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<!-- Proposal was active last about 4months ago -->
:''For the existing content on Wikibooks aimed at younger readers, see [[Wikijunior]]''
:''For another list of related projects, both Wikimedia and non-Wikimedia, see [[List of wikis for children]]''
:''For a list of related Wikimedia-project proposals, see [[Childrens' Wikipedia]]''
{{New sister project proposal
{{New sister project proposal
|status = rejected
<!-- The following are about the status of the proposal -->
|comments = no interest. [[User:Pecopteris|Pecopteris]] ([[User talk:Pecopteris|talk]]) 06:47, 19 August 2023 (UTC)
|status = discussion/approved/rejected/closed
|project_name = '''Wikikids'''
|comments = --[[User:Sannita|Sannita]] ([[User talk:Sannita|talk]]) 12:20, 18 September 2013 (UTC)
<!-- The following are about the proposal itself -->
|project_name = '''Wikikids''' or '''Vikidia'''
|topic = education
|topic = education
|project_description = '''Wikikids''' is intended to be a Wiki encyclopedia designed for children aged 8 to 13, open to contributors of any age. The aim is both to offer a suitable corpus of knowledge for children and to let some of them, as well as teenagers, be involved in building it.
|project_description = '''Wikikids''' is intended to be a wiki encyclopedia designed for children aged 8 to 13, open to contributors of any age.
|multilingual_wiki = One wiki per language
|multilingual_wiki = One wiki per language
|multilingual = There will be several language versions
|multilingual = There will be several language versions
|technical_reqs = No. The ''Special:EmailUser'' function may be disabled.
|technical_reqs = No. The ''Special:EmailUser'' function may be disabled.
|tagline = The free encyclopedia for 8-13 years old that everybody can make better
<!-- The following are optional -->
|tagline = The encyclopedia for 8-13 years old that everybody can make better
|url =
|url =
|logo =
|logo = [[File:VikidiaLogo1.png|110px]] or [[File:Vikidia-logo.png|110px]]
|more_settings =
|more_settings =
|development_wiki = [http://fr.vikidia.org Vikidia Français (15 000)] - [http://es.vikidia.org Vikidia Español (2 860)] - [http://it.vikidia.org Italiano (starting)] - [http://ru.vikidia.org Vikidia Russian (starting)]
|development_wiki = [https://fr.vikidia.org Vikidia in French] (38 000+) - [https://wikikids.nl WikiKids in Dutch] (38 500+) - [http://it.vikidia.org Vikidia in Italian] (9 000+) - [http://es.vikidia.org Vikidia in Spanish] (5 000+) - [[Klexikon]] in German (2400+) - [https://eu.vikidia.org in Basque] (1200+) - [https://hy.vikidia.org/ Vikidia in Armenian] (1000+) - [https://ca.vikidia.org in Catalan] (400+) - [https://de.vikidia.org/ in German] (400+) - [http://ru.vikidia.org in Russian] (180+) - [https://scn.vikidia.org/ in Sicilian] (30+) - [https://el.vikidia.org/ in Greek] (40+) and '''[http://en.vikidia.org Vikidia in English (4 000+)]'''
|participants = See [[#People interested|below]]
|participants = See [[#People interested|below]]
}}
}}

<small>Other languages: {{TR-Wikikids}}</small>
<small>Other languages: {{TR-Wikikids}}</small>
The '''Wikikids''' proposal is intended to be a Wiki encyclopedia designed for children aged 8 to 13, open to contributors of any age. It aims both to offer a suitable corpus of knowledge for children and to let some of them, as well as teenagers them be involved in building it. It is very close to Wikipedia in its aim and functioning, except the age range


The '''Wikikids''' proposal is intended to be a wiki encyclopedia designed for children aged 8 to 13, open to contributors of any age. It aims both to offer a suitable corpus of knowledge for children and to let some of them, as well as teenagers them be involved in building it. It is very close to Wikipedia in its aim and functioning, except the age range.
''Wikikids'' is a ''working title'' for it, or the New or WMF Wikikids, to avoid confusion with Wikikids.nl. The proposal was first set up in 2005 and discussed within Wikimedia even earlier (2003). It was renewed several times by different users.

''Wikikids'' is a ''working title'' for it, or the New or WMF Wikikids, to avoid confusion with the already existing Wikikids.nl. The proposal was first set up in 2005 and discussed even earlier (2003). It was renewed by different users.


