Be Internet Awesome

Be Internet Awesome

Website

WISE
89%

WISE Score

Google’s attempt to gamify the 'don't be a jerk online' talk. It’s colorful, free, and actually useful if your kid is about to get their first device.

Screenwise Verdict

Be Internet Awesome is the digital equivalent of a bike safety course. It’s not going to make your kid an expert, but it gives them the helmet and the hand signals they need before they hit the main road.

Instead of the old-school scare tactics that usually make kids roll their eyes, Google uses high-quality animation and simple, catchy mantras. It’s the best 'first step' for a family getting ready for their first smartphone or laptop. It won't replace a parent's active involvement, but it sure makes the initial training a lot more fun.

Age Fit

Perfect for the 'middle-childhood' sweet spot (ages 7–12) where they’re starting to venture into group chats and Roblox but haven’t yet developed the cynical 'I know everything' teenager shell.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
95

It models kindness and digital responsibility without being preachy. The tone is consistently positive, focusing on how to be a 'good' digital citizen rather than just listing things to fear.

Imaginative
68

The Interland game is visually striking with its low-poly aesthetic, but the gameplay itself is fairly linear and quiz-heavy. It’s a creative way to teach, but it’s not an open-ended sandbox.

Safe
100

This is the gold standard for web safety. No ads, no third-party tracking in the kid-facing sections, no unmoderated chat, and no manipulative monetization. It is a closed, educational environment.

Enriching
92

It provides a clear, actionable vocabulary for complex topics like phishing and digital footprints. It moves beyond 'don't talk to strangers' to teach actual technical and social skills.

Parent Info
✓

Why It Might Be Great

  • Interland turns boring privacy lessons into a vibrant, low-poly adventure that kids actually want to finish.
  • It provides a shared vocabulary (like 'Share with Care' and 'Don't Fall for Fake') that makes family conversations much less awkward.
  • The Family Guide is genuinely practical, offering real-world scenarios rather than generic 'internet is scary' warnings.
  • It’s completely free and requires no login, making it a low-friction tool for a rainy afternoon.
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What to Watch For

  • It’s a one-and-done experience. Once a kid finishes the levels in Interland, they probably won't go back for seconds.
  • The game mechanics are fairly simple. Older kids (11+) might find the 'challenges' a bit repetitive or too easy.
  • It focuses on individual behavior. It won't teach your kid about how algorithms work or why apps are designed to be addictive—that part is still on you.

Conversation Starters

  • "Which Interland world was the hardest? Was it the one about passwords or the one about being kind?"
  • "If you saw someone being a 'troll' in a real game like Roblox, which of the 'Be Internet Awesome' rules would you use?"
  • "What’s a secret you think is important to keep secure online, and what’s something that's okay to share with care?"
  • "Have you ever seen a 'fake' message or a weird ad that looked like a scam? How could you tell?"

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