Website Review: DoubleDutchMag.com
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What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that while
Double Dutch magazine's content isn't necessarily racy,
the publication's tween/teen-friendly writing includes words
some parents may be uncomfortable with (one article about
loving your figure mentions comments the author received like
"damn, you got a big 'ole butt"). Another article in the
premiere issue -- "The Top 10 Ways to Get a Disease or Get
Pregnant" -- may be too mature for younger readers. The site
also links to the editor's
MySpace
page. Although none of the friends listed on the editor's page
have inappropriate MySpace pages, access to the mature social
networking site exposes users to other profiles that may. A
one-year, five-issue digital edition subscription can be
ordered on the site for $8.
Families can talk about what information in these types of publications is worth reading. Why do tween and teen magazines focus on a lot of trivial stuff? Would serious magazines aimed at the same age group sell as well? Families can also discuss why it might not be a good idea to contact a stranger on MySpace, even if you clicked over to that page from a legitimate site. Why would it be dangerous to reveal personal information like your email address or your MySpace page address to a stranger?
Common Sense Media Review
Self-proclaimed urban digital magazine
Double Dutch (which you can subscribe to from
DOUBLEDUTCHMAG.COM) aims to make teen girls feel confident,
adventurous, and inspired. With articles about school issues,
relationships, sports, beauty, fashion, and celebs, the 32-page
publication -- whose first issue can be viewed online for free
using a page-flipping program that mimics a print magazine --
features a conversational, teen-friendly tone in articles about
study "skillz" and avoiding peer pressure.
Mostly, DoubleDutchMag.com hits its mark. Articles are upbeat, fun, and touch on the wide range of topics that are important to tween and teen girls, from friend jealousy to lip gloss flavors. The articles are a little light on original journalism -- the Fantasia cover story seems pieced together from already-published interviews and another celeb section has no quotes -- but experts wrote some pieces, including one offering monetary advice from a financial advisor. And the magazine gets points for featuring personal essays and women of several different ethnicities in its celebrity sections and fashion shoot.
Other fun places for girls to hangout online: DayZLoop.com and Studio2B.org.
Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information to help parents make media and entertainment choices for their families.
