Fortunately, there are healthy, informative and fun websites that are almost equal to hanging out at the mall. The following websites are safe and designed to appeal to the teenage demographic.
Channel One News
ChannelOne.com is by far the most comprehensive and informative site for teens. Not only does it keep them up with the latest world news, Channel One offers homework help, fun quizzes, music videos and movie reviews. Teens can learn about their First Amendment rights or what it is like to be a teenager in other parts of the world. Channel One also covers sports and includes a section where teens can write their own blogs.
http://www.channelone.com/
Fun Sites Shopping Mall
Teenagers love to shop and Fun Sites has it all. Though not brick and mortar, this site has all the great stores that are in your favorite mall. Teens can shop at Amazon, Footlocker and Barnes and Noble. Easy to click links bring you to the store's website. FunSites.com won the Golden Web Awards in 2003-2004. It also offers a site map and directory so finding a shopping destination is a snap.
http://www.funsites.com/sh-shopping-center.html
Cyberteens
Cyberteens is another cool site that celebrates the teen years. Here teenagers can find community, games, news and shopping. There is a link called "creativity" where teens can share their poems, stories, photos and artwork. Even better, the young musician in the family can feature their musical pursuits. The "cool links" section offers a huge variety of options to the curious teen. This site also has surveys and help with jobs and school work.
http://www.cyberteens.com/
Teen Stars Online
For Hollywood gossip and news featuring teen stars, this site has everything. It is recognized as a family friendly site. Teen Stars Online stays up-to-date with not only the Hollywood teen events and news but with music matters as well. They offer a clickable menu of stars, great photos and videos. Teens can interact with other teens and set up their own page, play games and write blogs.
http://www.teenstarsonline.com/
TeensHealth
This great website from Nemours covers anything health related that has to do with teens. It approaches teen health in a non clinical way incorporating physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. The "body" section discusses skin and body art, the "mind" section deals with depression and families among other issues. Diets and recipes are offered as well as discussions about school, jobs, drugs and alcohol and staying safe. TeensHealth features quizzes and a question and answer format and remains a current and comfortable place for teens.
http://kidshealth.org/teen/