2008

We're so busy at AllyKatzz... the website, Pulse-Check Research and our new AK Ad Network, that I need to put my blog on hold for a while. But if you need to know something about tweenage girls, please shoot me an email or call me:

denise@allykatzz.com
202-415-1660 (cell)

Here's to a great 2008!

Denise

AllyKatzz on ABC World News Tonight with Charles Gibson!!!

Spears' Pregnancy Prompts Sex Talk in Households

How Will You Talk to Your Kids About Sex and Teen Pregnancy?

AllyKatzz ON NPR!!

All Things Considered with Melissa Block. Girls and Moms Respond to Teen Star's Pregnancy.

AllyKatzz in USA TODAY

Spears' pregnancy is an opportunity for parents: Don't panic, just talk to your kids.

We asked tween girls to tell us what they really want for Sunday Breakfast...then we asked them to rate them. Fruit didn't make the list!

Posted by Denise Restauri

It Wasn't Me!

Do Tween Girls Blame The Dog?

Tween Girls are EVERYWHERE on the Web

We asked AllyKatzz Tween/Young Teen Girls: How Many Websites do YOU have an account on?
7% said only 1 website
25% said 2-3 websites
67% said more than I can count

They're everywhere on the web.... even imdb. Here's what they say:

"well i have a lot I got Tagged,Bebo,Ally Katzz,Mizz Bimbo,My Dollmaker,Meez,Blingee,The N,I-Dressup,I got Yahoo,Hotmail,Trollz,Millsberry,Club Penguin,Imvu and datz bout it."

"i have too many to count i signed up for so many wesites and accounts i just dont know anymore!"

"More then I can count.... well i can count some.....Allykatzz of course, myspace, club penguin, neopets, imeem, icarly"

"cartoondollemporium, icononator, christianforum"

"uhmm like half of the websites out there! there are soo many I use! The ones I use most often though are allykatzz, imdb, myspace, myyearbook, facebook, yahoo (email), pagii, photobucket, care2, blogger, elf, foodnetwork, youtube, girlslife, seventeen, and esnips. woah that's a lot already!"

Posted by Denise Restauri

Tween GIRLS GET their WEB Info From Other Girls

That's not a "missing bar" next to my parents. It is zero. Some girls said their parents tell them about kiddie sites, not cool sites. Other girls said parents are clueless about cool sites on the web. Some girls said parents have this equation: cool = not safe = stay away. And that's why they aren't looking to dear old mom and dad for cool websites... makes sense to me!

Posted by Denise Restauri

How Many E-Mail Accounts does One Girl Need?

AllyKatzz tween and young teen girls told us (check out my post from 9/29) that they don't use email to talk. BUT over 59% have more than 2 email addresses. Disconnect? Yes. But it's not in the research. The disconnect is in what girls sign up for and what they actually use. They love to sign up for things, but then they forget they have them, forget the passwords or go on to the next new shiny object. In this case, they left email behind for the immediate gratification they get from text messaging and IM... or things that are more engaging like facebook.


"verizon, AIM(like, 2), yahoo, and tons of others i never use or can't remember"

"i have one that i use all the time, one that i check occasionally, and one or two that i share with friends. "

"oh i have two. aim and comcast. lol. i have had more than that but don't anymore."

"i made one for a web site, and that one has an attachment on it so my friends can email me, and i have an old one that i didn't want anymore because, it had a lame name that my mom made up."

Posted by Denise Restauri

Mags WIN: Celeb News

AllyKatzz tween girls love being online... but it's not their #1 pick for celeb news:

Posted by Denise Restauri

Tween Girls Have RHYTHM

Tween girls doubt themselves and question whether they should call boys, tell their parents stuff, try out for cheerleading... but one thing they think they've got is RHYTHM.

Tween Girls WAKE-UP

Moms, Cell Phones, Pets and Siblings are all on the "what wakes up tween girls?" list. BUT NUMBER ONE, at the top of their WAKE-UP List: ALARM CLOCK!!!

