Even though I tried to disguise it, I still sound like I was up at five a.m. for my interview for The Guardian’s Tech Weekly Podcast. In the Virtual Worlds Special, host Aleks Krotoski, characterizing Corporate Babysitter as a “watchdog blog,” asked me what I thought about the explosion of virtual worlds for kids. The segment begins around 12:30.

Before the interview, I asked PEM members to share their thoughts. Most of the parents I heard from acknowledged some benefits of virtual worlds (like practicing problem-solving and working through real-like situations) but do not allow unmoderated or unlimited access. They expressed concerns about embedded advertising (or product placement), privacy, and online safety.

Thanks to those parents who responded to me and to those who recommeded Club Penguin. We ventured in and have been pleased with it so far. As I’ve said, I’d much rather pay for access than to use an advertising supported site.

My main concern about virtual worlds is when a corporation uses one in order to hook kids into brand loyalty at an early age.

I also question the VWs that take advantage of a child’s emotional attachments. I can’t be the only parent who had to deal with a child’s shock — and then panic — when she found out she would never see her precious virtual Webkinz again unless she gave them some more money. What real-life value does that teach?

This entry was posted on Monday, July 28, 2008 at 5:19 am and is filed under Outreach, PEM, Virtual. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.