Kids these days need to have the ability to use technology but with all of the evils on the Internet, email something as simple as email seems like an impossibility. I would like my own children to have a leg-up on technology as they navigate the educational system to eventually enter the work force, so this is personal challenge. After much deliberation and development, Maelstrom is pleased to announce a child-safe email system that is free of advertising, spam, and viruses. We call it KidLetter.
Children can only send email to a specific group you designate (as the parent). Moreover, children can only receive emails from a similarly moderated list.
This isn't a child simplified email system, but a full featured application with calenders, task lists, contacts and so on. Everything you would expect from a normal email system. I decided it would be counter productive to my ultimate goal here to make it simple. There are features a child won't use initially, but when they want to learn time management, all of the tools are ready and waiting. In fact, this is the same system that our business customers use today but with a few minor modifications. Of course you will need to work with your child on using the system so they understand "reply to all", "forward" and the other common features email systems offer. Currently my 9yo daughter has no issues using the system and is able to communicate to relatives and friends. Sure, she isn't using all of the features yet, but when she would like to, they are ready. For now, I suggest people use the free outlook express email client that comes with Windows and train them in that. Once they are ready, you can graduate them to using that as well as the web mail client.
What makes this system safe for children? Simply put, a ton of rules keep out the bad email but will allow the approved ones to reach the child. For example: Children can only send email to a specific group you designate (as the parent). Moreover, children can only receive emails from a similarly moderated list. This means that the possibility of receiving spam is zero, unless of course someone on your trusted list sends it to them, in which case you can beat them with reeds, or magnetize them and throw them into traffic.
So, how do you get it and how much does it cost? KidLetter is 100% free, but only available to the children of Maelstrom Solution's customers or friends. If you fall into this group. you can contact us to get setup. Each child will need to think of an email alias, as using their real name isn't an option. For example, SparklePony or some other invention from a child's mind would be ideal. At this time we are perfecting the parental interface so you can manage multiple children from a single account as well as alter the list of safe recipients and targets. If you would like this service and are not a Maelstrom Solutions customer, you should buy something or consider bribing one of us :-)
Scott E. Detweiler - CEO, Maelstrom Solutions