Starbucks Not In Tween Girls' Wallets

Some tween girls drink coffee at Starbucks. Some drink non-coffee drinks. Some get pastries only. Some don't go to Starbucks. And here's what they say about Starbucks' Gift Cards:
Posted by Denise Restauri

Tweens "TALK"????

AllyKatzz Tween Girls tell us how THEY want to TALK to their friends:

TWEEN GIRLS Trust Friends to??? Part 2...

It was back in the 60's... 8th grade... my friend Debbie wanted her ears pierced. We didn't have piercing places at the mall... it was the doctor's office.. but that meant asking mom and waiting... BUT Debbie wanted them pierced THEN. That's when and how I came up with my much sought after 5-step ear piercing process:
1. Throw russet potato in the freezer
2. Throw needle in boiling water
3. Freeze earlobe with ice cubes
4. Place frozen potato behind ear
5. Everyone takes deep breaths

Things certainly have changed. AllyKatzz Tween Girls Say NO WAY when we asked them if they would let a friend pierce their ears. They have lots of reasons... including the fear of mom, fear of pain, fear of uneven holes and fear of HIV from a needle. So maybe my 5-step process wasn't the best way... but we had a whole lot less fears... and a lot less to be fearful of.

Posted by Denise Restauri

Tween Girls TRUST their Friends to....

How much do tween girls REALLY trust their friends? For starters... AllyKatzz girls say they do NOT Trust them with scissors!
Next week, we'll find out if they trust them with a needle!

Tween Girls Did NOT Watch Kid Nation

Did AllyKatzz tween girls do what they said they were going to do - NOT watch Kid Nation? Girls who did watch it, what do they think? Bad News For Kid Nation...

68% did NOT Watch it last night.
24% Loved It.
6% said OK, not great
1% Hated It


Posted by Denise Restauri

TWEEN GIRLS PICK GOSSIP GIRL

TODAY, We asked the AllyKatzz Girls - tween girls ages 10-15 what they'll be watching TONIGHT. Gossip Girl? Kid Nation?




Posted by Denise Restauri

TWEEN GIRL FACTOIDS

Do you really know what girls are up do? Here are some fun factoids:

Tween Girls Say NO to the Knife. 70% Want to Change Their Looks. 20% Say Plastic Surgery is the Way.

74% of Tween Girls Will NOT Buy New Britney Spears Album

HOT or NOT? Tween Girls Say SOCCER and BASEBALL are NOT, but VOLLEYBALL is HOT!

61% of Tween Girls Have Lost Their Cell Phones at Least Once!

65% of Tween Girls Drink Coffee

62% of Tween Girls Believe in Horoscopes

Girls Forgive Vanessa Hudgens for Nude Pics

Kid Nation Split: 50% Want To Be On Kid Nation. 50% No Way.

70% of Tween Girls Say They ARE Bullied

Tween Girls Fave Way to Buy Music: Online.
Second Fave: Big department stores like Target and Wal-Mart.

42% of Tween Girls KNOW Kids at School Who Drink or Do Drugs

HOT or NOT? Tween Girls say SCI-FI Books are NOT

55% of Tween Girls Do NOT Talk to Their Parents About Drugs

67% of Tween Girls HAVE Forged a Parent’s Signature

84% of Tween Girls Think Dumbing Down Around Boys is Dumb

15% of Tween Girls get their Celeb News Online

28% of Tween Girls CHEAT on Homework or Exams

85% of Tween Girls are SO OVER Lindsay Lohan

79% of Tween Girls LIE to their Parents

Tween Girls Would Rather Be Famous for Talent vs. Determination

82% of Tween Girls SHOP for Clothes While On Vacation

68% of Tween Girls Knowingly BREAK Parent Rules

AND...
Tween Girls Don’t just want to be Rock Stars. They want to be Red Sox Players, Pig Ranchers and Crime Scene Investigators. Thank you CSI!

