Media

Calling all Parents: Check Out This Cool News Website for Kids!

Calling all Parents: Check Out This Cool News Website for Kids!

Back in 2007, on a late spring day, one Canadian mother woke up in the morning, preparing to embark upon her normal am routine: get ready for work, make the kids some breakfast, check the newspaper headlines—the usual.

Except for one thing. That morning, her four-year-old girls were hanging around the kitchen when they saw the front page of their daily newspaper. That paper was casually laying on the kitchen table of their Toronto home.

Above the fold of the front page was a devastating picture of a young, disheveled, stricken Pakistani girl. She had been the victim of a terrible earthquake that had struck the country. That image haunted her four-year-old twins. “Because it was another suffering child, it really affected them,” their mother, Golnar Khosrowshahi, tells me. Khosrowshahi, who manages a music publishing business, was born in Iran, and later educated in England and the U.S.

Calling all Parents: Check Out This Cool News Website for Kids!

Her kids were not ready to face such a tragic story, which was foisted on them by the newspaper. “Suddenly, I had to answer all these questions for them,” Khosrowshahi tells me. Questions like: what is an earthquake? What happens when the earthquake kills your parents? What happens when your house is destroyed? Will earthquakes happen here?

Since that day, Khosrowshahi became preoccupied with a question of her own: how do you package news in a kid-friendly way? That question, eventually, led her to create a news website, aimed at 7 to 13 year olds, called GoGoNews.com, which officially launched on Monday.

“We created GoGoNews to inform kids about world events in a safe manner, feeding their young, inquisitive minds with real news, while also protecting them from content that is too sophisticated or beyond their comprehension,” Khosrowshahi says.

Consider the example of Osama bin Laden’s death.

Here is how GoGoNews covered it in an article titled, “Who Is Osama bin Laden?”:

Osama bin Mohammad bin Awad bin Ladin was the founder of an organization called al-Qaeda. This organization is known as being the group responsible for the September 11, 2001 attacks. The most significant of the attacks on 9/11 was when two airplanes were flown into the World Trade Center in New York City otherwise known as the twin towers. He has been on the American FBI’s list of the Ten Most Wanted Fugitives for many years and has successfully escaped capture for the past ten years. It is believed that during this time, he has been hiding throughout Afghanistan and most recently, Pakistan. Yesterday, a team of United States Navy SEALs confirmed that they had killed bin Laden in the city of Abbottabad, Pakistan. This day marks a victory for the United States, President Obama and the war on terrorism.

Khosrowshahi explains the reasoning behind the brevity of the news item: “The message of the entire story is: this is a bad guy so the government killed him.”

And that’s all kids need to know. She adds, for instance, that GoGoNews did not cover related aspects of the story—like al Qaeda’s plans for further terror attacks, bin Laden’s multiple wives, or the issue of the dead bin Laden picture—because it would be too much for children to digest.

Khosrowshahi also explains that her news site will not cover the multiple airplane terror scares. Her philosophy for kid-friendly news is that it’s on a “need to know basis.” And kids don’t need to know about terror scares that turned out to be false alarms. “It will only scare them the next time they take a family trip on a plane.”

Instead, Khosrowshahi’s website creates a wholesome and informative environment–aimed completely at children. The website’s categories, for instance, are a little different than what you’d see on CNN.com or the home page of ABC:

Calling all Parents: Check Out This Cool News Website for Kids!The “Fun” heading might be especially interesting to your children–it’s full of jokes and brainteasers. You can check out the different types of news stories by category here. Some standout stories include, “How Shakespeare Changed Everything!,“ ”The $25 Computer!”, and “Young Footballer!”

Not only are the news categories different, but so is the website layout. You won’t do too much scrolling on this website because, Khosrowshahi tells me, kids don’t do a lot of scrolling. You also won’t see banner-style adds: “Children cannot distinguish between banner ads and regular content.”

Ultimately, Khosrowshahi hopes that the website will gain more and more readers, be used as an educational tool in classrooms, and even begin publishing articles by some of its young readers. “There’s a lot of growth potential here. We’re really excited.”

