Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this site is open to anyone 12 and up, but the amount of adult players, gambling games (you have to be 18 to gamble here), and real prize money makes it a less-than-ideal hangout. Also, playing the free games requires wading through streams of ads for everything from credit cards to baby food. To nix the ads and get other perks, users must pay $5.99 a month for a membership. The unmonitored chat rooms are grouped by age (teen to 50+), but you have no way of knowing if people are really the age they say they are -- and some chat rooms are listed as "uncensored." Members have the option of chatting in private rooms.
Families can talk about why consistently playing games that have prize money may not be a healthy habit. How do Las Vegas-style games become addicting to some people? Which games require some skill and thought and which don't? Is it worth paying extra money to bypass the ads before each game, or do you mind waiting the ads out and playing for free?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Dana Villamagna
POGO.COM offers scores of games and contests, and while many of the free games are engaging, fun, and educational, others are pure gambling -- with thousands of dollars in prize money to lure people (those over 18) into playing to win, win, win. Or pay $5.99 month to become a Club Pogo member, which allows you to bypass the ads, participate in "special events," create an avatar, and have access private chat areas. Sponsored by game biggie EA (Electronic Arts), Pogo.com reportedly puts out more in-house developed games, features, and prizes than any other gaming site on the Internet. Many of the games are downloadable. Many can be played as multiple-player games. All are filled to the brim with ads from seemingly every big-name company in America. Overall, Pogo.com's games appear harmless -- and even enlightening -- yet for younger game enthusiasts many of them mirror real-life gambling too closely. As a result, some teens may be playing with an addictive fire that they don't yet know when or how to put out.
For a safer gaming site, check out KOL.com.
Reviewed: 07/26/2007
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Sexual ContentWhile none observed, some of the unmonitored chat areas are listed specifically as "uncensored." |
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LanguageThere's no monitoring, and some comments on chat boards are mean-spirited and not intended for kids. |
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Social BehaviorSite touts Vegas-style gambling games and promises cash prizes. |
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CommercialismTons of pop up, banner, and other ads. Must pay $5.99/month or $39.99/year for special club access. |
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Educational ValueSome games, like the word games, require brain work. Others are mindless. |
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