Kids Across The Globe Are Making New Friends On The Pen Pal Kids Club Website - "The Safe Social Network For Kids Around The World™"

CARMEL, Calif., May 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Children from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and the Americas are making new friends online thanks to Pen Pal Kids Club (PPKC), "the safe social network for kids around the world™."  The COPPA-compliant website invites kids to meet new pals from far-off places who share their same interests and curiosity – while learning about each others' cultures and traditions. 

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120531/SF16247LOGO)

On Pen Pal Kids Club, members exchange digital postcards with children around the world that are automatically translated into seven different languages - English, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, French, Italian and German.  Adults help locate and approve the Pen Pals, and kids communicate via an avatar to ensure privacy.

"We're thrilled and delighted that kids across the globe are discovering the joys of learning about how and where others live – and how alike we all are at heart – in a completely secure online environment," said Shelley Aliotti, co-founder of Pen Pal Kids Club. 

A sampling of exchanges between kids on PPKC includes:

"I have been desperate for a friend too. It's OK if you are annoying, most of my neighborhood friends are. What part of Italy do you live in?"

"I am 10 years old and I live in England.  I am originally from Nigeria.  We moved to England because my dad worked for the United Airlines."

"I live in Mexico.  I have 2 dogs, 1 cat, 14 chickens and 4 beehives!  And no, I do not live on a farm, I live in a city and I have 5 siblings."

"What do you want to be when you grow up?  I want to go to Harvard University and become a lawyer.  Eventually I will live in America."

"i like this pen pal thing because it's like e-mail for kids. Sorry if i miss spell. Bye!"

"Thank you for being my new pen pal.  I'm 7.  I see you like classical music.  My favorite composer is Mozart.  Do you have a favorite composer?"

Guaranteed free of advertisements, PPKC is available for $2.99 U.S. per month (first month free), or $29.99 for year subscription (two months free).   Fees to non-profit programs and schools are waived to make this valuable educational resource available to as many kids as possible.

Pen Pal Kids Club places the highest priority on safety.  The advertiser-free online environment offers built-in parental controls, is fully compliant with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), earning the TRUSTe  'seal of safety' (www.truste.com).

Launched in 2011, the Pen Pal Kids Club website was co-founded by John and Shelley Aliotti, based on a concept from Shelley Aliotti, author/illustrator of "My Pen Pal Scrapbook: An Educational Journey Through World Cultures."  Published in 1995, the book's mission has been continued with the website. For more information visit: www.penpalkidsclub.com 

SOURCE Pen Pal Kids Club