For more on GoGoNews, check out the website, and read the below release:

GoGoNews, the online news resource for children, today launched GoGoNews.com, an interactive web site featuring daily news for school children ages seven to 13 years old.  GoGoNews.com features popular headlines from mainstream media with filtered content, informing children of global events while simultaneously protecting them from images and story details appropriate for more mature audiences. In addition to breaking news, GoGoNews covers Science, Art, Government, Politics and Geography, offering fun facts and stories that capture children’s attention and encourage exploration of new subjects.

Designed to provide parents and teachers with interesting topics to engage children in conversation and expand their knowledge, GoGoNews provides a safe means for addressing the harsh realities of today’s world. The site is organized by “Headlines,” covering breaking news; “Cool & Fun,” containing items like brain teasers, puzzles and jokes; “Picks,” with editor’s and children’s recommendations on top books, toys, and gift ideas; “Planet,” featuring interesting facts about space and the environment; “Talk,” providing a forum for kids and parents to post feedback, comments and ideas; and “Teach,” guiding parents and educators with suggestions for how to approach difficult news topics and innovative ways to introduce new lessons. Each story is packed with facts, but concise enough to keep young readers engaged and hungry for the next article, which can be readily accessed with the site’s simple and intuitive navigation.

“We created GoGoNews to inform kids about world events in a safe manner, feeding their young, inquisitive minds with real news, while also protecting them from content that is too sophisticated or beyond their comprehension,” said Golnar Khosrowshahi, founder and editor in chief of GoGoNews. “As a parent, I want my children to grow up and be educated in a global context; to think of countries near and far as their neighbors who do things just a little differently. I believe that the next generation of leaders will be those who have grown up connected to the world around them intellectually, academically and socially. With GoGoNews, we are creating the opportunity for children to improve their literacy, gain a new vocabulary and learn about different people, countries, and cultures in a fun and entertaining format.”

Khosrowshahi started GoGoNews for her then five-year-old twin daughters in 2007 after they saw a newspaper cover with a devastating photograph of a little girl after an earthquake in Pakistan.  Rather than ignoring her daughters’ ensuing questions and finding them an alternative distraction, Khosrowshahi explained earthquakes and the types of damage they can cause. The interest, emotions and discussion that followed inspired Khosrowshahi to create a daily online newsletter for her girls.  The result was a compilation of culled headlines and relevant data that encouraged conversation about what they read, learned and felt about the news. The newsletter quickly gained a following among family, friends and elementary schools and led to the creation of GoGoNews.com, which, unlike other similarly branded news sources geared for children, is updated 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Today, GoGoNews is compiled by an editorial team, with consultation and input from an advisory board that includes teachers, child psychologists, curriculum specialists and various educators who guide classroom discussion and materials and advise on the treatment of stories about natural disaster.

GoGoNews is currently being syndicated to elementary schools throughout the United States and Canada via the newsletter, GoGo On The Go. To learn more about GoGoNews, and how to best share global news with young people, visit www.gogonews.com.

About GoGo News

GoGoNews was started in 2007 by Golnar Khosrowshahi, who had a desire to inform her twin daughters, and all children, of the world around them in an educational and non-threatening way. Since its inception, GoGoNews has provided children with general knowledge as well as a consciousness and awareness of the world, regardless of geography or culture. Khosrowshahi attributes her Iranian-born heritage, United States education with advanced degrees, child-rearing in North America, entrepreneur experience, and international philanthropic efforts to her interest and acceptance of different communities, cultures and customs and aims to encourage young people to share this open mindedness through GoGoNews. GoGoNews provides parents and educators with subject matter to start a conversation with children and a safe means by which to deal with the harsh realities of the world in which we live. Most importantly, GoGoNews is fun!

Comments (73)

  • Nathan
    Posted on May 12, 2011 at 9:03pm

    GoGoNews wishes Karl Marx a happy birthday: http://www.gogonews.com/posts-Happy+Birthday+Karl!-8350.html

    Report Post »  
    • Hephzibah
      Posted on May 12, 2011 at 10:07pm

      Yep, Happy Birthday Karl is a dead giveaway. More leftist commie pinko brainwashing. Next thing we know, they‘ll be selling CD’s of commie lullaby tunes and veggie flavored pacifiers.

