Quora.com
What It Is:
Quora is a forum-style Q&A website where users can post questions to be answered by any other users on the site.
Who is on it?:
Quora is open to anyone with a browser and is used by millions every day.
Would My Child Want It?:
Many kids want to know the answers of their questions without taking time to ask their parents or because their parents aren’t readily available, so they’ll turn to a site like Quora. Also, a Google search for, say, “how to throw a football,” might direct them to Quora.
Where Can It Be Used?:
Quora.com can be accessed by any web browser. There is also a mobile app for smartphones and tablets.
What Should I Watch Out For?:
Not much on this site. It’s a pretty clean and well-monitored site, and users are usually pretty good—though not perfect—about sticking to appropriate language.
What Are The Positives?:
- Quora is a good avenue to find crowd-sourced knowledge.
- Ask any question and get real answers from people with firsthand experience.
- For the most part this website is managed and filtered well.
What Are The Negatives?:
- Quora is an open-source site, so answers are often from a wide variety of people. Depending on your belief system or family structures, your child might get answers you disagree with.
What We Think:
Overall Quora is a well-run site for getting answers to common and technical questions. Just monitor your child’s usage if you choose to let them onto Quora.