Such wikis do exist and are doing well in French and Dutch. The proposal includes adopting notably http://fr.vikidia.org, http://es.vikidia.org and maybe http://wikikids.wiki.kennisnet.nl.
Such wikis do exist and are doing rather well in French and Dutch.


== Rationales ==
== Rationales ==


Many children already use Wikipedia daily, for the substantial content and the well known convenient way it is to find material on any subject. However, it is often said that Wikipedia article are too long and difficult for them. Children really need and appreciate when it does exist to have a more readable content for them.
Many children already use Wikipedia daily, for the substantial content and the well known convenient way it is to find material on any subject. However, it is often said that Wikipedia article are too long and difficult for them. Many children really need and appreciate when it does exist to have a more readable content for them.


;Wikimedia Foundation's vision, mission and values:
;Wikimedia Foundation's vision, mission and values:
Rationales or grounds for this project share most of those of Wikipedia and other sister project. Wikikids can response to:
Rationales or grounds for this project share most of those of Wikipedia and other sister project. Wikikids can respond to:
*the [[vision]] statement which states:
*the [[vision]] statement which states:
:*''"Imagine a world in which every single human being can freely share in the sum of all knowledge. That's our commitment."''
:*''"Imagine a world in which every single human being can freely share in the sum of all knowledge. That's our commitment."''
Line 36: Line 39:
*:''"The mission of the Wikimedia Foundation is to empower and engage people around the world to collect and develop educational content under a free license or in the public domain, and to disseminate it effectively and globally."''(...)
*:''"The mission of the Wikimedia Foundation is to empower and engage people around the world to collect and develop educational content under a free license or in the public domain, and to disseminate it effectively and globally."''(...)


Whereas the level of Wikipedia articles makes them hardly accessible for children or even older people on some subjects, whereas they may use it for lack of a better resource, the fulfilment of these vision and mission certainly justify another encyclopedic rendering on each subject, in another wiki. Moreover, it enable them to be active in building it and share their knowledge.
The level of Wikipedia articles makes them hardly accessible for children or even other people on some subjects. While they may read it for lack of a better resource, the fulfilment of these vision and mission certainly justify another encyclopedic rendering on each subject, in another wiki. Moreover, children and teenagers can be active in the building process and gets to feel both empowerment and motivation for the content as a reader.

* the [[values]] thought their present wording is an essay, state that:
*:''"Pioneering - We're not always the first to come up with a great feature, but we sure as hell are quick to integrate it if it's libre & useful."''{{Smiley|wink}}


;Education:
;Education:
Young people can be involved in the process, alone or within educational activities organised by schools. They may also gain some digital/media literacy by learning about the functioning of a resource they will use extensively few years later: Wikipedia, although the goal is still to create content an the "knowledge resource" benefit of such a project.
There are also some specials benefits involving children in building the content: these benefits are already well-tried with the [[w:Wikipedia:School and university projects]], and the facts that they can produce things of their own interest, that add to classical content. Implementing the same self-organising frame gets children to feel an empowerment and motivation for both the content as a reader and being involved in it. Beside the "knowledge resource" benefit of such a project, it would certainly also expand the opportunities for the wiki education programs. It can make possible to reach younger pupils, that will learn not only from the content of such a Wikikids and about its functioning, but also gain some digital literacy by learning about the functioning of a resource they will use extensively few years later: Wikipedia.

:'''''See: [[Wikikids:Documentation and Vikidia]]'''''
:'''''See: [[Wikikids/Documentation and Vikidia]]'''''


;Recommendation to the WMF regarding version of the Wikipedias, aimed at children:
;Recommendation to the WMF regarding version of the Wikipedias, aimed at children:
The project meets a recommendation of the ''[[2010 Wikimedia Study of Controversial Content: Part Two#Recommendations: Controversial Text|2010 Wikimedia Study of Controversial Content]]'':
The project meets a recommendation of the ''[[2010 Wikimedia Study of Controversial Content: Part Two#Recommendations: Controversial Text|2010 Wikimedia Study of Controversial Content]]'', requested by the resolutions of the WMF Board : ''[[foundation:Resolution:Commissioning Recommendations from the Executive Director|Commissioning Recommendations from the Executive Director]]''.:
<cite><blockquote>(...)It is recommended: (...)3. That, however, the Foundation investigate the '''creation of a “WikiJunior” version of the Wikipedias, aimed at children under the age of 12''', either as a stand-alone project or in partnership with existing and appropriate educational institutions.</blockquote></cite>
<cite><blockquote>Recommendations: Controversial Text<br />
(...)It is recommended:<br />
(...)3. That, however, the Foundation investigate the '''creation of a “WikiJunior” version of the Wikipedias, aimed at children under the age of 12''', either as a stand-alone project or in partnership with existing and appropriate educational institutions.</blockquote></cite>
This work was requested by the resolutions of the Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees ''[[foundation:Resolution:Commissioning Recommendations from the Executive Director|Commissioning Recommendations from the Executive Director]]'' which states:
<cite><blockquote>The scope of this work should be broad, and might include recommended changes to editorial policies, technical solutions, '''the development of new projects that are appropriate for children''', and so forth.</blockquote></cite>


