Sammamish Mom explores safe web service for young children

By Laura E. Peterson

For The Reporter

With kids almost out of school and more free time on their hands, parents are often worried about their safety on the computer.

Parents everywhere are aware of the risks associated with chat rooms, instant messages, spam e-mail and inappropriate web content.

And if your kids spend any time communicating through e-mail, you know that even an innocent click can open the door to the kind of virus capable of corrupting a family computer and network.

Matter of fact, for kids ages 6 – 13, there are few places on the web where they can “park” safely to play interactive games or send e-mail without risk.

The few options that do exist are fee-based or not tailored to this age range.

Studies released by internet security provider Symantec Corporation state that four out of every five children receive the kind of spam e-mail appropriate only for adults.

Not content with this situation for her two young kids, Sammamish mom Christine Mason took matters into her own hands.

In 2007, she launched Zilladog.com and ZillaMail, a free web portal and parent-controlled e-mail service targeted right at this age group.

According to Mason, ZillaDog.com now boasts more than 5,000 users worldwide and is growing fast.

Because of its attention to safety, Zilladog.com is an approved website by i-Safe, a non-profit organization dedicated to youth internet safety.

The month of June is National Internet Safety Month, so the spotlight right now is on safe internet options for kids.

“I’m thrilled that it’s not just parents who are relieved to have ZillaDog.com and ZillaMail for their kids,” said Mason.

ZillaMail customers include teachers, librarians and organizations around the world, who use it as a classroom or club e-mail service.

“We taught our Girl Scout troop a program about internet and e-mail safety and used ZillaDog.com as our service because it’s safe and it’s free,” said Stephanie Schafner, troop leader from Strongsville, Ohio. “The girls really got into sending and receiving e-mail and had so much fun.”

ZillaMail, ZillaDog.com’s secure and controlled e-mail environment, lets kids communicate with friends and family members while the parent or adult can stay informed and involved in the child’s e-mail activities.

Only an adult can set up a ZillaMail account and establish a child’s e-mail address book, keeping them from sending or receiving e-mail from anyone other than on their “buddy list.”

ZillaMail also has a profanity filter that automatically removes offensive words and phrases from a child’s e-mail.

And adults can choose to be blind-copied on all outgoing e-mails to an e-mail destination of their choice.

“A couple years ago, we were looking for a safe way for our daughter to send and receive e-mail without having to worry about who was contacting her. She likes the fun and colorful interface, and we like the easy setup and administration,” said local dad and ZillaDog.com “monitor” Matt Huston.

Mason, who does not consider herself a “techie” at all and is actually an accountant by trade, understands the needs of her 6–13 year old audience enough to manage and update a site that will capture and keep their attention.

The ZillaDog.com portal features fun themes, games and links to accredited children’s web pages, age-appropriate movie trailers and music options. Also, kids can play games from their favorite websites such as Webkinz, Club Penguin, Neopets, Cartoon Network, Pokémon, and Nickelodeon.

“I had the best testers and designers in the industry help me launch this product,” said Mason, referring to Carle and Billy, her daughter and son.

Parents can be grateful for these young product testers and for Mason, who has launched the kind of safe, free web site and e-mail service that can help us all relax.

For more information about ZillaDog.com, contact CEO Christine Mason at 425.417.2757 or Christine@zilladog.com.

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