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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?

    2.0
  • Common Sense says

    Virtual world tries to teach but may confuse.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 8 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    The basic educational ideas behind the site are good, especially its focus on both positive Internet behavior for kids and parent/grandparent Web education. But the stated age range -- from 5-12 -- isn't realistic. Many kids on the younger side of that spectrum will be frustrated by the site's confusing directions and must-read instructions.
  • Messages:

    The site claims to be the "only children's virtual world" that's benefitting society by teaching kids good character traits and positive Internet communication skills and by discouraging "materialism, greed, and hoarding."

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Not an issue.
  • Sex:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    There's a list of pre-selected words for chatting: 350 are included with a free membership, 10,000+ with a premium ($6.95/month) membership.
  • Consumerism:

    Premium members get all sorts of upgrades, like being able to actually trade trading cards (free members can only collect them), and having more choices to dress up their avatars. Parents only have access to chat logs with paid memberships.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of WoogiWorld was written by Dana Villamagna

Parents need to know that this educational virtual world for elementary school kids aims to teach its young users good character traits and Internet skills, but it may confuse younger kids. The site is far from straightforward -- it requires quite a bit of reading, and kids can't access the site map from all areas. That said, the parent section has some excellent information for parents and grandparents about the Internet-centric culture in which their kids are growing up. Parents need to give approval to join the site and to chat (which is conducted using a list of pre-selected words). Kids can sign up for free, but the premium membership ($6.95/month) comes with lots more bells and whistles.

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 it's important for even the youngest kids to talk to -- maybe sometimes even teach -- their parents and grandparents about what they're doing on the Internet. Also, how does your family decide whether to buy a membership to a site that also has a free option? When is a premium membership "necessary"? Parents, if you pay for a premium membership so you can access chat logs, how do your kids feel about that? Explain why you made the choice to do so, and listen to your child's feelings in response.
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More on WoogiWorld

What’s the Story?

Developed by the nonprofit Children's Way Foundation, WOOGIWORLD.COM is a virtual world for elementary school-aged kids. It has some impressive goals: It wants to be the site of choice that parents and educators turn to in order to teach kids all about good Internet behavior and safety, leadership, community service, health, and more.

Is It Any Good?

That's an admirable mission, and the site could be a winner someday ... if it would simplify its directions, give more audio cues for younger kids who can't read fluently, and add more content (many features across the site still say "coming soon").

But for now, the little glitches -- like long loading times, missing content, and confusing directions (for example, "You need to hold the ctrl or shift button while clicking Woogies to add buddies or report misbehavior") -- are going to confuse many kids, especially those in early elementary grades who really need to learn the messages this site wants to teach. Unfortunately, many kids are more likely to choose a site that focuses more on playability and less on lessons.

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 8
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Safety is an issue
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Safety isn't an issue
    • User content is age appropriate

  2. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Safety isn't an issue
    • User content is age appropriate

    Great Game! Safe, fun, educational!

    WoogiWorld is a wonderful game! It teaches kids internet safety, health, and has games that help with kid's education. It's safer than other kid websites. I would recommend it to Elementary kids, and some kids in Middle School (Junior High) too.

  3. Kid Reviewer Age 8
    I rate this title and give it .0

    Always play

    I am the greatest game player ever

  4. Kid Reviewer Age 8
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0

  5. Kid Reviewer Age 8
    I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give it 3.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Safety isn't an issue

    love it!!!!!!

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