;Rights of the Child
;Rights of the Child
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For frequent questions/objections '''''See: [[Wikikids/Questions and answers]]'''''
For frequent questions/objections '''''See: [[Wikikids/Questions and answers]]'''''


== Readers age range ==
== Readers age range and expected editors ==


Wikipedia articles may often be too difficult for teenagers as for younger children. Though, to be really different from Wikipedia, Wikikids concentrates on younger children: old enough to read and to have access to internet content, too young for Wikipedia. Eight-year-olds have usually reach a pretty good reading level, whereas teenagers have other needs and opportunities. The 8 to 13 age range is just indicative; also, not every article can be exactly on the same level. Older people could find useful information on it and less than 8 year old children could be curious enough to have a look, too.
Wikipedia articles may often be too difficult for teenagers as for younger children. Though, to be really different from Wikipedia, Wikikids concentrates on younger children: old enough to read and to have access to internet content, too young for Wikipedia. Eight-year-olds have usually reach a pretty good reading level, whereas teenagers have other needs and opportunities. The 8 to 13 age range is just indicative; also, not every article can be exactly on the same level. Older people could find useful information on it and less than 8 year old children could be curious enough to have a look, too.


Everybody is invited to edit Wikikids, without age restrictions. There are no mandatory or forbidden roles or status related to the users real ages. Wikikids needs grown-up contributions and enable children and teenagers to write and to be involved in building the encyclopedia.
== Expected editors ==
* Adults involvement is essential for building content that is of quality and significance, fostering basic maintenance: to watch and ensure a certain stability in the functioning of the wiki,

* children's involvement, even when they don't produce very long articles, lets appear work on subjects that interest their peers, it responds to their aspirations and their desire to participate and they definitely can take their share in growing the content and in maintenance tasks,
Everybody is invited to edit Wikikids, without age restrictions. There is no mandatory or forbidden roles or status related to the users real ages. Wikikids needs grown-up contributions and aims to enable children and teenagers to write and to be involved in building the encyclopedia.
* older children, teenagers that don't (yet) edit Wikipedia can have the chance to do it here, and to make a good work, perhaps with Wikipedia articles as a guideline. The advantage is both the amount of work they can bring, and what this work can bring to them, like for the younger ones and like any Wikipedia editor,

School projects are welcomed provided they consider the wiki's rules and content objectives.
* school projects are welcomed provided they consider the wiki's rules and content objectives.

Adults involvement is essential for building content that is of quality and significance, fostering basic maintenance: to watch and ensure a certain stability in the functioning of the wiki.

Children's involvement even when they don't produce very long articles, has several benefits: it let appear work on subjects that interest their peers, it has a formative benefit (as a writing exercise, gaining motivation to learn by a more active sight on knowledge), it respond to their aspirations and their desire to participate and they definitely can take their share in growing the content and in maintenance tasks.

Older children, teenagers that don't (yet) edit Wikipedia can have the chance to do it here, and to make a good work, perhaps with Wikipedia articles as a guideline. The advantage is both the amount of work they can bring, and what this work can bring to them, like for the younger ones and like any Wikipedia editor.
:'''''See: [[Wikikids/For children or by children ?]]'''''
:'''''See: [[Wikikids/For children or by children ?]]'''''


Line 83: Line 74:
:'''''See: [[Wikikids/Basic principles]]'''''
:'''''See: [[Wikikids/Basic principles]]'''''


=== Existing projects to be adopted or not into Wikikids ===
== Existing projects to be adopted or not into Wikikids ==


If Wikikids is to be launched, there would be the issue of its relation with existing, and the question of existing project to be hosted by the WMF and merge with Wikikids and help it being a multilingual project. There is for now two Wikikids-like project that are doing well in activity and audience.
Should Wikikids as a WMF wiki come to existence, it could be open for already existing wikis to join. At the moment there are at least two wikis that are doing rather well measured by activity and audience.


