AOL Latino Launches TecnoPadres.com

Published March 10th, 2009

AOL Latino today launched TecnoPadres.com, http://www.tecnopadres.com, a Spanish-language resource for parents who want to learn, understand and discuss technology as it relates to their children and their online safety. The new site is part of part of AOL Latino’s women’s lifestyle network Tu Vida y Más, http://tuvida.aol.com.

“TecnoPadres.com will be a valuable resource for parents to learn how to keep their children safer online and to understand and relate to the technology that is increasingly shaping their children’s lives,” said Miguel Ferrer, Director of AOL Latino. “TecnoPadres is an important new venture for AOL Latino, not only because the Latino parent market is largely untapped but also because it shows we continue to be forward thinking when it comes to showing leadership within the Latino category.”

TecnoPadres.com will include content aimed at making parents more tech savvy and more equipped to understand the technology their children are using, be it social networking sites (Bebo, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter) or mobile devices (game units, cell phones). Features of the new site include:

The Online Mom Content Partner – TechnoPadres.com will use translated content from TheOnlineMom.com, http://www.theonlinemom.com, to help make the experience more engaging for users. The Online Mom is a market leader in providing online and off-line tools to help parents better understand the technology that is now such a major part of their children’s daily lives.
Technology News – The latest, breaking news in the world of technology will help parents safeguard their children while on social networks, e-mail, chat rooms, etc.
Lo Mejor De Esta Semana (Best of the Week) – This feature will link back to the site’s picks of the newest and most relevant weekly features in three popular areas: websites, helpful tips and games.
Video Library for Common Technology Challenges – TecnoPadres.com will also include an embedded video player highlighting video clips on how parents can keep their kids safer online. One example is how parents can set parental controls. Shortly after launch, a resource guide of video clips will be made available.
AOL has long been a leader in providing parents resources to keep their children safer online. In September 2008, AOL launched SafetyClicks.com, http://www.safetyclicks.com, a new online safety education Web site. It also recently introduced an improved version of its free, downloadable parental controls software, http://parentalcontrols.aol.com, that gives parents tools they need to help protect their children from inappropriate or dangerous online material.

The launch of TecnoPadres.com is in conjunction with the launch of Bebo.com’s U.S. Latino portal, http://www.bebo.com/c/latino. This simultaneous launch further shows the integration of content across the three core businesses of AOL – MediaGlow, People Networks and Platform-A – and extends the reach of Bebo to AOL Latino consumers.

The announcement marks the third new site launched in 2009 by MediaGlow, AOL’s newly formed publishing business unit. MediaGlow plans to launch a total of 30 new targeted websites in 2009 as part of its plan to expand its global reach. As part of MediaGlow, AOL Latino, http://www.aollatino.com, had 1.6 million unique visitors according to January 2009 comScore Media Metrix data, ranking it as one of the top three bilingual portals for Hispanics, according to a custom-built category by AOL.

About AOL Latino

AOL Latino, http://www.aollatino.com, is the bilingual portal for U.S. Hispanics that offers comprehensive Spanish language products and services including free email and instant messaging. The service also offers U.S. and Latin American news, financial tools, the latest in music and entertainment, personal finance, sports, fashion and beauty, as well as access to all the existing content available on AOL, http://www.aol.com.

About MediaGlow

MediaGlow, AOL’s publishing business unit formed in early 2009, centralizes AOL’s programming efforts, including AOL.com, AOL’s content verticals and commerce and marketplace channels, dozens of niche sites, and state-of-the-art studios in Los Angeles and New York City. In all, MediaGlow operates more than 70 sites and attracts more than 70 million unique visitors each month, according to comScore Media Metrix. It plans to launch more than 30 new sites in 2009. MediaGlow, along with AOL’s advertising business, Platform-A, and its social media business, People Networks, represent the three core businesses for AOL.

About TheOnlineMom.com

The Online Mom (www.TheOnlineMom.com) is a market leader in providing online and off-line tools to help make parents smarter and more comfortable with the technology that touches their family. The Online Mom bridges the gap between what kids know and what parents need to know to stay ahead in the ever-evolving realm of technology. The Online Mom is a one-stop, interactive organization providing clear information, product reviews and advice about the technology that surrounds our children on a daily basis – from cell phones to the Internet to gaming systems.