Common Sense Media Review
By Conny Coon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Adult themes easily encountered in popular virtual world.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 18+?
Any Positive Content?
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 38 parent reviews
Parents say this platform is fraught with dangers, especially for children and teenagers, due to rampant sexual content, bullying, and harassment, which can lead to severe mental health issues. Many warn that the site lacks adequate safety measures and support for users, often allowing criminal behaviors to thrive under the guise of user-generated content, leading to calls for it to be shut down.
- safety concerns
- explicit content
- toxic community
- inadequate support
- parental supervision
- adult only
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 32 kid reviews
Privacy Rating Warning
Privacy Rating
Our expert evaluators create our privacy ratings. The ratings are designed to help you understand how apps use your data for commercial purposes.
Pass
Meets our minimum requirements for privacy and security practices.
Warning
Does not meet our recommendations for privacy and security practices.
Fail
Does not have a privacy policy and should not be used.
Privacy Rating
Our expert evaluators create our privacy ratings. The ratings are designed to help you understand how apps use your data for commercial purposes.
Pass
Meets our minimum requirements for privacy and security practices.
Warning
Does not meet our recommendations for privacy and security practices.
Fail
Does not have a privacy policy and should not be used.
Is It Any Good?
The open-ended environment of this virtual community is part of SECOND LIFE'S appeal and charm, and there's ample opportunity for kids to flex their creative muscles (though the tools to do so are somewhat clunky). Visitors will find socializing, entertainment, games, and abundant opportunities for learning (sit in on a classroom discussion, run a business, learn to play an instrument). Plus, they can buy, sell, and develop land; build structures, and shop. Avatars can even fly! Certainly, there's nearly as much to do in this world as there is in the real world. But that's what also makes it a dangerous environment for kids. Without the safeguards that were in place at Teen Second Life, teens are more likely to wander into -- intentionally or unintentionally -- adult-themed areas or overhear inappropriate conversations or chat with someone who isn't who they claim to be. Yes, it's an engaging, creative place full of endless possibilities. But left unchecked or unmonitored, that may also present the biggest concern.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what virtual communities are. What appeals to kids about using an avatar rather than a true identity? Families can also discuss consumerism in virtual worlds. What are users really getting by buying pretend stuff in this pseudo-world?
Families can also talk about the importance of protecting your privacy and staying safe in a virtual world. What steps can you take to stay private and safe?
How are virtual worlds places for marketers to sell virtually anything? How are products and brands tied into such sites, and what makes them such great arenas for selling stuff? How can you be a savvy consumer and not buy into the virtual hype?
Website Details
- Genre : Virtual Worlds
- Pricing structure : Free
- Last updated : February 15, 2023
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