* All versions of Vikidia would be candidate to be adopted into this Wikimedia sister project,
* <s>All versions of Vikidia would be candidate to be adopted into this WMF wiki.</s> Vikidia no longer request to be adopted within this project (Explanation on [[Wikikids/Vikidia's withdrawal of the adoption proposal]]) [[User:Astirmays|Astirmays]] ([[User talk:Astirmays|talk]]) 17:23, 5 January 2014 (UTC).
* the group of teachers that started WikiKids.nl (dutch) is interested by the proposal, thought have not state a definite answer on their will to join,
* the group of teachers who started WikiKids.nl (Dutch) is interested but has not provided an official answer yet,
* for English, see: [[Wikikids/Relation to Simple English Wikipedia]]
* for English, see: [[Wikikids/Relation to Simple English Wikipedia]]

Basic statistics on existing projects are [http://fr.vikidia.org/wiki/Sp%C3%A9cial:Statistiques Spécial:Statistiques on fr.vikidia], [http://wikikids.nl/Speciaal:Statistieken Speciaal:Statistieken on wikikids.nl] and Google Trends on [http://www.google.com/trends/explore?q=wikibooks%2C%20commons%2C%20wiktionary%2C%20wikisource%2C%20vikidia&geo=FR Wikibooks, Commons, Wikiversity, Wikisource and Vikidia in France] or [http://www.google.com/trends/explore?q=wikibooks%2C%20commons%2C%20wiktionary%2C%20wikisource%2C%20wikikids&geo=NL Wikibooks, Commons, Wikiversity, Wikisource und Wikikids in the Netherlands].


:'''''See: [[Wikikids/Review of current existing wikis akin to Wikikids]]'''''
:'''''See: [[Wikikids/Review of current existing wikis akin to Wikikids]]'''''
Line 95: Line 88:
== Project plan and potential schedule for the proposal ==
== Project plan and potential schedule for the proposal ==


The proposal has to fit into the [[new project process]] of the WMF, especially the [[New project process#Adopting an existing project into Wikimedia|#Adopting an existing project into Wikimedia]] which process was experimented with [[Wikivoyage]], since it would be a new sister project, whereas based on older wikis.
The proposal has to fit into the [[new project process]] of the WMF, especially the [[New project process#Adopting an existing project into Wikimedia|#Adopting an existing project into the Wikimedia movement]]. There is an earlier example: [[Wikivoyage]] was based on older wikis and is now part of the movement as a new 'sister project'.


A potential schedule for the process is:
A potential schedule for the process is:
* review existing wikis and wills of their communities and peoples in charge. {{Done}} See below ''Wikikids/Review of current existing wikis akin to Wikikids'',
* review existing wikis and contact them. {{Done}} See below ''Wikikids/Review of current existing wikis akin to Wikikids'',
* write a [[requests for comment]] ([[Requests for comment/Wikikids]] or [[Wikikids/Requests for comment]])
* write a [[requests for comment]] ([[Requests for comment/Wikikids]] or [[Wikikids/Requests for comment]])
* fix the basic principles and rules for the wikis to open or adopt: [[Wikikids/Basic principles]] -> to check and discuss,
* fix the basic principles and rules for the wiki: [[Wikikids/Basic principles]] -> to check and discuss,
* launch the requests for comment,
* launch the requests for comment,
* technical matters, technical requirements, choosing the final project name and domain name, promotion... [[Wikikids/Technical matters]]
* ...
; February 2014 : [[Wikikids/Vikidia's withdrawal of the adoption proposal]], yet '''[http://en.vikidia.org Vikidia in English]''' was launched in February 2014, see [https://www.wikimedia.fr/2014/02/28/vikidia-in-english-opens-today-lets-build-a-children-wiki-encyclopedia/ on wikimedia.fr].
* technical matters, technical requirements, choosing the final project name and domain name, promotion... [[Wikikids/Technical matters]],


== Previous discussions and proposals ==
== Previous discussions and proposals ==
Line 113: Line 106:
* [//lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/foundation-l/2011-June/thread.html#66428 June 2011]
* [//lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/foundation-l/2011-June/thread.html#66428 June 2011]
* [//lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/foundation-l/2011-November/070463.html November 2011]
* [//lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/foundation-l/2011-November/070463.html November 2011]
* [//lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimedia-l/2015-March/thread.html#77188 march 2015]