      Report Post » Hephzibah  
  • MOLLYPITCHER
    Posted on May 12, 2011 at 8:40pm

    I think that I will just teach them to think for themselves, and question every thing. And to always go with what they believe to be true. I don’t need a kids news website for that. It makes me kind of wary. You can’t trust anything like this any more.

    Report Post »  
  • StopObamaNow
    Posted on May 12, 2011 at 8:00pm

    And I was thinking that this might be good for my child. Karl Marx??? what in blue blazes? No I don’t think my son will be logging on to this new site.

    Report Post »  
  • independentvoteril
    Posted on May 12, 2011 at 7:46pm

    Hey IF they just print the truth MAYBE she can start one for ADULTS who are brainwashed by MSM.. but than if they read with their kids MAYBE IF they still have a living brain cell functioning it will make them realize that MSM is not giving them any more information than this lady is giving kids..

    Report Post » independentvoteril  
  • MightyBee27
    Posted on May 12, 2011 at 7:19pm

    they celebrate Spain’s “greenie weines” . Light pollution in Hong kong. Cuba relations. I’m out.

    Report Post »  
  • dennybug
    Posted on May 12, 2011 at 7:14pm

    @ Butterbean74
    I’m right there with you.. My son reads mostly what I read. He’s still young so I try and keep an eye out on all he reads..He has the Blaze as his home page which I read along with him. When anything is in quetion I’m teaching how to look deeper into the matter at hand.

    Report Post » dennybug  
  • stang289
    Posted on May 12, 2011 at 7:04pm

    It cant be good if they celebrate Karl Marx http://www.gogonews.com/posts-Happy+Birthday+Karl%21-8350.html

    Report Post » stang289  
  • Downrange27
    Posted on May 12, 2011 at 6:55pm

    I vote thumbs down… News for children should be easier to comprehend, but not shelter them. Seeing the bodies of U.S. Army Rangers dragged through the streets of Somalia is an image I’ll never forget. I taught me the ultimate sacrifice of “humanitarian intervention” and helped to shape me libertarian views. It didn’t scare me away from the military either since I later enlisted in the Army.

    Report Post »  
  • MightyBee27
    Posted on May 12, 2011 at 6:49pm

    As long as they post news, not opinions, I’ll let my kids read when they have questions. I try and tell them about what I know and sometimes they go “no way..” Here read it! I would not use it as a bedtime story

    Report Post »  
    • wtd
      Posted on May 12, 2011 at 11:23pm

      Not identifying crucial facts about 9/11 when discussing Osama bin Laden or al qaeda is exactly why so many young people were at a loss for undertanding who OBL was on May 1st, 2011, when his demise was announced. Providing details on a “need to know” basis — really? Who died and made that project king of all information? Omission of facts is as bad as opinion. I find it shocking that so many @ theBlaze regard this idea in a positive light.

      Report Post »  
  • Liberal_Atheist_Critical_Thinker
    Posted on May 12, 2011 at 6:41pm

    I think that news site would be an excellent starting point for right wingers to get their news before moving on to more challenging news sites. Maybe the Blaze can get more stories from GoGo too, so the stories for you guys aren’t too challenging to interpret.

    Report Post » Liberal_Atheist_Critical_Thinker  
  • Butterbean74
    Posted on May 12, 2011 at 6:28pm

    Watch out for the old “Bait And Switch”, and find out if the Spooky Dude has his finger prints on this.

    Report Post »  
  • Home Schooling Dad
    Posted on May 12, 2011 at 6:16pm

    We need to be more diligent then ever, in order to be sure we know what we are feeding into our childrens minds. Many stories on this site are very good; however, several give me pause. I am all for taking care of the environment and own a business that is environmentally friendly, but I am not for the political propaganda of carbon footprint / global warming. I just read two stories on this site that were pushing this propaganda. Just the fact that this sites second link is “Planet” raised my eyebrow.

    Report Post »  
  • 2H9
    Posted on May 12, 2011 at 6:12pm

    Gang! Why did most of you not go and check this site out? It is lovely! Yep, a lovely vector for more leftist agit-prop to be poured into the heads of America’s children. And most of you never bothered to check and see what it was. Sweet Bleeding Jeebus.

