kids-social-media
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Zigazoo
Zigazoo is a video-based social network built specifically for kids and teens, where every post is human and AI moderated before it goes live. Founded by former educators during the pandemic as a daily challenge app for kids stuck at home, it grew into what the company calls the largest and safest social network for children in the world. Kids respond to short video challenges from museums, zoos, teachers, musicians and celebrities, earn in-app currency called Zigabucks, and connect through creativity rather than private chat. It is KidSAFE COPPA certified, has no text messaging, and removes anything negative before it ever reaches a feed.
Zak Ringelstein
Zak Ringelstein is the co-founder and CEO of Zigazoo, a moderated, kid-safe social network often described as the antidote to TikTok. A former public school teacher and Teach For America alum, he built and sold his first edtech company UClass to Renaissance Learning, ran a left-insurgent 2018 U.S. Senate campaign in Maine as the only DSA-endorsed major-party nominee, then launched Zigazoo with his wife Leah during the pandemic. The company has raised roughly $26M total, including a $17M celebrity-studded Series A, and made headlines when Australia exempted Zigazoo from its sweeping social media ban.