We have a ton more! Just ask me... email or comment back please. denise@allykatzz.com

Posted by Denise Restauri

Dinner with Dad?

Would AllyKatzz girls ages 10-15 rather go to dinner with dear old dad or friends?
AllyKatzz Pulse-Check Poll results: 67% pick friends. Here's a sampling of what they said:

"going with friends wud b more fun but i wud rather go with mi dad bcuz i hardly see him."

"I love my dad but friends r the way 2 go"

"i would go with my daddy, but if my daddy does not want to do that, then i would go to dinner with my friends" How sad is that?

Based on their responses to this question and what they write in their blogs, the big messages are:
1. Girls love dad, but friends are more fun.
2. For girls who have busy dads, they'll give up fun with friends to spend time with dad.
3. They want dad's time, love and positive attention... and they want to do fun things vs. boring older guy things. Doesn't mean you have to go to the mall (although they would love that!), but ask them what they want to do versus doing what you think they want to do. Like everything with the girls, it's all about communicating with them... they want to be heard.

Posted by Denise Restauri

What CELL?

Has your daughter lost her cell phone? If yes, she's not alone. Over the weekend, we asked the AllyKatzz if they ever lost their cell phones... Above are the poll results. And here's what they said:

“Yesh, more than once! I lost it t a basketball game... and some how it was found in the boys bathroom.. There's many more but none as funny as that !"

“I always loose my cell phone. I've had mine for about two years now. The worst part about whenever I loose my cell is that It's usually not charged up so I can't borrow my mom's phone and hear the ringing! Then after I find my phone, (which I always do) I loose the charger!”

“i have once then i did a second time and actually it went through the washing machine :D”

If you're a parent, love to hear your stories.
If you're an inventor, I'd be thinking... "hmmmmmm"
If you're a marketer with a product that helps them find their lost phones, call me!

Posted by Denise Restauri

Tween Girls Are NOT Buzzing Bout Kid Nation

There's lots of talk about Kid Nation... but it's adults talking about it. The show debuts on September 19... It's September 5 and 58% of the AllyKatzz girls have NOT HEARD about it. Another 15% have heard about it, but aren't interested in watching it. Only 26% have heard about it and want to watch it. We saw similar pre-debut results from the girls when Slumber Party Girls launched... a CBS tween girl show. The day before it launched, the girls were clueless about the show. My advice to CBS... you need a marketing plan to reach tween girls... those same girls who make High School Musical a hit do NOT know about Kid Nation.

Posted by Denise Restauri

Tween Girls -Drugs and Drinking

Back to school… peer pressure… drinking and drugs.

We asked the AllyKatzz girls: Do kids at your school do drugs or drink alcohol?
42% say YES.
20% say NO.
36% don't know.

Here’s what they're talking about:

From a 12 year-old girl from California:
“none of my fiends have done drugs or aything my two of my friends get drunk a lot. its really uncomfortable. one new year they drank a whole bottle of champaigne AND WE ARE ONLY 13!!!!!!!! my mom let me have a couple sips but i would always say no thanks cuz champaigne tastes gross. but yea i have two friends who get drunk a lot like i mean a lot!!!!!”

A 13 year-old girl from Michigan:
“i know some people that drink, and i know a lot of kids at my school that take drugs."

A 13 year-old girl from Delaware:
“I have never tryed drugs but I know people who have done them some were my friends but I am not going to make the mistakes they made trust me.”

It's scary and sad... but it's their reality. More about drugs and drinking tomorrow.

Posted by Denise Restauri

I WANT TO...

Article in New York Times, Sunday, August 26 was about Life Lists. There's an avalanche of life-list books including:
"1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die"
"101 Things To Do Before You Turn 40"
"1,000 Places to See Before You Die"
Visa is running a print campaign built around a checklist called “Things to do while you're alive.”