    Report Post » 2H9  
  • LadyIzShy
    Posted on May 12, 2011 at 5:59pm

    lets hope they do well and are fair and balanced

    Report Post » LadyIzShy  
    • MsMonsoon
      Posted on May 12, 2011 at 6:52pm

      Get a clue. Read Eat-More-Bacon above. Fair and balanced… not so much.

      Report Post » MsMonsoon  
  • vtxphantom
    Posted on May 12, 2011 at 5:56pm

    The first clue should hit you. ABC is a sponsor. Go to the web site. Click on the links. One link is about wind power and a community that get its power from it. Another link will take you to a histor lesson of when Carter was president and went to Cuba. Get them when they are young and we can shape their fuzzy little minds. GoGo News should be listed as porn

    Report Post »  
  • eat-more-bacon-USA
    Posted on May 12, 2011 at 5:30pm

    From the GoGoNews Website –
    http://www.gogonews.com/posts-Happy+Birthday+Karl%21-8350.html

    Happy Birthday Karl!
    May 5, 2011 – Today marks the 192nd birthday of Karl Marx. Born in Germany, Marx was politically active from a young age. After attending the University of Berlin, Marx moved to Paris where he met his longtime friend and colleague Friedrich Engels. Marx is best known for his political theory called Marxism. He wrote many books in his lifetime, the most notable being The Communist Manifesto in 1848.

    Report Post » eat-more-bacon-USA  
    • commonsenseguy
      Posted on May 12, 2011 at 5:38pm

      @eat- more-bacon-usa, well ain’t that just fun to know, what a cool guy, the communist manifesto wow sounds like a great game. lets put a little more sugar on the communist cake. as i said before if they tell the truth i have no problem with it, but changing history or distorting it is a lie no matter how you wrap it up. thank e-m-b-usa.

      Report Post »  
  • commonsenseguy
    Posted on May 12, 2011 at 5:26pm

    she mad a mistake on purpose or by accident.9-11 01 not 9-11-2011. if you can’t get the message right then way do it, she also left out how many americans were killed, nor did she mention how many usama killed or who he killed, i am not saying this is not a bad idea, but if you are going to educate ,then tell the truth and the whole truth,nothing less.our kids should know history,even the bad parts,not just little bits that make them feel good, this is how we got here today, erasing history.

    Report Post »  
    • UpstateNYConservative
      Posted on May 12, 2011 at 5:37pm

      Ah, but, Patriot! Kids need only the basics to satisfy them, then they move on to other things. Too bad we can’t get rid of liberals as easily as children can go forward. If a kid asks, “Why is the sky blue?”, I would answer it’s because of the air is able to make colors because of the light of the sun. Then the kid will go back to his or her toys.

      BTW–still raining down there? Hope you Texans get soaked in the best way possible.

      Report Post » UpstateNYConservative  
    • commonsenseguy
      Posted on May 12, 2011 at 5:42pm

      @upstatenyconservative, just quit,about an hour ago, we are grateful we received about an inch since last night, it will help, but we are around 16 inches behind for the year,so we could use a lot more, but we will rejoice for what we got.

      Report Post »  
    • commonsenseguy
      Posted on May 12, 2011 at 5:44pm

      @upstatenyconservative, meant to say .it is so try down here the the fish have ticks on them.

      Report Post »  
    • UpstateNYConservative
      Posted on May 12, 2011 at 5:55pm

      @commonsenseguy
      Posted on May 12, 2011 at 5:42pm

      An inch now, another more tomorrow–a deluge would be destructive.

      All is well in hand, I would venture.

      For fun and games, for the sh*ts-and-giggles–to make you smile a bit, Patriot–imagine if God were a liberal Democrat….

      Report Post » UpstateNYConservative  
    • UpstateNYConservative
      Posted on May 12, 2011 at 6:11pm

      @commonsenseguy

      If it weren’t a sin, I could easily rewrite the Ten Commandments according to the modern liberal way.

      Report Post » UpstateNYConservative  
  • racistparanoidrobotbirther
    Posted on May 12, 2011 at 5:16pm

    2011 attacks huh? Know something we don’t?

    Report Post »  
  • UpstateNYConservative
    Posted on May 12, 2011 at 5:10pm

    In grammar school, we used to subscribe to Weekly Reader, a little newspaper with the same aim toward the same age group. The big thing back then was the UN, and what it might be doing through its agencies like UNICEF. We learned about Africa’s growing achievements, for those countries were just shaking off the yoke of European colonialism and becoming free and independent states.

