Selling to kids online – posted by Tori: Ran across something interesting on the web today. There are these sites that let parents set up accounts for their kids so the kids can buy their own stuff online. Anyone seen these?

RE: Selling to kids online – posted by Ana: I have. But I think there's something weird about it.

RE: Selling to kids online – posted by Barbie: Weird in what way?

RE: Selling to kids online – posted by Ana: I don't know. It's like they're taking advantage of kids.

RE: Selling to kids online – posted by Barbie: It's not any different that just going to the mall with allowance money. I think it's kinda cool.

RE: Selling to kids online – posted by Ana: All I know is that I've heard some parents are really against it. There's got to be a good reason for that.

RE: Selling to kids online – posted by Tori: Ana's got a good point. Most sites for kids don't try and sell anything. They just want kids to have fun.

RE: Selling to kids online – posted by Chelsie: Don't want to sound like a broken record, but this sounds like an article topic for Gen Beat.

RE: Selling to kids online – posted by Lara: Maybe we should ask our members to write in and give us their opinions. I'd like to know what they think.

RE: Selling to kids online – posted by Chelsie: Good idea.

Mrs. Tingle – posted by Tori: Rented “Mrs. Tingle” last night. Isn't Katie Holmes on Dawson's Creek?

Re: Mrs. Tingle – posted by Nichelle: Yes, she is! Don't you watch it?

Re: Mrs. Tingle – posted by Tori: Not really. I'm usually on the net when it's on.

Re: Mrs. Tingle – posted by Barbie: I love Dawson's Creek! I even saw Nina Repeta on the street the other day. She's the one who plays Bessie, the older sister.

Re: Mrs. Tingle – posted by Tori: Well, anyway, the movie had some pretty twisted humor. I don't think you'd like it, Barbie.

Re: Mrs. Tingle – posted by Barbie: Like I said before, I had heard it was dark. Glad you warned me!

NICHELLE: Sheesh! We have got to get some games on this site! We've been getting tons of letters asking for them.

TORI: I know! But no worries! I've been working on some ideas already. We're making lots of plans for the year. And we got our new quizzes up last week. Hooray!

CHELSIE: What kind of games are you thinking about?

TORI: Well...some are activities and some are games but I'm not ready for anyone to see them yet. They're still just prototypes. Dummy art, etc. It will take a little while to get things figured out.

LARA: Can I help with some graphics?

TORI: Yes, please. But I'm not quite ready yet. I want to focus on getting everything working right.

LARA: Great! Just let me know.

CHELSIE: Tori, I don't know how comfortable I am not seeing the ideas. Why so secretive?

TORI: I just told you. They're only prototypes, meaning they only sorta-kinda work some of the time. I'm afraid you wouldn't like them at this stage. But I promise as soon as I get them working, you'll be the first to try them out!

CHELSIE: Ok, you know best. In the meantime, I'll just torture myself wondering what you're coming up with. :-)

ANA: Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but my feature story for this month just fell through.

CHELSIE: What happened?

ANA: I was supposed to interview the girls' basketball coach, but she called last night and said she had to reschedule for sometime next month.

CHELSIE: Why next month?

ANA: They have a lot of away games over the next few weeks. And she says she needs to spend what little time she has in town with her kids.

LARA: If it's any help, I have an idea for an alternative article.

ANA: Yes! Please! I'm racking my brain to come up with something on such short notice. My article is due in 3 days!

LARA: Well, I've been thinking a lot about the whole presidential campaign thing. You know, the debates, the ads, etc. As someone who wasn't raised in America, it strikes me that perhaps some people don't realize how important it all is.

ANA: But most of our readers aren't old enough to vote.

LARA: Doesn't matter. They will be some day, and in the meantime, there's a lot to learn about the democratic process.

NICHELLE: You sound like a politician yourself, Lara!

CHELSIE: I agree with Lara. And she's not a politician -- she's a diplomat!

LARA: Thank you, Chelsie. Anyway, my point is, why not encourage our readers to know more about the issues that affect them regardless of whether or not they can vote.

ANA: Well, Lara, you've sold me. I think you've got a great idea. It is important. Chelsie, is it ok with you?

CHELSIE: Go for it! I look forward to reading it!