Webkinz Pros & Cons

[Atom]

Any parent with an elementary-age kid and a computer in their home has probably heard of Webkinz. My kids are obsessed with these stuffed animals and addicted to the webkinz world online.

I have mixed feelings about the whole thing. On one hand, I like the idea that they earn virtual money and use it to buy virtual stuff. I can see this spilling over into real life, as they are thinking more about how they want to spend or save their real money. On the other hand, they social-networking component seems a bit like a myspace for little kids.

Is this a chance for parents to teach their kids about appropriate online behavior, or is it an avenue for kids to develop the habit of wasting lots of time online. Probably both. I'd really like to hear the perspectives and experiences of some other parents.

[Refrozen]

You should be teaching your children about being safe online, rather than trying to stop them from using the Internet for what it offers. You will never be able to stop your kids from using MySpace-style sites as they get older (maybe at elementary age, but as they hit late grade 6 and on, these sites are big), so you must teach them what is right and what is wrong.

+ Anyone can be anything on the Internet! Just because someone says they are a cute 15 year old boy does not mean that they are in fact - cute - 15 - or a boy.

+ Don't ever give out personal information on your Profile or to Strangers. Profiles are publicly visible to everyone. Do not post your last name, phone number, address, school or anything else that may lead someone to you.

+ Don’t record yourself in a compromising fashion. If you’re not comfortable with the world seeing what you are recording, don’t post it. Remember - videos and photos put up on the internet can be broadcast across the world and cannot be removed. Be cautious with your web cam.

+ If you're uncomfortable with the way a conversation is progressing, just get out. Don’t worry about offending anyone. Utilize the “Ignore User” feature as well as the “Report Abuse” buttons. If necessary, report the matter to your local police or Childfind/Cybertip. + If you're going to send private information, send it only via private message. Comments are visible to the public and are not the place to share any personal information. Be sure that you know exactly who you are sending your information to.

+ Take precautions when meeting people you have met online - DON’T GO ALONE! Take someone with you, preferably an adult, and plan to meet in an open and public place. Tell a responsible adult where you are going, who you are going to meet and the contact information for that individual. Be sure to take a cell phone.

+ If at anytime you need someone to talk to contact Kids Help Phone. Kids Help Phone is Canada’s only toll-free, 24-hour, bilingual and anonymous phone and web counselling, referral and information service for children and youth. Everyday, professional counsellors provide immediate, caring support to young people in urban and rural communities across the country. Children and teens contact Kids Help Phone about every issue imaginable, including physical, sexual and emotional abuse, drugs and suicide. To get counselling, young people can call 1-800-668-6868 or go online at Welcome to Kids Help Phone.

[Pilar M]

Hi Atom,

I have two kids, ages 9 and 6, and they also love webkinz. Even I sometimes play the games...

In any case, in our home we are quite strict about TV and also the Internet, so they have a 15 minute limit each per day to play. That's after completing all of their homework. So, many week days they don't play at all.

This system works well for us. And I have to say I prefer that they spend their 15 minutes doing webkinz rather than Diesney Channel, where they were going before. They both take good care of their pets and sometimes we use it so they can play with their cousin, who is in Spain (and we are in the US).

So for us, so far, it has been a great experience.