Press Release

KidZui, The Internet for Kids, Expands With New Kid-Safe Social Networking Features: Kids Can Befriend Their Favorite Election 2008 Candidates

KidZui Triples Size of Internet for Kids to 1.5 Million Sites, Pictures and Videos; Adds Homework Helper; Earns First-Ever WiredTrust Best Practices Seal
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Posted 12 October 2008 @ 11:01 pm ET

SAN DIEGO, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 10/13/08 -- KidZui, The Internet for Kids(www.kidzui.com), today announced a major expansion incorporating newkid-safe social networking features, a Homework Helper, and that they havereached 1.5 million parent- and teacher-approved websites, games, picturesand videos. Based on its high standards for Internet safety, KidZui hasbeen awarded the first-ever WiredTrust Best Practice seal for a children'ssite.

KidZui's new kid-safe social networking features, designed specifically forkids age 3-12, include a live mini-feed that allows kids to connect andstay in touch with their friends, express their feelings and opinions, andshare cool content that they discover online. All friend requests aresubject to mutual parent approval. Just as adults can support candidates onFacebook, kids using KidZui can now "befriend" Barack Obama, John McCain,Joe Biden and Sarah Palin, view each candidate's profile page, and commenton and share content with their friends. Results on who the kids befriendcan be found at www.kidzui.com/election2008.

"We purposefully designed the new KidZui social features to incorporate thebest aspects of MySpace and Facebook but in a way that works for kids,"said Cliff Boro, chairman and chief executive officer of KidZui. "We'reoffering kids a perfect combination of a place to go for entertainment,education and community; and best of all, it's fun."

Kid-Safe Social Networking

Just as KidZui created the best searching and browsing features for kids,it has taken the best features of social networks and tailored them tokids. When kids download KidZui, they start by creating their own Zui(online avatar) which they can customize by changing its skin color, haircolor and style, eye color and shape, clothing and accessories.

Kids now have a profile page where they can see their events, tags andvisitors. On the new profile page, kids can pick their status and moodfrom a drop down menu that spans a wide range of emotions and activitiesfrom "energetic" to "moody" or "by the pool" to "doing homework." Themini-feed shows who have become friends, who has tagged interesting videos,photos and websites, and also allows children to "ping" each other. Kidsenjoy more self-expression through new customization tools that offer avariety of beautifully crafted backgrounds in categories such as nature,space, fantasy and sports. KidZui also lets kids see what pieces of contentare the most popular within the entire KidZui network. Members can buildtheir own "channels" where they become their own editors, selecting whichvideos, photos and websites to add. Kids can then share channels with theirfriends.

Homework Helper

In addition to tripling the size of the Internet for Kids -- from itsoriginal 500,000 pieces of content to 1.5 million in only six months --KidZui has added Homework Helper for members.

The Homework Helper is the next generation of educational technology.KidZui Members have access to Homework Helper, a teacher-designed systemthat gives kids access to thousands of Web pages, pictures and videosmatched by subject to every grade level from Kindergarten through eighthgrade.

Kids choose their grade level from the menu bar and then click on thesubject category they are studying (Native American history, solar system,fractions, homophones). Each subject brings related topics and content sokids can easily find the best resources on the web.

Homework Helper was developed by the former editor-in-chief of Leapfrog, aleading designer and developer of innovative, technology-based educationalproducts, and a team of eight teachers.

WiredTrust Best Practice Seal

KidZui has been awarded the first-ever WiredTrust Best Practice Seal for achildren's site. The seal is given to organizations that have proven to beamong the most responsible and professional of organizations and shown acommitment to safety and risk management. KidZui has met the strictstandards set by WiredTrust, one of the first consulting companies designedspecifically to help social networks and kids' virtual worlds navigatesafety issues.

"The Internet's youngest users see what their teenage brothers and sistersare doing online and want to do the same," said Dr. Parry Aftab, InternetPrivacy & Security Lawyer, Managing Director of WiredTrust. "KidZui hasfound the right level of social networking features to give kids a sense ofcommunity while keeping them safe. KidZui deserves the first WiredTrustBest Practice Seal for building an Internet for Kids that gives them thebest of the Web, while keeping parents connected with their kids."

Designed for kids age 3-12, KidZui is a free revolutionary web browser andonline service that offers access to the best Internet content for kids --more than 1.5 million kid-friendly Web sites, videos and pictures. Contentin KidZui has been approved by the editorial team of trained educators andparents.

Through KidZui's parental account, parents can change the categories ofcontent available, add and take out specific Web sites and see what theirkids are viewing online. KidZui is a great way for parents to stay in tunewith their kids and engaged in their online activities. Parents alsoreceive a detailed weekly report of their kids' recent searches andinterests.

KidZui is free to all families. KidZui also offers a membership for just$4.95/month or $49.95/year that includes enhanced online reporting forparents, Homework Helper, and fun extras for kids.

Since launching in March 2008, KidZui has experienced accelerated growth.Users have rated two million pieces of content, have shared almost amillion pieces of content, and use KidZui an average of three times perweek.

About KidZui

KidZui, The Internet for Kids, is a revolutionary free browser and onlineservice that lets kids age 3 to 12 enjoy the power and promise of theInternet in a fun, safe and engaging way. KidZui features more than 1.5million Web sites, videos and pictures categorized by topic and reviewedfor age-appropriateness according to strict editorial guidelines. Builtfrom the ground up for kids, KidZui encourages and rewards curiosity andlearning, and keeps parents in touch with their kids' online activities.KidZui is funded by Maveron, Emergence Capital Partners and First RoundCapital. KidZui is available at www.kidzui.com.

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