hi5 Reviewer's Comments
Click to learn more...

You may also be interested in these review sites...

    * Internet Filter Software
    * Parental Time Control Software
    * Video Share Websites
    * Sex Offender Registry

Give yourself a virtual high–five when you join the global social networking website hi5.

Don’t limit your circle of friends to people you know from school or your neighborhood; with 50 million members, explore the unlimited possibilities of connecting with people all over the world for free.

Hi5 offers excellent networking features and they were in the running for our #2 spot; however, we found several sexually explicit photos on their website. Although the minimum age to join is 13, hi5 states in their Terms of Service agreement that they are not responsible for monitoring their content.

Networking Features: 

Hi5 provides an abundance of networking features. On your profile page, post details about yourself such as your physical description, who you are looking to network with, where you are from, your birthday, education and occupation.

Personalize your profile—write journal entries, upload photos, music and videos. Add existing friends from Yahoo, AOL or Hotmail accounts and join Groups. Search user’s profiles by keywords, gender, relationship status and location. Click on a member’s photo to view their profile, post comments and invite them into your network of friends.

Use your privacy settings to allow everyone to view your profile or just the people in your network. You can also see who has viewed your profile in the last 30 days.

Hi5 doesn’t have blogs, forums and instant messaging.

Extra Features: 

You can search through thousands of user–generated videos by keyword or category like comedy, animation, movies, music, sports and commercials.

Hi5 has a Google search box so you can type in keywords to search for other hi5 members, videos or anything on the Web.

Search for your favorite music by artist, track or genre; or browse through featured artists for new music. Click on an album cover to access an artist’s profile page where you can read the artist’s bio, listen to songs and post comments. You can also download your favorite songs to your profile page.

Although Zorpia's extra features are excellent, they don't have as many as our top three products.

Groups: 

Hi5 has a wide variety of Groups such as Romance & Relationships, Games, Entertainment & Arts, Pets & Animals, Fashion & Style or you can create your own Group.

Browse Groups or search Group categories by keyword. A number next to each Group category indicates the number of existing Groups within that category.

Monitored Content/Security: 

We found sexually explicit photos during a test search. These photos were posted in a public Group under Entertainment & Arts. There were no restrictions to enter the Group and view the photos. We also found sexually explicit music videos. The minimum age for members of hi5 is 13. In their Terms of Service agreement, hi5 prohibits posting sexually offensive content, but they also indicate that they are not obligated to monitor the content posted on their website. We feel a social networking website that caters to minors should monitor their content more closely.

Ease of Use: 

All the major categories of hi5’s website appear at the top of each page and a tab highlights the category of the current page (Messages, Video, Music, etc.) so you can easily navigate the website. A Google search box is available to search the Web or you can search for people and videos on the hi5 website. You can also view the website in seven languages.

You need macromedia Flash to join chat rooms that are based on shared interests and to connect with people in your area.

Help/Support: 

Hi5 provides a long comprehensive list of FAQs to answer account questions or how to use the various features of the website. If you do not find answers to your questions, you can contact them by email.

Summary: 

Hi5 has a variety of features such as chat rooms, groups, videos and music. You can customize your profile page by posting comments and uploading videos, music and photos. Overall, hi5 is a good social networking website; however, if the minimum age to join is 13, we feel hi5 needs to actively monitor their content.