http://www.thinkquest.org/pls/html/think.library
Over 8,000 websites created by students around the world who have participated in a ThinkQuest Competition, including but not limited to: arts, entertainment, literature, computers, travel, history, science, culture and much more!
http://personalweb.about.com/od/kidsandteens
A list of personal websites created by kids and teens on various topics including friends, family, personal life, photos, hobbies/interests, quotes, pop culture, diaries, etc. (These sites are separated by boys and girls). Check them out to see what you may have in common with other kids your age! This lists contains sites created by children in the US as well as outside of the country.
Example: http://www.agirlsworld.com/ ~ Check out some common topics and issues that many young girls may have in common…
This is an animated web directory built by kids that includes a plethora of links suggested by kids that other young people may enjoy. Some of the topics includes links for shopping, music, movies, books, other entertainment, and a help line.
The Free Child Project
There are several links on this site regarding young people playing an important role in society and helping to change our world! Just to name a few, you can find additional links to resources for youth as advocates, researchers, leaders, board members, reformers, activists, and much more. Learn how you can become involved and make a difference! Not all of this is actually written by youth, but it is definitely a great place to hear positive stories and learn the importance of your voice and being heard.
http://www.freechild.org/YouthMediaOrgs.htm
This site is one of the sections under The Free Child Project, and offers national youth-led media organizations that youth researchers have identified. You will find links to organizations that help youth createtheir own websites, newspapers and books, enabling them to share their ideas, concerns, interests, news and voices with other young people and adults. Check out some of the youth created sites!
Y-Press: Youth News Network
This is another example of a youth created website that can be found through Freechild. This is a very impressive website where you can browse news stories of interest written by teenagers. Check out the Y-Press staff, ranging in age from 14-18.
Another suggestion by Freechild, this site aims to “change the world for girls through media” and includes articles, reviews, and writing pieces created by teenage girls. I recommend the “Diversity and Equality” section under “Feature Articles,” where you can find articles on issues that many young people face. There are also fiction and non-fiction writing samples written by teens, and reviews on books, music and movies. You can leave comments on these pages, as well as hear what others had to say! You can also subscribe to the “Teen Voices” magazine for more exciting articles and teen issues!
A variety of topics/articles addressing various social, economic, cultural, academic and environmental issues in our society, written by young people.
A youth media network that aims to achieve an “authentic youth voice in the mass media.” This site features a wide array of news stories and media highlights.
Magic was developed by UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) and strives to demonstrate the potential of media to make the world a better place for children. You can search the “MAGICbank” database for media project initiatives created by and for youth. To make this search easier and geared more toward your interests, you can narrow your search by age group, type of media, themes and location.
http://www.kidspeakonline.org/index.html
“Where kids speak up for free speech!” This website advocates for youth having a voice, mainly in regards to censorship, and includes a quiz to see how well you know the meaning of censorship. The site was created in response to the efforts to censor Harry Potter books, and includes multiple responses from young people on this issue. You can become a member and leave a comment as well!
This is a website that allows users to create stories for picture books alone or collaboratively with a friend or family member, using illustrations provided by various artists. According to Storybird, "making stories can be social, fun, and easy. Stories are the currency of life, particularly in families. Parents entertain and educate their kids through stories. And kids contextualize and imagine the world through narrative."
This website was created by an 11 year old boy about his large family and personal life. Julian has included pictures of his family, recipes, craft ideas, health and academic info, and a variety of other hings of interest to him, and maybe of interest to you too!