=== Education mailing list ===
=== Education mailing list ===
* [//lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/education/2013-March/000472.html March 2013]
* [//lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/education/2013-March/000472.html March 2013]
* [//lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/education/2013-April/thread.html#509 April 2013]
* [//lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/education/2013-April/thread.html#509 April 2013]
* August 2018 [https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/education/2018-August/002041.html 9], [https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/education/2018-August/002042.html 10] [https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/education/2018-August/002045.html 11]


=== On the wikis ===
=== On the wikis ===
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* {{es}} [//es.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia:Caf%C3%A9/Archivo/Propuestas/Actual&oldid=68655575#Wikinfantil Wikinfantil], on '''es:wp''', june-july 2013,
* {{es}} [//es.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia:Caf%C3%A9/Archivo/Propuestas/Actual&oldid=68655575#Wikinfantil Wikinfantil], on '''es:wp''', june-july 2013,
* {{de}} [//de.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia:Kurier&oldid=121296947#Neues_Schwesterprojekt_.E2.80.9EWikikids.E2.80.9C.3F Neues Schwesterprojekt „Wikikids“?] on wp:de:Wikipedia:Kurier, august 2013,
* {{de}} [//de.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia:Kurier&oldid=121296947#Neues_Schwesterprojekt_.E2.80.9EWikikids.E2.80.9C.3F Neues Schwesterprojekt „Wikikids“?] on wp:de:Wikipedia:Kurier, august 2013,
* [[Wikikids/Excerpt from the 2015 Strategy/Community consultation]], excerpt from the 2015 Strategy/Community consultation on the "Wikipedia for children" idea,
* [[Talk:Wikikids]].
* [[Talk:Wikikids]].


;Requests for simple language Wikipedia projects:
=== Requests for simple language Wikipedia projects ===
* German: [[Requests for new languages/Wikipedia Simple German|2005]]; [[Requests for new languages/Wikipedia Simple German 2|2007]]; [[Requests for new languages/Wikipedia Simple German 3|2010]] (following a ''[[w:de:Wikipedia:Redaktion Medizin/Projekt Kinderleicht|Projekt Kinderleicht]]'', to write simple articles for children); [[Requests for new languages/Wikipedia Simple German 4|2010]];
* German: [[Requests for new languages/Wikipedia Simple German|2005]]; [[Requests for new languages/Wikipedia Simple German 2|2007]]; [[Requests for new languages/Wikipedia Simple German 3|2010]] (following a ''[[w:de:Wikipedia:Redaktion Medizin/Projekt Kinderleicht|Projekt Kinderleicht]]'', to write simple articles for children); [[Requests for new languages/Wikipedia Simple German 4|2010]];
* French: [[Requests for new languages/Wikipedia Simple French|2006]]; [[Requests for new languages/Wikipedia French Simple|2008]]; [[Requests for new languages/Wikipedia French Simple 2|2010]]; [[Requests for new languages/Wikipedia French Simple 3|2012]];
* French: [[Requests for new languages/Wikipedia Simple French|2006]]; [[Requests for new languages/Wikipedia French Simple|2008]]; [[Requests for new languages/Wikipedia French Simple 2|2010]]; [[Requests for new languages/Wikipedia French Simple 3|2012]];
Line 142: Line 138:
[[Proposals for closing projects/Closure of Simple English Wikipedia|Closure of Simple English Wikipedia, 2007]]; [[Proposals for closing projects/Closure of Simple English Wikipedia (2)|Closure of Simple English Wikipedia, 2008]] (long discussion).
[[Proposals for closing projects/Closure of Simple English Wikipedia|Closure of Simple English Wikipedia, 2007]]; [[Proposals for closing projects/Closure of Simple English Wikipedia (2)|Closure of Simple English Wikipedia, 2008]] (long discussion).