These lists are about adults.
What about tween/young teen girls? From the Populars to the Plain Janes, these girls are dreaming and wishing.

In school, people ask them, what do you want to be when you grow up? Tween/Young Teen Translation: “What will I do after high school/college to make money?”
But what about their dreams? And what can adults do to help them live their dreams and dream more?

We asked the girls to tell us:
What do you want to do in your life? Things you can do now and things you can do when you're older. Dreams, Wishes, Careers. Anything.

We have over 725 responses and growing.
Tops on their list are some that we could predict: actors, rock stars, fashion designers, vets and meet their favorite celebrities.
AND ...

First girl Red Sox player
Whistle really loud
Fly a plane
Be friends with my mom
Get a guitar and play like Jimi Hendrix
Pig rancher
Learn how to cast spells on people
Go on a deep sea submarine expedition
Travel Around the World -Top Stops: Italy, Spain, France, Africa, Australia, London
Get married and stay at home
Marine biologist
Skydiver
Get my mom to let me eat more Chinese and Thai food
Make a difference in someone’s life (hopefully a good one!)
Marry a man I love and move to California
Be a mom
Run through the halls of my high school and scream at the top of my lungs
Get over my fear of heights
First woman president
Shoot the winning shot in a basketball game and be a WNBA basketball player
Crime scene investigator
Get a super hot and sweet boyfriend
Be beautiful
Be the next Oprah or Ellen
Get up the courage to hold my boyfriend’s hand

WHAT ADULTS CAN DO
Parents and their daughters (and sons) all create their own life lists... And SHARE and keep it alive. Encourage each other. This is a great way to talk about dreams... Girls love to hear about their parents’ dreams... Dreams that came true and dreams that can still come true. Ask each other questions, push each other to reach for the stars... not unrealistic, but dreams you can reach that aren’t easy to touch. Many of the girls say they are doing “back to school resolutions” because September is when they start a new life versus January 1. This is a great way to kick it off.

Posted by Denise Restauri

Kid Nation

You’re a parent and you see this casting call for a new reality TV show:

• Need 40 kids. Girls and boys. Ages 8-15.
• Mission: Bring a ghost town back to life.
• Child’s Pay for performing tasks YOU wouldn’t want to do: $5,000.
• No parents, no teachers. Anywhere.
• In fact, kids can’t even talk to parents on the phone for 40 days.
• But don’t worry about missing out on those 40 days with your child because you’ll get to see how happy or sad your child was – along with millions of other people - because they’ll be filmed in front of reality TV cameras. You’ll get to see them crying and saying, “I want to come home!” You’ll get to see them being humiliated and stressed. Maybe you’ll even get to see them saying, “Mommy, why did you let me do this?”

What are the first things that come to your mind? My first thoughts were questions:

Q: Is this Lord of the Flies meets reality TV? Who would air this?
A: It’s a new CBS reality show called Kid Nation.

Q: What do shows like this say to our tween and young teen girls?
A: I'll ask the AllyKatzz girls when it airs in September. I think their initial reaction based just on what they see on the show (not based on child abuse claims, etc) will be that it's cool because the stars are kids, just like them... AND they'll see the power of kids... the power to change the world. That's what they want to do ... change the world or at least be heard.

Q: Would I let my daughter do this?
A: No Way!

Q: What are these parents thinking?
A: I don't know. I think we should ask them and find out vs. speculating. Be good for morning TV.

Q: Do we need to give our children better ways to be heard, seen and change the world?
A: Yes.

