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  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 6, age appropriate for kids over 8; suggested age 8.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Adversite is safe but obsessed with fashion.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 8 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    Some games test skills like memory, but many test not much more than the ability to pick clothes and makeup for your Ty Girl.

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Site does promote virtual consumerism, with an emphasis on fashion, beauty, and shopping.
  • Violence:

    Not an issue.
  • Sex:

    Some of the dolls wear skimpy clothing.
  • Language:

    Chat functions use a restricted dictionary that eliminates bad language.
  • Consumerism:

    There's an online store. The site teaches girls to spend money and to constantly earn more money to spend. Girls who like the site might want to collect all the dolls.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Tygirlz was written by Denise Duval

Parents need to know that to visit this very pink virtual world of the Ty Girlz ("fashion" dolls from the same people who brought us the Beanie Baby), you need to purchase one of the dolls ($14.99), since each comes with a secret code used to access the games and activities. The virtual Ty Girlz are a bit more vampy looking than their actual doll counterparts, and they also wade in some very shallow waters, with interests that don't extend far beyond makeovers and shopping. And while the site includes games that test memory and other skills, it's these very games that drive kids to spend even more time online, since they're the way to earn Ty Dollars, the site's virtual currency. On the plus side, chat is restricted, limiting users to preselected words and phrases, or a restricted dictionary. There isn't any advertising on the site, but you can learn more about the other dolls in the collection and where you can buy them in your area. Be warned: Kids who love the site are likely to beg you for all of the dolls.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about why the Ty Girlz don't have jobs (with the exception of Rockin' Ruby, the rock star) or go to school. If your Ty Girl did have a job, what would it be? Families can also discuss how this site pushes the idea of spending money and buying things. Does the site make you want to buy all the dolls?
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More on Tygirlz

What’s the Story?

TYGIRLZ.COM is one of several virtual worlds for dolls and other toys, popular with tweens. Ty Girlz look to their Bratz doll counterparts for aesthetic inspiration: They've got the big hair, cartoonish features, and of course, sexy, sparkly clothes. In their world, kids can dress their virtual doll for auditions and dates; chat with other doll owners; shop for new furniture and clothes; and when the money runs out, play games to earn more.

Is It Any Good?

It's unfortunate that good old-fashioned play, the kind where you create the world your dolls live in, is becoming second fiddle to online play. Who needs the Barbie house and its trappings when you've got an online passport to a colorful world where you can redecorate your pad or engineer an outfit change with the click of a mouse?

Despite the virtual consumerism and promotion of new clothes and makeup, the site is relatively harmless -- as long as that virtual world is balanced with some time in the real world and less shallow pursuits.

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title off for age 2 and give it 2.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Safety is an issue
    • User content isn't age appropriate

    TyGirlz, or Playboy?

    I love the idea, but they kicked me off! Look, I know what your thinking, well, "don't do anything wrong and follow the rules" I did follow the rules though, they didn't even tell me what i did wrong, and every time my mom told them i could be allowed back on the freechat, they keep saying she didn't do nothin, the clothes are too reveling and it would make kids loose there self of steam the way these girls must always look "perfect" And now they made a boyz ty on there, HELLO its called tygirlz, Now they're gonna do that boy-girl thing! Its not eHarmony! By the way, the dolls have such sassy faceal expressions it doesn't seem welcoming. And the breasts? Gosh! Please they don't need to make it look like they had surgery! The girls on there are mean ( some are ) and they judge you in all ways possible. And they shouldn't be allowed to date on there. "Total Strangers"- hello! In the normal chat they can say what grade they're in, 1 grade to 8 grade. which means young kids may go on there often. What about THERE saftly!? I have a little cousin that can read and goes on there, I do not want her exposed to that immaturity.

  2. Parent Reviewer
    Kids ages: 4, 6, 10, 10, 12, 15
    I rate this title on for age 3 and give it 4.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Excessive consumerism
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Safety isn't an issue
    • User content is age appropriate

  3. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 3.0
    • My highlights are:
    • User content is age appropriate

    ;-)

    Fun.

  4. I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Safety is an issue
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational

    You dont have to spend to be a TY girl at mcdonalds i got a beanie babie and when I registered it asked me if I wanted a free acount but one boy asked me will you be my girlfriend

  5. I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 3.0

    Poorly made site lacks fun

    I was excited to see the doll on the shelf that came with a code to use online. I thought that it would be as fun as Webkinz. But boy, was I wrong! The chat-site is fine but the dress-up games and others lack a lot of what Tygirlz.com is hyped up to be. Don't waste your money!

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