=== External resources ===
=== WM blogs, external resources ===


* {{fr}} ''[http://blog.wikimedia.fr/la-documentation-et-vikidia-1494 La documentation et Vikidia]'', May 5th, 2010, Michel Barré; {{es}} ''[http://betaweblog.education/wp/vikidia-y-la-documentacion-las-ideas-de-freinet-con-nuevas-herramientas/ Vikidia y la documentación]''; {{en}} [[Wikikids/Documentation and Vikidia]],
* ''[http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/andresmh/2011/11/supporting-an-online-community-for-kids/ Supporting an Online Community for Kids]'', by Andrés Monroy-Hernández, Scratch Team at MIT, about the Scratch Online Community.
* ''[http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/andresmh/2011/11/supporting-an-online-community-for-kids/ Supporting an Online Community for Kids]'', by Andrés Monroy-Hernández, Scratch Team at MIT, about the Scratch Online Community, 2011.
* {{fr}} ''[http://blog.wikimedia.fr/la-documentation-et-vikidia-1494 La documentation et Vikidia]'', {{es}} ''[http://irisfernandez.com.ar/betaweblog/?p=1526 Vikidia y la documentación]'', {{en}} [[Wikikids/Documentation and Vikidia]], Michel Barré.
* [https://www.wikimedia.fr/vikidia-in-english-opens-today-lets-build-a-children-wiki-encyclopedia/ Vikidia in English opens today, let’s build a children wiki encyclopedia!], February 2nd, 2014.
* ''[[:File:English version Konzept Wikipedia für Kinder.pdf|Free Children’s Encyclopedia Project]], Concept for a child-oriented encyclopedia wiki (“Wikipedia for children” / “Klexikon project”)'', Michael Schulte and Ziko van Dijk, march 2015.
* {{ar}} [[:File:Projects in Wikipedia FOR KIDS.pdf|Wikipedia for Kids]], 2 avril 2015, Faiza Medjahed ([[User:Flouer]]), WikiArabia 2015.
* ''[https://en.vikidia.org/wiki/User:Astirmays/Vikidia,_an_equivalent_of_Wikipedia_for_children_and_the_information_and_participation_rights Vikidia, an equivalent of Wikipedia for children and the information and participation rights]'', Mathias Damour - contribution to the [http://www.korczak.ch/?m=37&pm=36&e=30 7th International Janusz Korczak Seminar in Geneva on May 30, 2015]. On the topic Childhood Protection and Participation.
* [http://blog.wikimedia.org/2015/07/15/klexikon-encyclopedia-for-children/ The Klexikon: a new wiki encyclopedia for children], July 15th, 2015.


== People interested ==
== People interested ==


{{/supporters}}
{{/supporters}}

== People opposed ==
# {{Oppose}}. See [[Wikijunior]]. --[[User:Hérisson grognon|Hérisson grognon]] ([[User talk:Hérisson grognon|talk]]) 13:05, 14 May 2021 (UTC)


[[Category:Wiki & Education]]
[[Category:Wiki & Education]]
[[Category:Wikikids|*]]
[[Category:Wikikids| ]]
[[Category:Wikis for children]]

Latest revision as of 06:47, 19 August 2023

For the existing content on Wikibooks aimed at younger readers, see Wikijunior
For another list of related projects, both Wikimedia and non-Wikimedia, see List of wikis for children
For a list of related Wikimedia-project proposals, see Childrens' Wikipedia
This is a proposal for a new Wikimedia sister project.
Wikikids
Status of the proposal
Statusrejected
Reasonno interest. Pecopteris (talk) 06:47, 19 August 2023 (UTC)[reply]
Details of the proposal
Project descriptionWikikids is intended to be a wiki encyclopedia designed for children aged 8 to 13, open to contributors of any age.
Is it a multilingual wiki?One wiki per language
Potential number of languagesThere will be several language versions
Proposed taglineThe free encyclopedia for 8-13 years old that everybody can make better
Technical requirements
New features to requireNo. The Special:EmailUser function may be disabled.
Development wikiVikidia in French (38 000+) - WikiKids in Dutch (38 500+) - Vikidia in Italian (9 000+) - Vikidia in Spanish (5 000+) - Klexikon in German (2400+) - in Basque (1200+) - Vikidia in Armenian (1000+) - in Catalan (400+) - in German (400+) - in Russian (180+) - in Sicilian (30+) - in Greek (40+) and Vikidia in English (4 000+)
Interested participants
See below

Other languages: da | en | ja | es | +/-

The Wikikids proposal is intended to be a wiki encyclopedia designed for children aged 8 to 13, open to contributors of any age. It aims both to offer a suitable corpus of knowledge for children and to let some of them, as well as teenagers them be involved in building it. It is very close to Wikipedia in its aim and functioning, except the age range.