Posted by Denise Restauri

Entertainment VS. Reality

Girls do confuse TV characters with reality? Yes and sometimes to the extreme because these celebs spend so much time in their living rooms that the girls start to think they know them. And it's not always the superficial, "I Love Miley!"... some of these girls go much deeper. Note to self/all of us parents: Get our daughters out of the house and into reality with their REAL friends. These years are tough and it's easier for our daughters to watch other girls go through the drama vs. actually living the drama so they'll hide in front of the TV. The following is straight from a 13-year-old girl's AllyKatzz blog:

"Okay. I've seen ALOT of blogs about Celebs... But I can't help but ask... WHATS THE BIG DEAL?? Okay lets start with Miley Cyrus/Hannah MOntana... Okay.. I was teached that havin split personalities was a bad thing... I think she's THE ONLY celeb who has Split Personality Disorder and GETS famous off of it! And yes it's medical issue. Ask MP's Writing Frnd.. She's writing a book about it on her computer. AND she does ALOT of research! And I don't think she's all that gr8. Her music ISN'T BAD... It's just NOT GOOD... you know?? ANd her show is... well.. wierd.. It's funny. But she's RLLY mean and stuck up! ANd the episode she's SUPER mean to Jackson I wanted to hurt her! I mean she's not a bad actress she's just... augh.. And her dad is GR8.. Y he's on THAT show and not off making RLLY good music lyk he did.. Is BEYOND ME! Okay now.. Ashley Tisdale... She's RLLY arigant.. Well to me.. ANd well.. I don't know... I just don't care for her that much. And now Brenda Song she's pretty good.. Not perfect.. But who is?? She's a RLLY good actress.. And whats the big thing with the JOnas Brothers?? I don't understand.. Now the younger one.. NIck?? I think. Is cute.. But thats only because I lyk dudes with shaggy hair.. Well what do yall think?? Oh and EVERY one is entitled to having their own opinion PLZ don't bash me for havin mine none. And I won't bash urs.. U know?? Okay well gotta go.. PEACE OUT."

Posted by Denise Restauri

Girls ARE Shopping

ALLYKATZZ PULSE-CHECK RESEARCH SAYS YES!!!!


Posted by Denise Restauri

TWEEN Girls BUZZ Marketing

Do tween girls spread the word about their fave products? You can bet the mortgage on it... and when they find something they love or NOT, they want to tell the world ALL about it. These girls are alpha girls... they are peer influencers and other girls are listening to them.

LOVE IT! - this from an alpha girl from New York:
"i don't kno about u, but i decided to no longer use prducts that are tested on animals. then i learned that almost every toothpaste brand tests on animals! what toothpaste do i use now? my mom told me about Tom's of Maine. they make toothpaste, deodorant, mouthwash, soap, floss, and shaving cream in good smelling scents like lavender and apricot--and none of it's tested on animals! they also make all their packaging recylable and their energy at their factories is offset by wind power! neccesities that help animals and the enviorment? i'm there!"

Or NOT! - this from an alpha girl from Wisconsin:
"You've heard of Ipod...haven't you? Of course you have, why do I even bother to ask? You probably know some of the accessories but for sure don't know all of them. The basic ones are Ipod covers, skins, arm bands, "boom boxes" and much more. But how could someone come up with this? It is a toilet paper dispenser and plays your Ipod...these "Ipod Accessories Inventors" I think have gotten a little obsessive and a little crazy...don't cha think?"

Posted by Denise Restauri

Tween Girls Forge?

We asked tween girls if they ever forge their parent's signatures...



What makes tween girls forge our signatures? AllyKatzz girls tell us why and how...

"i did cause my mom said to cause she was 2 busy 2 do it her self."

"yes i have alot cuz im really 4getful n at my old skool u had 2 get every test sined n i would always 4get so i would forge a signature "


"one time i got a dentition and forged my dad's handwriting "

"I admit, I did tat once in 6th grade. I had this horrible gym teacher, and I always forget stuff like that, so she said that if I didn't bring it in the next morning, I'd have to run 2 miles around the gym. Yeah. So, like me, I forgot. I was completely freaking out (I can't run for very long, I have trouble breathing and one time I passed out, but the teacher wouldn't listen.) and my mom wouldn't answer her phone, so my friend and I went down to the bathrooms and I copied my mom's signature perfectly. the teacher didn't suspect a thing. I know it was wrong... but I'm never going to do that again! I was so scared I'd get caught ALL throughout gym. That was like the worst feeling ever."

