so sure about having kids and how she would balance child-rearing with her journalism career. It turned out that her journalism training went to good use. As the mom to a funny, active toddler, she learned to handle him like she did her sources. Never ask yes or no questions (the answer will always be no), get him to be specific (are you crying because you’re wet or your tooth hurts?) and be prepared for anything because no two days are the same. When she’s not playing trucks, Courtney crams for her book club, trains for races and occasionally bursts into showtunes. E-mail her at 
Suzannah DiMarzio has it bad for the Mouse. Although she grew up outside of Boston, she took her degree in tourism management down to Orlando just to work at Disney and the travel industry. Of course, when she married her high school sweetheart, the reception was at Disney. She’s now a seasoned stay-at-home mom to two tweens and a toddler – and yes, that is as crazy as it sounds. Suzannah has her own blog, Comment Policy
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