    We learned about little things, like the favorite drink in Argentina called mate. I finally got to taste it some years ago, after decades of hoping to somehow find it. Yum! And my friend, an Italian who grew up in Argentina, taught me how to drink it the traditional way.

    This little site looks awesome. I wish it much success.

    Report Post » UpstateNYConservative  
  • TheAnswerIs42
    Posted on May 12, 2011 at 5:09pm

    It might be nice if they could at least get the date of the 9/11 attacks right…

    Anyone else wonder how OBL is responsible for an attack that (according to their story) hasn’t even happened yet?

    Report Post » TheAnswerIs42  
  • jhaydeng
    Posted on May 12, 2011 at 5:07pm

    My kids are looking forward to playing outside and running around! If my kids ask a question about something that startles them I explain it truthfully! This is how you raise kids to handle real life situations! Not candy coated misrepresentations!

    Report Post »  
  • eat-more-bacon-USA
    Posted on May 12, 2011 at 5:06pm

    Uh, I don’t think so – sounds very liberal.

    Report Post » eat-more-bacon-USA  
  • AmericanLass
    Posted on May 12, 2011 at 5:05pm

    Great way to keep our kids informed in a way they won’t get elsewhere. Our kids perish for lack of knowledge.

    Report Post » AmericanLass  
  • Eric_The_Red_State
    Posted on May 12, 2011 at 4:59pm

    I like it!
    Mainstream media, union teachers and the government have reduced the American public to a little more than 3rd grade attantion span – so it’s perfect to start educating the masses (from a positive aspect)

    Report Post » Eric_The_Red_State  
    • MsMonsoon
      Posted on May 12, 2011 at 5:26pm

      Isn’t this more of what we already have? Most news sources dumbed down and abreviated for a grade school mentality. Smooth over the edges so nobody gets worried. Don’t cause the sheeple any anxiety.

      Report Post » MsMonsoon  
  • TraceyM
    Posted on May 12, 2011 at 4:59pm

    I think it is a great idea as long as the liberal news media doesn’t get control over it.

    Report Post » TraceyM  
    • IMPEACHBHO
      Posted on May 12, 2011 at 5:04pm

      Victory for Obama? He couldn’t even make up his mind what to do – the CIA made the decision.

      Report Post » IMPEACHBHO  
    • the_zazzy
      Posted on May 12, 2011 at 5:05pm

      I will certainly sign my kids up for it, with the caveat that if there appears any signs of brain-washing, they’re outta there!

      Report Post » the_zazzy  
    • Crowley
      Posted on May 12, 2011 at 5:06pm

      I think its a great idea if they can do it right.

      oh, and a typo there; “September 11, 2011″ attacks

      Report Post » Crowley  
    • Protect us and build roads
      Posted on May 12, 2011 at 5:07pm

      They will.

      Report Post »  
    • the_zazzy
      Posted on May 12, 2011 at 5:07pm

      They may want to check the facts better, though. 9/11 did not happen on September 11, 2011! Take a look at the bin Laden screen capture on the article above.

      Report Post » the_zazzy  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on May 12, 2011 at 5:16pm

      Great way to have news reach the kids; glad the Blaze has posted this article.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • drphil69
      Posted on May 12, 2011 at 5:21pm

      Why is it when I see this the first thing I think is “indoctrination…”

      Hope they keep to the truth.

      Report Post »  
    • Chicago Ray
      Posted on May 12, 2011 at 5:21pm

      “I think it is a great idea as long as the liberal news media doesn’t get control over it.”

      Yup…that’ll be the end of that alright : ( I‘m sure they’re already attacking :(..

      Report Post » One Man Progressive Wrecking Crew  
    • Sinista MACE
      Posted on May 12, 2011 at 5:26pm

      What the hell do you mean this is a good idea?

      OUR CHILDREN SHOULDN’T BE INDOCTRINATED WITH GOVERNMENT PROPAGANDA!

      9-11 WAS AN INSIDE JOB! OSAMA BIN LADEN IS CIA ASSET “TIM OSMAN”!

