4Kids is a newspaper and web publication that features articles about credible, safe and engaging Web sites for youth. 4Kids recently celebrated its 500th issue and has been in publication for ten years. ALTEC staff work with Universal Press Syndicate to publish weekly issues in about 75 newspapers with a circulation total of about 3 million.

The first 4Kids issue was printed in 1996.

Over 500 issues have been published of 4Kids.

Almost 75 newspapers feature 4Kids.

Over 3 million people read 4Kids.

Safe Surf with Earl on 4Kids

4Kids publications include multiple components in each issue:

1) Speak Out - open ended question that youth can respond to online

2) Ask Amy - Amy writes essays about topics, answers homework questions, and responds to correspondence received from readers by mail or e-mail

3) Articles/Kid Quest - three Web sites are featured in each issue, along with a question that encourages the reader to get online and explore the site to answer the question correctly and become a Kid Quest Champion

4Kids is supporting another ALTEC project, Matrix, a Star Schools Project funded by the United States Department of Education and led by the Ohio Board of Regents. Matrix is developing standards-based math games for mobile devices to be used in after-school programs to support learning middle school mathematics. One way that 4Kids is supporting this project is by featuring content that promotes the application of math skills in at least one issue a month. If you are a middle school math teacher and would like to find out more information about how you can be involved with Matrix please contact Melanie Bacon, the state of Kansas Project Coordinator, at 785-864-0695, or mbacon@altec.org.