Join the UGC revolution

Another day, another social networking site for tweenies. ITwixie (tag line 'join the revolution') is aimed at girls and is certainly less saccharine than some sites that have been developed. However, if you had any doubt about the demographic profile of its key users, then you just have to look at the videos here. These girls have gardens bigger than our local park. Never mind, at least users can upload user-generated content. At last these web site producers are getting the message that this is what many kids want. Even Disney has now launched 'U Rock 2', a site that users can upload videos in which they lip synch or dance to songs - a little like the site Bedroom TV, that I have blogged about previously, except U Rock 2 is specifically targeted at children. There is no doubt Disney know all about trends and children...so when will we see a Disney version of 'Twitter' that lets kids follow their favourite bands, pop singers and even U Rock 2 stars?

D-I-Y television

On the theme of user-generated content again, it is noticeable that there are now opportunities for the general public in the UK to upload videos which may then appear on television. For example, Sky News have begun to air selected videos made and uploaded by viewers onto Skycast. Satellite and cable viewers are able to get Bedroom TV, a channel that shows lip-synch-to-fave-songs videos made at home (Channel 376 on Sky if you haven''t seen it - there are some hilarious videos uploaded, of course). At the moment only short films are shown, but it is nice to imagine that one day we will be able to watch longer home-made texts on television, such as documentaries made by a particular group about a specific issue of which they have experience and insight. Even better would be a channel devoted to showing films made by children...come on, BBC, what are you waiting for?!