Most of the mainstream video content that's available online is, unsurprisingly, targeted at the people who use the internet most independently - teens and adults. And when we're looking for something to watch online, it's nice to be shielded from the malware and other pitfalls of illicit content.
But when it comes to the shows our kids watch online, safety takes on whole new dimensions. For them, you'll be happy to know there's a place they can safely and easily watch some of their favorite cartoon shows online: KidsWB.com.
KidsWB.com is a fairly sheltered environment, relatively easy to navigate and featuring a number of ways to keep your child busy. WB has its own classic characters as well as children's versions of DC Comics characters like Batman and Superman.
The site does genuinely seem to steer kids directly toward the content. As you can see above, the basic options are Video, Games and Downloads, although if you're looking for something specific, there's a very simple search option or they can click directly on their favorite show.
The site has over 200 episodes spread out over all its shows, old and new, with the typical episode clocking in at a bit over 20 minutes.
The video player is purposely light on functions: besides being able to play, pause and change the volume, it has a full-screen option (which can only be undone by use of the Escape key, if you want to set it up ahead of time).
Besides video, Kids' WB has, last we checked, 132 Flash-type games of various styles, which should keep any kid busy for a while. And it has a wide variety of downloadable content - wallpaper, a few types of widgets, printable activities and more.
It does feature a few advertisements, of the kind you would see on the TV network: toys and cereal, mainly. In videos, you'll only have to endure two short commercials for each episode. If your child should click on one of the banner advertisements, a banner will appear for 10 seconds warning that they're leaving Kids' WB, and should check with a parent before using any personal information.
The same warning appears if the child should click on the DVD Showcase and then click the little "Buy It Now!" button, which redirects them to the WB Online DVD Store, which in turn requires knowledge of how to add to a cart and order. There's not much room for mischief, but depending on your situation you may want to lightly monitor your kid's activity... or just hide the credit cards.
Some extra features at the site require registration, with the assurance that Kids' WB keeps a strict privacy policy, and rarely uses more than a first name and an email address even for things that are not viewed publicly.
For even younger kids (i.e. preschool age), the partner site KidsWBJr.com is even more insulated. Featuring "baby" versions of the Kids' WB characters, Kids' WB Jr. is highly simplified, using simple shapes, big text, bright colors and even voice cues to aid navigation.
There are only a few things to do at the "Jr." site: video, activities and games. No other links to speak of. And as the site explains in the "Grown Ups" page,
On both sites, there's a moderate amount of content, presented according to the audience. It's enough to give kids something to do on rainy days or in the evenings, but not enough to keep them from seeing daylight again. Together, these WB sites provide a pretty kid-friendly site from a very young age up to... whenever they grow out of Batman Beyond.
But when it comes to the shows our kids watch online, safety takes on whole new dimensions. For them, you'll be happy to know there's a place they can safely and easily watch some of their favorite cartoon shows online: KidsWB.com.
KidsWB.com is a fairly sheltered environment, relatively easy to navigate and featuring a number of ways to keep your child busy. WB has its own classic characters as well as children's versions of DC Comics characters like Batman and Superman. The site does genuinely seem to steer kids directly toward the content. As you can see above, the basic options are Video, Games and Downloads, although if you're looking for something specific, there's a very simple search option or they can click directly on their favorite show.
The site has over 200 episodes spread out over all its shows, old and new, with the typical episode clocking in at a bit over 20 minutes. The video player is purposely light on functions: besides being able to play, pause and change the volume, it has a full-screen option (which can only be undone by use of the Escape key, if you want to set it up ahead of time).
Besides video, Kids' WB has, last we checked, 132 Flash-type games of various styles, which should keep any kid busy for a while. And it has a wide variety of downloadable content - wallpaper, a few types of widgets, printable activities and more.
It does feature a few advertisements, of the kind you would see on the TV network: toys and cereal, mainly. In videos, you'll only have to endure two short commercials for each episode. If your child should click on one of the banner advertisements, a banner will appear for 10 seconds warning that they're leaving Kids' WB, and should check with a parent before using any personal information.
The same warning appears if the child should click on the DVD Showcase and then click the little "Buy It Now!" button, which redirects them to the WB Online DVD Store, which in turn requires knowledge of how to add to a cart and order. There's not much room for mischief, but depending on your situation you may want to lightly monitor your kid's activity... or just hide the credit cards. Some extra features at the site require registration, with the assurance that Kids' WB keeps a strict privacy policy, and rarely uses more than a first name and an email address even for things that are not viewed publicly.
For even younger kids (i.e. preschool age), the partner site KidsWBJr.com is even more insulated. Featuring "baby" versions of the Kids' WB characters, Kids' WB Jr. is highly simplified, using simple shapes, big text, bright colors and even voice cues to aid navigation.
There are only a few things to do at the "Jr." site: video, activities and games. No other links to speak of. And as the site explains in the "Grown Ups" page,
Game controls and game play are specifically designed to promote early learning skills such as number, letter, shape, pattern recognition, and hand-eye coordination while keeping your child entertained and safe.There isn't even a registration option, or anything else that might ask your child for personal information. Nor does it have any advertisements. It's just a straightforward little sandbox in which your kids can access some of the simplest content. The only way out of the site, in fact, are some small, plain text links at the very top and bottom of the screen.
On both sites, there's a moderate amount of content, presented according to the audience. It's enough to give kids something to do on rainy days or in the evenings, but not enough to keep them from seeing daylight again. Together, these WB sites provide a pretty kid-friendly site from a very young age up to... whenever they grow out of Batman Beyond.
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