For parents, this brings up important concerns around online safety. But don’t panic, there are programs out there that provide protected email for young kids. Most child-friendly email options make use of a restricted list of approved email addresses as determined by parents. Spam and other unwanted messages generally can’t get through. So, you don’t have to worry about strangers or solicitors emailing your child. We’ve gathered the best of the child-friendly email options out there for you to consider. Each service differs slightly in what it provides, so there’s sure to be one that meets your specific needs. Parents also have the option to receive a blind carbon copy (bcc) of all messages to their own account in order to track their child’s activities. Additional features include customizable display screen “skins,” such as music, sports, or slime. For younger children, ZillaMail can read mail out loud, which is a great way to help early readers and those with reading challenges to access email. The site also includes access to a variety of games. Another excellent feature is that you can differentiate between teen and child accounts, giving more freedom (while still providing age-appropriate protection) as kids grow up. Additionally, emails that fail the “safety rules” you set up go to an email queue that you can review. That way, you’ll see who is attempting contact with your child. Plus, you have the opportunity to let through those that merit approval or continue to block them. Kids can create personalized avatars and customize their messages via the site’s fun “drawing board.” This feature includes postcards, stamps, and pens and brushes to create unique images and attachments.
