It’s going to be fun for kids. Kids network to chat, share jokes and pictures, email, do homework, socialize, and play games. Keeping them safe while using the net always flows. Many websites have been created to provide a safe place for kids to play, learn or connect. Over the years, sites like Webkinz and Club Penguin have developed a loyal following of six-figure-sized visitors. Here is a guide to some of the best places for kids on the internet.
General Internet Security
In general, before your kids start surfing, the rules of what is safe online should be clear. Due to their trusting nature and precautionary reasoning skills, kids can easily become predators. Here are some general guidelines for keeping kids safe when they surf the web;
– Make sure your kids know never to give out personal information on chat sites. It includes name, phone number, email address, school or any other identifying information. This is important to think about when choosing screen names or chat usernames. Never include the first or last name in your child’s email!
-Be aware of what your kids are doing online. More and more, Internet service providers are offering monitoring tools to make sure your child doesn’t want to visit sites. not used by children. Yahoo and AOL both provide effective tracking and protection of children’s email, chat and online activity.
-That computer in an open area where adults can easily see what is on the monitor. A family room is a good choice.
Club Penguin www.clubpenguin.com
What it offers: In Club Penguin, every child can have their own penguin who can travel through a virtual town and interact with other penguins. Kids can play games to earn coins to dress up penguins or buy ornaments or decorate their own igloos. Free members can buy decorative jewelry and clothing, as well as pet puffers, small fuzzy pets. The themes change regularly, and free clothing items are also available.
Price: You can use all the games and chats for free, but membership is required for most outfits, to have a pet, or to buy igloo decorations. Club penguin prices range from 5.99 for one month, up to 57.95 for an annual membership.
Advantages: Each chat area monitors and kids are encouraged to monitor each other and report inappropriate activity. Members may be penalized for using inappropriate language in chat areas, penguin mode, etc. There are many games that can be played, some with educational value. Games are generally called arcade. The Club Penguin site is easy to navigate and loads fairly quickly. Aptenodytes do not require regular care or feeding to live. You may leave them for a month, and return without penalty.
Disadvantages: No restriction to what you can type in your chat. While the penguin club has strict rules for renting a chat room, it is dependent on the moderators and the cars of the members. To buy most clothes or jewelry, you must become a paid member.
Webkinz World www.webkinz.com
What it offers: Webkinz are all the rage right now. How they work: You go to your local shop or Hallmark store, buy a Webkinz stuffed animal, and with the code in its tag you can create a virtual version of your Webkinz pet. You can give your Webkinz name, home decor, and interact with other web enthusiasts. There are several games available in which you earn Kinzcash, which you earn to buy food, toys, and decorations for your home< /a>. Pet Webkinz are collected and each month new Webkinz are introduced and older ones retire.
Price: Webkinz cost between $8-$15 each. Each Webkinz purchase entitles you to a year of playing on the website.
Advantages: Many of the Webkinz games have some educational value. There are many games available, including word games, quiz games and arcade style games. Score better in games to earn more Kinzcash. Daily changes in the activity card feature “game of the day” where Kinzcash earns more. The
decorations for pet homes are elaborate and do not require much kinzcash. The new chat feature offers prescriptive phrases that limit what can be matched to appropriate sentences.
Disadvantages: Webkinz has an element of pressure to keep kids coming frequently. Most games can only be played once a day, and it is a special note that you have to visit and manage Webkinz every day for a week to get the prize. Webkinz must be fed and cared for regularly or ill. You can’t make Webkinz, only their rooms. On the Webkinz site some time was spent.
Nicktropolis: www.nicktropolis.com
What it offers: This site is Nickelodeon’s answer to chat and games for kids. A site where you can create a virtual human version of yourself to go through Nightcrawler, play games, chat, and interact with Nickelodeon characters. Funhouse offers where you can slide, go down chutes/tubes and many chat areas. The characters meet Spongebob in his pineapple, meet Jimmy Neutron or Danny Phantom, and talk to them. Players can earn points to use for decorating their living room by playing or growing green flowers.
Price: Free
Advantages: Nictropolis offers scripted chat and is limited to what can be typed. Many regions to travel, and many games to play, some of educational value. The site loads quickly.
Disadvantages: Many features of Nicktropolis are frustrating as you have to re-select what you have on your character before entering each room. The site is also somewhat difficult to navigate. Likewise, points are awarded in games not for high scores, but for attendance. Each game earns 25 points, regardless of the score received.
Stardoll.com www.stardoll.com
What it offers: . Stardoll.com is a site where you can choose a celebrity and arrange them in a wardrobe, just like paper dolls. You can make a few dolls like makeup, haircolor, etc. Stardoll.com allows you to save a few of your creations, create your own avatar, and customize it. It offers a chat feature and a journal/member profile section, like a blog type interface. You can view and comment on other dolls and personal accounts, and interact with other members. No games here, this site is custom.
Price: The start of stardoll.com is free. The cost is incurred when you send an avatar or gifts to friends/etc. There are basically two ways to get stars: one is through point rock, in which you earn points for transporting celebrities or your doll, or to purchase stars, which are 5.49 for 50, 9.99 for 100, 13.99 for 150 or 27.98 for 300. Just to give you an idea I’ll pay you what goes up to your star, also the clothes 4-5 stardollars for each. Each new member is assigned to start something stellar. Of course, you don’t have to pay at all if you want to play and dress up the celebrities.
Advantages: Custom me-dolls offer many customizations, and you can design a me-doll that really looks like you, from hair to face shape, body shape, eye color, freckles, etc. This site is perfect for girls who love fashion, and has endless possibilities for dressing up. Outside of the program schedule, there is no pressure to attend the site, and “my dollars” require no care. Journals/comments are only available to those with parents permission and the site is moderated. The site loads quickly.
Disadvantages: With the exception of developing social skills, this site doesn’t really have much educational value. Your me doll starts with just under where in, you have to spare the initial syllables to get dressed right away. Depending on how much your child wants to dress up, this site could become expensive.
These are a few thousand pages geared towards kids. Here’s to happy and safe surfing for you and your family!