Wikikids is a working title for it, or the New or WMF Wikikids, to avoid confusion with the already existing Wikikids.nl. The proposal was first set up in 2005 and discussed even earlier (2003). It was renewed by different users.

Such wikis do exist and are doing rather well in French and Dutch.

Rationales[edit]

Many children already use Wikipedia daily, for the substantial content and the well known convenient way it is to find material on any subject. However, it is often said that Wikipedia article are too long and difficult for them. Many children really need and appreciate when it does exist to have a more readable content for them.

Wikimedia Foundation's vision, mission and values

Rationales or grounds for this project share most of those of Wikipedia and other sister project. Wikikids can respond to:

  • the vision statement which states:
  • "Imagine a world in which every single human being can freely share in the sum of all knowledge. That's our commitment."
  • The mission statement:
    "The mission of the Wikimedia Foundation is to empower and engage people around the world to collect and develop educational content under a free license or in the public domain, and to disseminate it effectively and globally."(...)

The level of Wikipedia articles makes them hardly accessible for children or even other people on some subjects. While they may read it for lack of a better resource, the fulfilment of these vision and mission certainly justify another encyclopedic rendering on each subject, in another wiki. Moreover, children and teenagers can be active in the building process and gets to feel both empowerment and motivation for the content as a reader.

Education

Young people can be involved in the process, alone or within educational activities organised by schools. They may also gain some digital/media literacy by learning about the functioning of a resource they will use extensively few years later: Wikipedia, although the goal is still to create content an the "knowledge resource" benefit of such a project.

See: Wikikids/Documentation and Vikidia
Recommendation to the WMF regarding version of the Wikipedias, aimed at children

The project meets a recommendation of the 2010 Wikimedia Study of Controversial Content, requested by the resolutions of the WMF Board : Commissioning Recommendations from the Executive Director.:

(...)It is recommended: (...)3. That, however, the Foundation investigate the creation of a “WikiJunior” version of the Wikipedias, aimed at children under the age of 12, either as a stand-alone project or in partnership with existing and appropriate educational institutions.

Rights of the Child

Wikikids can meet with some articles of the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child. Among other:

"Article 13 - 1. The child shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of the child's choice."

See: Wikikids/Relation to the Rights of the Child

Questions and answers[edit]

For frequent questions/objections See: Wikikids/Questions and answers

Readers age range and expected editors[edit]

Wikipedia articles may often be too difficult for teenagers as for younger children. Though, to be really different from Wikipedia, Wikikids concentrates on younger children: old enough to read and to have access to internet content, too young for Wikipedia. Eight-year-olds have usually reach a pretty good reading level, whereas teenagers have other needs and opportunities. The 8 to 13 age range is just indicative; also, not every article can be exactly on the same level. Older people could find useful information on it and less than 8 year old children could be curious enough to have a look, too.

Everybody is invited to edit Wikikids, without age restrictions. There are no mandatory or forbidden roles or status related to the users real ages. Wikikids needs grown-up contributions and enable children and teenagers to write and to be involved in building the encyclopedia.

  • Adults involvement is essential for building content that is of quality and significance, fostering basic maintenance: to watch and ensure a certain stability in the functioning of the wiki,
  • children's involvement, even when they don't produce very long articles, lets appear work on subjects that interest their peers, it responds to their aspirations and their desire to participate and they definitely can take their share in growing the content and in maintenance tasks,
  • older children, teenagers that don't (yet) edit Wikipedia can have the chance to do it here, and to make a good work, perhaps with Wikipedia articles as a guideline. The advantage is both the amount of work they can bring, and what this work can bring to them, like for the younger ones and like any Wikipedia editor,
  • school projects are welcomed provided they consider the wiki's rules and content objectives.
See: Wikikids/For children or by children ?

Rules & Policies[edit]

Rules and policies can be very closed to wikipedia's, and develop as another community wiki.

See: Wikikids/Basic principles

Existing projects to be adopted or not into Wikikids[edit]

Should Wikikids as a WMF wiki come to existence, it could be open for already existing wikis to join. At the moment there are at least two wikis that are doing rather well measured by activity and audience.

Basic statistics on existing projects are Spécial:Statistiques on fr.vikidia, Speciaal:Statistieken on wikikids.nl and Google Trends on Wikibooks, Commons, Wikiversity, Wikisource and Vikidia in France or Wikibooks, Commons, Wikiversity, Wikisource und Wikikids in the Netherlands.