      OUR GOVERNMENT CREATED AL QAEDA AND TRAINED AND ARMED OSAMA BIN LADEN, DID THEY TEACH THE KIDS THAT?

      WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN ““The message of the entire story is: this is a bad guy so the government killed him.“ ” That’s all they need to know.”?

      MY KIDS ARE GONNA KNOW THE TRUTH!

      LYING SACK OF GARBAGE!

      Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
    • godlovinmom
      Posted on May 12, 2011 at 5:31pm

      How about this concept…you tell your children the news of the day and NOT depend on anyone else…

      Report Post » godlovinmom  
    • Eric_The_Red_State
      Posted on May 12, 2011 at 5:34pm

      Does George Soros own any part of it?
      Does anyone George Soros has ever come within 50 feet own any part of it?

      I am BOYCOTTING anyone that advertises with any George Soros funded group.
      BOYCOTT GE
      BOYCOTT BLACKBERRY
      BOYCOTT PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE
      BOYCOTT PRICEGRABBER.COM
      BOYCOTT POWERWALL
      BOYCOTT JEEP
      BOYCOTT CAPITAL ONE

      Report Post » Eric_The_Red_State  
    • VanGrungy
      Posted on May 12, 2011 at 5:53pm

      Golnar Khosrowshahi is a trustee of the Enyclopaedia Iranica Foundation at the Columbia University Centre for Iranian Studies in New York.

      http://www.sickkidsfoundation.com/abtBoard/default.asp

      keep digging… be wary of this site..

      Report Post » VanGrungy  
    • A Doctors Labor Is Not My Right
      Posted on May 12, 2011 at 6:14pm

      Soros bribes GoGoNews to run Marxist propaganda in 3…2…1…

      Report Post »  
    • Jediusetheforce
      Posted on May 12, 2011 at 6:47pm

      What a joke??? Check it out for yourself.

      Report Post »  
    • TraceyM
      Posted on May 12, 2011 at 7:14pm

      Sinista MACE,I said it was a good idea because I think it could be a good tool for teachers and parents, but I fear that the liberals will get their influence into it and it will be more of the same from the left. The stories will not be the truth and we see in the main stream media today.

      Report Post » TraceyM  
    • RetiredMarine
      Posted on May 12, 2011 at 7:42pm

      I just read through a bunch of the articles and this website is not something that I would let my daughter go to and read. There are some good things about the site, but it seems to have aspects to it that are spun in a manner that I do not approve of for my daughter. “Happy Birthday Karl!
      May 5, 2011 – Today marks the 192nd birthday of Karl Marx. Born in Germany, Marx was politically active from a young age. After attending the University of Berlin, Marx moved to Paris where he met his longtime friend and colleague Friedrich Engels. Marx is best known for his political theory called Marxism. He wrote many books in his lifetime, the most notable being The Communist Manifesto in 1848.” This is not who Karl Marx was! What a joke and that is just one of those articles I found to be disturbing.

      Report Post »  
    • Libertyluvnmomma
      Posted on May 13, 2011 at 11:41am

      Interesting.
      In the good old days people took care of their parents, birthed at home, and buried their dead. With all that real life experience removed, We need artificial means to communicate with our children. Just like we need Facebook to communicate with our peers.
      Wonder what the next generation will be like especially if there is an expert shortage.

      Report Post » Libertyluvnmomma  
    • democratgirl
      Posted on May 13, 2011 at 3:46pm

      The brain washing will EVENTUALLY come, as our Obama administration actively watches ALL websites that tell stories about the president in any and all ways (look at the other news networks). They can, and they WILL eventually tell this lady what and how to write articles. THAT IS WHAT OBAMA DOES. THAT IS WHAT LEFTIST LIBERALS DO. I hope this lady sticks to her own personal ideas and aspirations and doesn’t allow any outside influence. BUT, it will take a very strong person to say NO to the federal government and I am afraid there are very few persons, including our illustrious politicians, that will not be able to say NO. If they did say no, the government has ways to destroy your business, your lifeline, and/or YOU. PLEASE KEEP AN EYE ON WHAT YOUR KIDS ARE READING AND LEARNING. Stay involved with them DAILY. Massage their ideas and their character and you will never be sorry!!! TRUTH HAS NO AGENDA.

      Report Post » ChildOfTheKing  

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