Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this is a safe place where kids can explore a virtual world as they learn a little bit about the responsibilities of caring for a pet. The site offers a Safe Chat environment where members can communicate with other e-Pet owners that includes a "bad word filter" and requires parental approval. Parents can also adjust any communication settings for kids under 13. At the time of writing, messages could be composed using only "canned" text (kids choose pieces of predefined text), but other options such as Friend to Friend Text and Open Text are pending; both will require approval from parents of kids under 13. A No Text option is also available, allowing parents to completely block any communications from other members. In any communications, kids are identified by their e-Pet's name, not their own, and no personal information is displayed.
Families can talk about the pet care aspect of the site. What kinds of things do you do to care for your e-Pet? What do you enjoy about it? Do you think you're responsible and consistent about caring for your e-Pet? How do you think it's different from caring for a real animal? What would you need to do for a real pet that you don't do for your e-Pet? Parents can also talk about the community aspect of the site. Do you have Pals registered in the MyPals chat area? Are they all friends that you knew before you joined the site? How did you learn that they had e-Pets? What kinds of things do you chat about when you're online?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Larisa Wiseman
Cute and colorful, the virtual world of MyePets.com is a great way to introduce kids to the joys of pet ownership. After buying a MyePets stuffed animal and registering it (requires adult permission) on the site using the toy's secret code, kids can interact with their e-Pet -- an adorable animated representation of the stuffed animal they purchased -- and explore the critter's virtual world (including a post office where members can send e-cards). There's also an arcade featuring kid-friendly games; playing games allows pet owners to accumulate credits that are used to "purchase" meals or other items for the pet or stuff for their house. Members can chat with their e-Pet via a set of predefined questions, which the pet will answer, helping the owner determine the animal's needs. There's also a Safe Chat area where members can communicate with each other. While not exactly educational, this environment is tons of fun for grade-schoolers and relatively harmless. And, if your kid has been begging you for a real pet, the site may even provide a good test run to see whether he or she is ready for the responsibilities.
Webkinz.com is a similar site that requires the purchase of a stuffed animal and allows the owners to interact with the virtual versions of the animals in their online world. Young pet lovers might also want to check out VirtualFishtank.com for interaction with a less fuzzy, lower-maintenance animal.
Reviewed: 09/25/2007
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CommercialismThe purchase and registration of a Rescue Pet stuffed animal is required in order to enter the site. And, kids must play games to earn credit to buy things for their pets and their houses. The more credits you earn, the more stuff you can buy. |
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Educational ValueTeaches kids to take care of a pet. |
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