I agree. I think sometimes it's okay when you're sure that the user wouldn't want to browse away from the page they are on... such as when filling out a form or maybe even watching a tutorial video. Otherwise, I think it should be left up to the user.
Personally I tend to use it for links like "follow us on twitter" because I'm hoping that they will keep both tabs open. However the comments here are making me wonder if that's too forceful.
I always found this to be true as well and I actually got really into zebra pens because I like the way they feel and I found that I tend to write more when I have a good pen. I also find that I'm more creative when I type on a good keyboard... which plays in to the theory that working against a crappy pen is distracting.
I really don't understand how models like this keep popping up and how so many companies can get away with it. At least (according to nod) you can delete your account with Honestly (although not through the site, but a request). I had an experience with a genealogy site that refused to EVER remove my account or posts from years ago... even though they lead to me being (kind of) stalked by a relative.
Anyway, thank you to tmz for pointing out http://wiki.darkpatterns.org/Bait_and_Switch - I think more people should be aware of what types of apps and websites are just trying to get access to their contacts and info. Even savvy users can occasionally get duped.
I think that safety is only one issue when it comes to kids using the internet. The other is their ability to find credible sources. A lot of kids struggle with being able to tell what's fact and fiction. (Think of that teacher who asked his students to write a report on the pacific northwest tree octopus and later couldn't convince them it was a hoax). I think if there was a way to ensure that you only provide really credible information, it's a great idea.
But I really like what you're saying though about making it more interactive and unique and adding a community.
I've been saying for a long time that we need to adopt use of technology in the classroom more often. Kids are accustomed to interactive media and yet we teach them with books and lectures only. I think this is an interesting idea because some of these children will grow up and be using social media at their jobs one day. That's not to say that it should replace a class discussion, but it's a cool way to let kids express their thoughts without interrupting the lesson. Many seminars encourage the audience to tweet their questions so they can remember them... how many times as a kid did you have your hand up for so long that you forgot what you were going to say? Tweeting your question while it's fresh in your mind would eliminate that problem.
This is something I've struggled with in my writing, especially as someone who's done blogging and AP style writing for a news outlet... Sometimes I write a sentence that might end in a question mark, which shouldn't be a part of a quote and rather placing the punctuation mark outside of the quotes (or inside for that matter) I end up completely re-working the sentence to avoid the problem. But I would have to agree that it doesn't always make sense to stick so firmly to that grammar rule. It's nice to see that I'm not alone in that thought.
Haha, I'm going to start referring to colors this way in my office. It would be fun to pair colors together as a sort of designer inside joke. Like design a celebrity site with "scolds" and "celebs." Anyway, I hope they get the t-shirt thing going. That's a cool idea.
Personally I tend to use it for links like "follow us on twitter" because I'm hoping that they will keep both tabs open. However the comments here are making me wonder if that's too forceful.