Kids want to know about current events, but adult news shows and sites can sometimes be scary, overwhelming, or even boring for a young audience. The websites and apps on this list offer stories of interest to kids and make serious events more digestible. Encourage your nieces and nephew to find out what's happening in the world!

Ages 7+
News-O-Matic

Savvy Aunties and Parents need to know that News-O-Matic is an interactive, paid subscription-based newspaper for kids ages 7-10. Five news stories -- from world political news to celebrity stories -- are posted on the News-O-Matic app's main page each day. Stories are written by experts, and a child psychologist reviews the articles. There are more than 15 different features on this newsy app, including the stories, puzzles, a word game, and audio. The "Read to Me" feature is beneficial for kids who have auditory processing issues or difficulty with verbal reasoning. The map feature displays the distance from a kid's home to the location of a news story (if the user allows the app to access location), along with a silly distance tracker, like the number of pope hats it takes to get from your home to Vatican City for a story on the Catholic Church.

Ages 8+
Newsela

Savvy Aunties and parents need to know that Newsela is a website that offers kids the chance to read about current events at the level they're comfortable with. When kids sign up, they'll need to click on an email-verification link to get started. Once registered, you'll receive a start-up code that family members can use to log in. Kids will need to register separately with their own usernames and passwords, enter the code, and view articles you've selected. Kids can access news stories from several sources, and they can explore those stories at a reading level (measured by Lexile score) that suits their reading ability.

Ages 9+
DOGO News

Dogonews opens an enticing window onto world events and thoughtful learning connections. Kids can browse or search for short, punchy articles full of photos and other goodies, selecting grade level or categories such as Science, Sports, Green, or Amazing. Social-media iDogo accounts screen out those under 13 via self-report but give older kids the ability to comment on stories, select favorites, follow others, and be followed. Savvy Aunties and parents need not worry about safety, as kids are encouraged to use a nickname and a parent's email if they're under 13.

Ages 10+
TweenTribune

Savvy Aunties and parents need to know that the mission of TWEENTRIBUNE is to get young readers to follow the news. There are age-appropriate sections for kids, tweens, and teens. The content runs the gamut from educational to fluffy, with substantial coverage of celebrities and brands. Comments are moderated.

Ages 12+
ScholasticNewsOnline

Savvy Aunties and parents need to know that this online news site used to contain stories mostly written by kids but now posts articles from other Scholastic publications, as well as advice geared toward teachers. There are still links on this site to stories written by kids in the Scholastic Kids Press Corps and some articles -- such as one on overcoming being bullied and a rescued lion -- that will appeal to kids. But the general tone on this site is that it's meant for teachers, especially for teachers to find stories (and order Scholastic books and magazines) to share with their students.

For a full list of the Best News Sources for Kids, and the ones that are best for your nieces and nephews, find the full list with more information at Common Sense Media.




Photo: dolgachov
Published: June 15, 2016