Webkinz World: a Safe Place for Kids on the Internet

Webkinz Pets are all the rage right now. And why not? These toys are cute and collectible. But my favorite part about Webkinz is its companion internet site that is designed just for kids. Known as "Webkinz World," this is a great way for parents to encourage internet activity, especially if internet safety is a top concern (and it should be!).

When you buy a Webkinz plush pet, a unique internet code comes with the toy. This is the golden ticket into Webkinz World. Kids can register their pet, meet other friends, and play all kind of games and activities. It's easy to get lost in Webkinz World, so let me break down the top reasons why Webkinz World is a safe and encouraging website for kids.

Encourages Responsibility: The main activity for children once in Webkinz World is taking care of their unique pet. The pet's health must be maintained with regular playing, exercise, and feeding. This simple exercise is like a 21st century version of eggshell-babies. Anyone over the age of 40 knows what I'm talking about! It's a great way to teach children how to care for another creature, building empathy and responsibility.

Encourages Learning: This is simply brilliant. Because feeding your pet and decorating your room in Webkinz World requires special currency, children are encouraged to earn this currency by playing games, taking quizzes, and in general stretching their brains. Simply smashing.

Truly Safe Chat: Internet chat is where kids are endangered the most. In Webkinz World, parents can let out a sigh of relief. The chat between users is highly regulated, so that only certain phrases are allowed to be pasted together. A less restricted version of chat is also available: in this version, kids can type out what they want to say, but any word not in the Webkinz dictionary cannot be transmitted. So, no "what's your address?" or "let's punch Sammy." This program really is ground-breaking.

For more tips about Webkinz World, check out this article about getting started with Webkinz.