A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this website.
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Educational Value
a lot
Kids can learn about culturally important current and historical events or have a little fun with articles on quirky topics such as Pi(e) Day, artists performing on a giant hamster wheel, and International Happiness Day. Submitting their own articles based on the Dogonews model could help kids develop writing and journalism skills such as the ability to write snappy headlines, concise and direct language, and an understanding of news from a kid's perspective. Clearer recognition for contributors and answers to challenges tied to a more effective point system might better motivate kids. Still, overall, independent Dogonews consistently brings the world to kids through solid content and plentiful learning opportunities.
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Positive Messages
a lot
Sophisticated topics challenge and enlighten kids with real news, not fluff.
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Violence & Scariness
very little
Generally, story selection avoids violent themes: La Battaglia delle Arance (The Battle of the Oranges)-type stories are common, but editors don't shy away from tricky current events such as the ouster of Ukrainian president Yanukovych.
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.
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Products & Purchases
very little
On-site ads are relevant and understated.
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Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that DOGO News opens an enticing window onto world events and thoughtful learning connections. Kids can browse or search for short, punchy articles full of photos and other goodies, selecting grade level or categories such as Science, Sports, Green, or Amazing. Social-media iDogo accounts screen out those under 13 via self-report but give older kids the ability to comment on stories, select favorites, follow others, and be followed. Parents need not worry about safety, as kids are encouraged to use a nickname and a parent's email if they're under 13.
Videos and Photos
DOGO News
Community Reviews
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- Parents say (2)
- Kids say (5)
age 12+
Based on 2 parent reviews
maggie A. Parent
November 24, 2018
age 15+
Amazing current events resource for kids and teens
I usually don't post reviews, but Dogo News is a great resource. My younger son started using it in elementary school for a current events project in class and now we both read the articles together! all of the topics are curated for kids and they range from fun articles to fascinating scientific discoveries to coverage of serious world issues, all written for kids to understand! there are also great comprehension questions and vocabulary. my son is now in middle school and we still read the articles and both learn from them!
greenink Parent of 11-year-old
December 21, 2017
age 8+
Poorly written, not edited
My son brought home a printout of a DOGO News article, and I was shocked when I read it. It's so poorly written! The article was riddled with errors in grammar and punctuation; the writing seemed like an unedited first draft; and the entire article was poorly constructed. I was so bothered by what I saw that I went to the site and started reading through several articles, and none of the content convinced me that this is a good site for kids. The topics may be of interest, but the articles do not seem to be written by educators or professional writers, and they certainly are not edited. As a writer/editor who spent many years in educational publishing, I'm horrified that this is being used in classrooms. It models terrible writing practices. Look elsewhere!
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See all 2 parent reviews
Privacy Rating Warning
Privacy Rating
Our expert evaluators create our privacy ratings. The ratings are designed to help you understand how apps use your data for commercial purposes.
Pass
Meets our minimum requirements for privacy and security practices.
Warning
Does not meet our recommendations for privacy and security practices.
Fail
Does not have a privacy policy and should not be used.
Privacy Rating
Our expert evaluators create our privacy ratings. The ratings are designed to help you understand how apps use your data for commercial purposes.
Pass
Meets our minimum requirements for privacy and security practices.
Warning
Does not meet our recommendations for privacy and security practices.
Fail
Does not have a privacy policy and should not be used.
- Personal information is not sold or rented to third parties.
- Personal information is not shared for third-party marketing.
- Personalised advertising is not displayed.
- Data are not collected by third-parties for their own purposes.
- User's information is not used to track and target advertisem*nts on other third-party websites or services.
- Unclear whether this product creates and uses data profiles for personalised advertisem*nts.
What’s It About?
DOGONEWS offers thousands of concise kid-friendly news stories with plentiful photos and occasional videos. It's searchable by five grade categories or 12 content categories ranging from the more serious Social Studies to plain old Fun. Every article is accompanied by relevant academic standards, vocabulary definitions, and geography links, and most are followed by comprehension questions and a critical-thinking challenge. Kids with iDogo accounts can leave comments and engage in some social-media basics, creating their own avatars and following other kids. They also can submit their own news contributions through email.
Is It Any Good?
Our review:
Parents say (2):
Kids say (5):
Blog-style Dogonews began churning out challenging and insightful articles in 2007. Article topics demonstrate respect for and understanding of kids' perspectives: We're talking fun, sophisticated, and interesting articles -- including research on the five-second rule or a Rubik's cube champion -- but they also cover more serious, expansive topics. Parents and teachers will really dig the plentiful learning tools, such as one-click vocabulary definitions, age-appropriate comprehension questions, critical-thinking challenges, and relevant academic standards.
It can be hard to discern which reviews and articles are written by kids; bylines that include "kid contributor" or some similar title might help. Although materials are categorized from grade K through 8, younger kids will need an adult to read the material and capitalize on learning resources. The Maps tab houses a world tour of geo-located one-paragraph articles that feels really cool at first but can't be paused -- a definite source of frustration for the majority of readers who will not be able to read all the text before the tour shoves off again for another spot on the planet.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how a particular news story affects them: How would a new mobile shower service for the homeless change daily life for those with homes?
Dogonews offers lots of activity ideas for kids and families. Enjoy a homemade sing-along during Earth Hour, or plan one for next year.
Website Details
- Subjects: : discussion, presenting to others, reading, reading comprehension, storytelling, text analysis, vocabulary, writing, writing clearly, Science: animals, engineering, astronomy, ecosystems and the environment, weather, Social Studies: citizenship, cultural understanding, events, exploration, geography, global awareness, government, historical figures, history, power structures, Hobbies: fashion, pets, sports
- Skills: : applying information, memorization, thinking critically, Creativity: producing new content, Self-Direction: academic development, initiative, personal growth, work to achieve goals, Emotional Development: empathy, perspective taking, Communication: conveying messages effectively, presenting, : embracing differences, honoring the community
- Genre: Civic Engagement
- Topics: Activism, STEM, History, Middle School, Science and Nature
- Pricing structure: Paid, Free
- Last updated: July 22, 2020
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
DOGO News
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Related Topics
- Activism
- STEM
- History
- Middle School
- Science and Nature
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