'Togetherville' founder calls growth of kids' networking site 'phenomenal'

[Commentary] A look at Togetherville.

Togetherville's pitch is that it creates a social network that gives parents a strong measure of control in shaping their kids' online activities. Only parents and legal guardians can approve the addition of friends, and the content, such as YouTube videos, requires approval. (Togetherville's board of advisers includes Anne Collier, co-founder of ConnectSafely.org and Ann McCormick, founder of The Learning Company.)

A reviewer on Common Sense Media, a site that invites parental reviews credited Togetherville for "super-safe posts that use scripted phrases, and the ability to socialize with known friends — without stranger-danger and inappropriate posts." But, she added: "On the downside, Togetherville trains kids in the use of social networking, a habit which may not be something parents feel they need to nurture."

Togetherville is counting on its social networking and security aspects to give it an edge in a competitive environment that includes such popular websites as Neopets and Disney's Club Penguin. Another newcomer offering social networking aspects is Tiny Planets, based on an animated television series by the same name. Tiny Planets, which has offices in London and Palo Alto and touts the appeal of "an imaginary space-themed experience," also has aspects of social networking. Meanwhile, the child-security sector is also growing: SafetyWeb, a Colorado startup service that markets itself as an "online guardian angel" to help parents monitor their child's activity on the Web, recently secured second round of funding for $8 million.