"Oh my god yes! Too many times! Lol, I know it's not exactly a laughing matter, but it is kinda funny! I even got to go see a concert by this one band. It was fun, but I did feel really guilty afterwards. =("

"only once!!! and it was becuz i had to have it done and i didnt get a chance to ask my mom that day thats the only reason!! only once and id never do it agian! "

Tween Girls Clique?

Are Cliques in school really important to girls? Or do they seem more important than they really are? The AllyKatzz Tween girls tell us what goes on in THEIR schools.

First, we asked the girls, Are Cliques Important In YOUR school?

60% said yes and 40% said no. Then also told us that cliques aren't a boy thing. And then they said...


“The cliques in my school are seriously like the sterotype cliques. They actually try to break people up, try to sabotage other people's social status's, they even have sterotype girls that are amazingly pretty. Then you have the cheerleaders, the snobs, the geeks, the nobodies, and then there are new people and people who are just okay that are quiet and shy i would probably be in that group but i am a cheerleader so i am kinda in both. But i try to never gossip. Our school is like mean girls but without the THREE plastics (there are like 5 or 15 but who's counting?), the cursing, and the parties. (i think the parties)”

“TOTALLY! There's football guys, band gurls, the girls who lyk luv trees, the smart girls, the smart guys, and geeks over all.”

“They are important in mine. I dont want to be in one, but the boys fall for the cliques and most girls want to be friends with the cliques. ”

“yes, and i hate them! most of the cliques are just based on clothes/money. and it stinks! ”

“yes if u came to our school at lunch thats the first thing that u would notice and if u where there for a couple of days no would figure out that no one messes with other peoples cliques and wear they sit !!!!!!”

“yes!!! not many boys at my school have cliques but almost all the girls do!”

“Yes! There are so many cliques at my school. You got the populars, the people that think they are popular but the really are not, the video game people, the sport guys, smart people, not so smart people. The list can go on forever!”

Posted by Denise Restauri

TWEEN GIRLS DUMB DOWN?

AllyKatzz.com Girls SAY:

---

AND what tween girls are SAYING about dumbing down... straight from their AllyKatzz.com blogs:

"Boys are ALREADY dumb, so there's no point in even acting like we're not smart. The dumber we act the dumber they get!!"

From a girl who calls herself 'I will be famous'… "I just be myslef! They boys are always bragging about how smart they are, so I show them up! I am 1 out of 3 girls in my 8th grade math class (I'm in seventh grade!) and it feels good to show them wrong! Everywhere I go people are like "Oh, your blonde, so you most be dumb!" But I'm not! The only reason they think blondes are dumb is bcause look who else is blonde! Lindsey! Paris! Nicole! But I want to be a vet, and that takes four years of college!"

"they make me nervous so yes, i dumb down... but not on purpose!"

"No, I act smart to make them feel dumb, lol. Joking! I don't try and act dumb around anyone."

"usually guys go the dumb blonde pretty girls, but i dont think you should act dumb to get their attention"

"excuse me for my lack of seemly modesty, but im a lot smarter than most kids at my skool, so, i do try 2 dumb down a little, that way they all dont go "grammar snob". i kno, im weird! "

"i dont play dumb. i just be me cuz if they cant accept that, then thats their problem. i know a lot of girls who do play dumb and its obvious and really annoying and i can tell it gets on the boys nerves too."

"sometimes i get tounge tied but thats it! i dont try to act dumb!”

Posted By Denise Restauri

SIGN UP NOW!!! Ypulse Tween Mashup

I didn't want to bury the lead! The Ypulse Tween Mashup will be held September 28 at the Javits Center in New York City in conjunction with Digital Life, a massive consumer electronics show. The Mashup is all about helping media and marketing professionals reach tweens using technology in a multi-platform world. I'm on the Advisory Board and for everyone who knows me, I only do things I really believe in!

