WebProNews

"Mortified" Six Apart CEO Makes Apologies

All right.  I know there are a lot of passionate LiveJournal users out there, and I know censorship is bad.  But in this case, it was also somewhat funny.  LiveJournal claimed it had blocked access to around 500 journals on the basis that they supported pedophilia - turns out, some of them were just discussing Lolita.

Social Networks Safer Than Perceived

Social networking sites are becoming a political lightning rod for politicians and law enforcement. As more children use the sites the belief is that they are at increased risk to be targeted by online predators.

Children's Charity Sets Up in Habbo Hotel

While the focus this week on virtual communities has been on Second Life, with news of developer Electric Sheep’s $7 million tie-up with CBS and others, here’s news of one organization’s plans for another virtual community.

Google Continues Its Efforts In Child Safety

Recently, a conference of experts convened in New York to ask the question “Does The Internet Change Everything?” in regards to how information is presented to children in the ever-evolving digital age. Just how dangerous an environment is the Internet, and what are practical solutions to make it safer for children? First let me say, I don’t have any children. As a 28 year-old single male, the idea of keeping the Internet safe for children isn’t exactly the first thought that pops into my mind whenever I sit down to do my daily web surfing.

Ask Gets Smart For Children

Ask.com has added something new to their Smart Answer collection by making the International Children's Digital Library available as a top-of-page resource for children's literature-related queries.

BBC To Launch Virtual World For Children

The BBC has plans to launch an online virtual world geared toward children. The site will be for 7-12 year olds and allow users to go online and explore content that will feature animation, games, music, and videos.

FTC Slaps Zango On The Wrist

Zango Inc., the Web 2.0 incarnation of bubble-era adware and porno-popup company 180solutions, settled up with the Federal Trade Commission to the tune of $3 million (about 23 cents per install). The FTC charged that Zango used unfair and deceptive methods to download adware to users computers and then block them from removing it.

Online Advertising and Children

Food companies (no clue why others are not using it) are using the internet more and more to deepen children's exposure to marketing messages through online games and commercials, blurring the lines between advertising and entertainment, a new study has found.

Missing Children Gain Awareness on Flickr

Yeah, I've got Flickr on the brain, but this is an important post. MIT Advertising Lab points us to the best use of Flickr yet.

The Essentials of Font Philosophy

I'm prejudiced against certain fonts. Like others, I'm a product of my environment; I was raised to believe that fonts with tails were superior to fonts without. Serifs (the little tails) have personality (even chutzpa!) that draws the reader in, satisfying his need for connectivity and deeper comprehension. No tails, no soul.