VLES.com

Deserted NYC virtual world has potential dangers.

Entertainment Value: Medium Graphics: Dark, detailed 3-D animation Playability: Medium Reading Level: Light Website: http://www.vles.com

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this social networking-meets-virtual reality site from MTV says users must be 18+, but kids can get around this by entering an earlier birth date. There aren't many avatars roaming around, so inappropriate content wasn't a problem, but since the site is 18+, profanity and sexual content are not off limits. (Users are encouraged repeatedly to report abuse to moderators, though.) Registration requires first and last name, email address, and location. To access the virtual world, users must download software. Teens have many opportunities to visit the Web sites for the virtual businesses (including bars and clubs) featured.

Families can talk about safety with social networking sites. How do you know if you can trust someone online? What are the potential pitfalls of sharing personal information online? What kind of information is off limits? Families can also talk about virtual communities and identity. What appeals to teens about using an avatar rather than a true identity? What does an avatar tell you about the real person behind it? What kind of identity does this site seem to think is cool?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Susan Yudt

MTV had an innovative idea: take the "hip" New York City neighborhood the Lower East Side and replicate it online as the social networking/virtual reality site VLES.COM. The site has two parts. First, register and create a simple 2-D profile, connect with friends, learn about virtual events, and listen to VLES Community Radio. (In order to create an avatar and explore the virtual 'hood, you have to download and install the VLES software.) Then, you can wander around the Lower East Side and visit local businesses -- mostly bars and clubs like Arlene's Grocery, which sometimes host virtual bands.

The idea of this site is that you can meet and talk to other avatars, but so far, VLES is practically a ghost town -- wander around for an hour and you might not run into anyone but the "bots" (automated characters planted by VLES). There are endless options for designing and outfitting your avatar; it's fun, but really underscores how image is everything on VLES. (Not to mention that all of the options converge into one prototype: white, skinny, and trendy.) VLES is a cool idea and the environment is beautifully rendered in all its gritty darkness, but it's a pretty lonely place.

Teens who enjoy virtual worlds or social networking sites will find more to do on Teen Second Life, Flip.com, or YouthNoise.com.

Reviewed: 03/12/2008

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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content Some of the avatar outfits are skimpy. Users can report inappropriate behavior, but sexual content isn't categorically off limits.
Violence
Language Language isn't restricted, and profanity (including "f--k" and "c--t") pops up in a few profiles.
Message
	Social Behavior Image is everything -- the lesson here is about looking cool and hanging out in hip places. Also, the avatars are extremely white -- no skin color darker than "tan," and few other choices representing people of color.
	Commercialism Promotes hip venues and businesses on the real Lower East Side, including links to their Web sites. Also promotes bands and events.
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco Most of the places you can visit on VLES are bars and clubs.
	Educational Value Teens might discover new bands or types of music they like, but there's no educational content.