Posted By Denise Restauri

Tween Girls Take Responsibility???

We know that some girls cheat on their homework and exams. Now, what about taking responsibility for their actions? The AllyKatzz girls share what’s going on in their hearts and heads:


"I try to put the blame on somebody else, like my dog, or my younger sisters because I don't want to dissapoint my parents."

"If I'm wrong, I apoligize and promise I'll never do it ever again, well at least try not to. If I'm right, I keep my mouth shut."

"If you did something wrong you should take responsibility like a grown up."

"It depends on what I did (:"

"I hate it how some people deny everything and try to blame everything on other people......its called karma chicas"

"I accept all the charges. If you cant do the time, dont do the crime. "

"i do try to not accept responsibility but only if its totally mortifying (embarrassing) but i hardly do anything bad i usually take the blame but its hard"

"not only do i take responsiblility for what i have done but sometimes if i dont want my friends to get into trouble for something minnor i'll take responsibility"

Posted by Denise Restauri

Do Tween Girls Cheat?

Here's What AllyKatzz Tween Girls Say:


" i did it twince on a spelling and vocab test then i felt really bad and i told my mom and she said it's okay as long as i don't do it again and i didn't"

"The ONLY reason I cheat on my homework is because I don't how to do it and my parents are busy or I 4got to do it.. so yea."

"i dont really cheat but sometimes me and my friends will "help" each other on homework. but thats it. i dont really call that cheatin"

"Never! I never do because someone could have all the wrong answers."

"on homework I might slip in a little calculator action, lol,but I never cheat on test/exams! Thats bad! And I only slip in calc. when I check over and when even my parents dont get it."

"Sometimes my mom does my homework when i am super buzy and already know how to do whatever it is"

Posted by Denise Restauri

Tween Girls Speak Up about MySpace

Last week, MySpace deleted 29,000 convicted sex offenders.
This week, tween girls ages 10-15 tell us why and how. First, results from a poll dated Sunday, July 29:


Now, what AllyKatzz tween girls are SAYING about MySpace:

First, the standard work around the 14+ age requirement... straight from a 12-year-old tween girl: "Yeah, you have to get yor parents permission. But if you mke a new acount and put ur birthday as your older then 13 then you dont need to send in ur parents permission"

"I am on myspace. I'm only 11 but i'm super careful and i only talk to people i know."

Even without sex offenders, it's high drama. For many girls, this is a bigger problem than keeping predators away: "I don't want 1 and I don't hav 1! I HATE myspace! It causes SOOO many problems in jr. high and high skool becuz of all the drama!" (age 12)

"You guys, Myspace IS a safe site, it's about the people not the site. As long as you stay on private and only accept and talk to people you know, it's safe. Although, right now there are a lot of problems, so I might delete mine." (age 12)

Lots of girls said "My mom won't let me!" But not many girls said, "My dad won't let me!" Hmmmm. That's another subject for a different blog. The differnt roles that moms and dads have.

And this from a true AllyKatzz fan: "NO way! Too dangerous! Besides I'm sticking with allykatzz!!! I don't like myspace... and I'm almost 13"

What can YOU do to help keep your tween girl safe? Don't put your head in the sand. Talk to your daughter about what she likes or doesn't like about MySpace. What's the attraction? Making new friends? Peer pressure from school friends? How can she get the same results in a safer way? Forbidding her to have a MySpace page won't work. And forget the "put the computer in the living room" theory that is based on a crazy assumption that the only place our tween girls have internet access is where the home computer is. That's crazy.

Posted by Denise Restauri

What's a Tween Girl Dream Vacation?

Do YOU Know?

We asked the AllyKatzz girls, "WHO IS THIS??"