Webkinz Virtual Pets are taking the nation by storm. Webkinz are far from the average stuffed animal. They are lovable plush pets that each come with a unique Secret Code. This unique code allows the pet’s owner to gain access to Webkinz World. Webkinz World, which can be access by going to the website www.webkinz.com, is an educational environment designed for children ages 6-13 to meet and interact with each other.
A Webkinz adventure beings with the adoption of the stuffed animal. Webkinz stuffed animals come in a variety of species, from dog and cats to monkeys and lions. The first step in the adoption process is to buy the stuffed animal and give it a name. Then, you use the secret code that came with the pet to log into Webkinz World. Once inside, the pet can custom its online house, play games in the Arcade, or read stories. As you are doing all of these fun and educational things with the Webkinz Virtual Pets you are earning KinzCash. KinzCash is “money” that the Webkinz Virtual Pets uses to go shopping at the W Shop. The W Shop is filled with clothes, toys and even furniture.
Webkinz World provides a safe environment where your child can learn lots of fun facts at Quizzy’s. Quizzy’s asks age-appropriate educationally based questions. Also in Webkinz World your child can learn how to type and spell with Lunch Letters, practice spelling skills in Quizzy’s Word Challenge, and enforce logical thinking skills with Operation Gumball. Webkinz Newz and the W Tales encourage reading and has contests that encourage writing, creativity, and problem-solving. Webkinz World also helps to teach children about responsibility, caring for a pet, and getting along with others.
There are two ways that children can interact in Webkinz World. KinzChat and KinzChat PLUS. In KinzChat, the chat is entirely constructed. There is no way for a user to type what they want, nor ask or say anything inappropriate to any other user. Children can choose from a menu of sentences and phrases. There is no way to exchange any personal information of any sort. In the KinzChat PLUS area, members may type their own messages. In order to create a safer and more appropriate environment than an open chat room, KinzChat PLUS limits members to using words from a restricted dictionary from which numbers, most common names, many place names and a variety of inappropriate words have been eliminated. If a member tries to use a word that is not in the dictionary, the word will turn red, and the member will not be able to send the message. We recognize that some members will try to circumvent the limits of the restricted dictionary and we cannot promise that disclosure of personal information or inappropriate communications will never occur. KinzChat PLUS can only be accessed by a member who has received parental consent.
Webkinz provides a safe avenue for a child who is eager to access the internet. This site provides many safety features not offered by other websites. In a world full of internet predators, Webkinz World might be considered by parents as a way of acquainting a child with the internet.