See: Wikikids/Review of current existing wikis akin to Wikikids

Project plan and potential schedule for the proposal[edit]

The proposal has to fit into the new project process of the WMF, especially the #Adopting an existing project into the Wikimedia movement. There is an earlier example: Wikivoyage was based on older wikis and is now part of the movement as a new 'sister project'.

A potential schedule for the process is:

February 2014
Wikikids/Vikidia's withdrawal of the adoption proposal, yet Vikidia in English was launched in February 2014, see on wikimedia.fr.

Previous discussions and proposals[edit]

Foundation-l mailing list[edit]

Education mailing list[edit]

On the wikis[edit]

Requests for simple language Wikipedia projects[edit]

Opposition to Simple English Wikipedia

Closure of Simple English Wikipedia, 2007; Closure of Simple English Wikipedia, 2008 (long discussion).

WM blogs, external resources[edit]

People interested[edit]

Before 2013[edit]

Before 2013

Since January 2013[edit]

  1. Eduardofeld (talk) 13:55, 31 January 2013 (UTC)[reply]
  2. Clarayipmw (talk) 10:00, 2 February 2013 (UTC)[reply]
  3. ---ecarv- (talk) 17:28, 19 February 2013 (UTC)[reply]
  4. Hope you will success! Chihonglee (talk) 06:22, 16 February 2013 (UTC)[reply]
  5. I would like to join your project, please mail to chihonglee777(_AT_)gmail.com. --Gabrielchihonglee (talk) 13:03, 24 March 2013 (UTC)[reply]
  6. FrankyLeRoutier (talk) 13:08, 24 March 2013 (UTC)[reply]
  7. — TBloemink talk 18:02, 4 April 2013 (UTC)[reply]
  8. Tempodivalse [talk] 21:26, 4 April 2013 (UTC)[reply]
    Astirmays (talk) 11:25, 6 April 2013 (UTC) See [2] Astirmays (talk) 17:55, 5 January 2014 (UTC)[reply]
  9. Hprmedina (talk) 18:50, 10 April 2013 (UTC). Nice project.[reply]
  10. Ziko (talk) 21:07, 11 April 2013 (UTC)[reply]
  11. TheK (talk) 18:36, 13 April 2013 (UTC)[reply]
  12. Jmg.cmdi (talk) 18:24, 22 April 2013 (UTC)[reply]
  13. Jean70000 (talk) 23:40, 29 June 2013 (UTC)[reply]
  14. Daniel Mietchen - WiR/OS (talk) 15:33, 12 July 2013 (UTC)[reply]
  15. ReviDiscussSUL Info 07:13, 27 July 2013 (UTC)[reply]
  16. -Mh7kJ (talk) 22:16, 29 July 2013 (UTC)[reply]
  17. LlamaAl (talk) 21:45, 30 July 2013 (UTC)[reply]
  18. ···Vanischenu「mc|Talk」 14:01, 5 August 2013 (UTC)[reply]
  19. Mcnabber091 (talk) 01:40, 19 August 2013 (UTC)[reply]
  20. Susannaanas (talk) 06:49, 4 September 2013 (UTC)[reply]
  21. Linedwell@frwiki 18:46, 6 September 2013 (UTC)[reply]
  22. aashaa (talk)--Aashaa (talk) 23:03, 12 September 2013 (UTC)[reply]
  23. Klipe (talk) 16:47, 19 October 2013 (UTC)[reply]
  24. Adler92190 (talk) 17:45, 20 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
  25. --ValterVB (talk) 17:38, 24 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]
  26. Glaisher [talk] 18:06, 10 December 2013 (UTC)[reply]
  27. --Dry Martini (talk) 11:59, 18 December 2013 (UTC)[reply]
  28. Larsnl (talk) 19:58, 5 January 2014 (UTC)[reply]
  29. Dipl-Ingo (talk) 08:56, 3 March 2014 (UTC) I'm only working on the german website, so please use my german disc to contact me.[reply]
  30. Lotje (talk) 06:18, 9 March 2014 (UTC)[reply]
  31. 190.131.54.120 14:42, 9 June 2015 (UTC) Interested in working with kids and free knowledge.[reply]
  32. --MDsmajlik (talk) 17:27, 5 April 2016 (UTC)[reply]
  33. Freddy2001 talk 07:50, 5 July 2016 (UTC)[reply]

People opposed[edit]

  1. Oppose Oppose. See Wikijunior. --Hérisson grognon (talk) 13:05, 14 May 2021 (UTC)[reply]