Social Networking for Kids
by Alice Gnodde
As more and more horror stories surface about children being exposed to unsuitable content on the Internet, parents are finding themselves in two minds as to the extent to which they let their kids access such an indispensable – yet treacherous - tool.
The good news is that web developers are wisening up to child safety on the Internet. Concerned parents should take heart in the standard being set by Club Penguin, a social networking site for kids.
On Club Penguin, each player is a penguin that interacts with other penguins and plays games. Members who sign up and pay a monthly fee (at $5.95) earn ‘coins’ with which they can kit out their penguin in clothes and all sorts of goodies for their igloos. The penguins also have social spots where they can interact with other members who are online, like the coffee shop or nightclub.
What sets Club Penguin apart from most other online communities is that it contains strict filters to keep a close eye on the goings on on their site. It also involves parents by reporting back to them via email, keeping them up to date with what their kid is getting up to. The site runs off the membership fees alone, so there is no pestering pop-ups and inappropriate advertising, a real rarity these days.
The success of Club Penguin can certainly be attributed to the approval of parents. Club Penguin is setting a benchmark, thereby pressurising other child-orientated sites into becoming more responsible for their members. So your eleven-year-old daughter can be hanging around in a nightclub on a school night (albeit online) and there’s no need to worry. A parent is often concerned with having their children to stay up to date with the times, but safety will always be a top priority. At least now someone is listening.
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When I started reading this post I thought "But kiddie-fiddlers can still get in and cause crap". The feedback to the parents is most important I think, and will eliminate (most) dirty old men trying to meet up with unsuspecting kids.
Some kids might get worried, however, that their conversations and meetings are reported back to their folks, sort of like 'Big Brother is watching', but it's that or nothing I suppose.
Very cool. Will love to see it succeed.
Posted by Don on 2007/04/18