 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
GoPetsLive
Common Sense Media says
Complicated social site has some iffy features.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this social networking site -- with its cute cartoon animals -- looks like it's for younger kids, but with the capability to send someone a personal e-mail, IM a "friend," and chat without a filter, it really should be saved for teens. To play, you have to download a big file (150.5 MB). A demo version is available, but also as a downloadable program (13.8 MB). Kids need to give an ID, password, birth date, gender, and full name to join. Once a member, kids fill out a profile where more optional, yet identifying, information can be entered: religion, occupation, nearest city, high school, etc, but can be kept private. Kids shop for clothing, food, or stuff for their pets to play with. Games are available, but either require a download or purchase with shells (GoPets currency that are earned or purchased with real dollars). Some GoPets products are available for sale, but not heavily advertised.
What's it about?
Come one, come all to GOPETSLIVE.COM, where pets are created and friends are made. It seems like this site took elements of several existing social networking and virtual world sites. You can buy and sell land (a la Second Life), create a profile page with personal information and communicate with other members (a la MySpace), and adopt a pet and dress it (a la Webkinz). GoPets currency (shells) are earned by participating (or they can be bought with cold hard cash). Members are allowed access to different features and objects based on their "level," which is also determined by the size of their bank account. Members aren't created equally -- there are also 3 more tiers of membership beyond the free level, starting at $3.95 a month. This site is offered in 15 different languages and boasts an icon-based chatting language for those who want to interact with members who speak different languages. Kids can also make new friends by browsing profiles of their friends' friends.
Is it any good?
There are a couple really cool features on this site worth noting. Kids can purchase certain items with their shell inventory that will actually provide cash to specific charities. GoPets can learn a skill by purchasing a craft: farming, tailoring, cooking, fishing, which with practice will provide more goods. For example, grow apple tree and mix apple with water to make apple juice. Kids may be quickly addicted to the exploring, shopping, and chatting capabilities found here, but with so much going on, this is social networking at its finest -- and most complicated.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about what type of information is safe to share with others online. At GoPetsLive.com, privacy settings are available in each account profile. Kids and parents can talk about whether they will invite friends to the site, be open to friends of friends, or keep their information and profiles on the private setting. Discussion about how to handle an unwelcome invitation to chat or inappropriate comments may be helpful before entering the site.
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- Teens & kids
AGE
OMG awsome webbie...
this is definatly a web site for people to go too.
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AGE
This Is PERFECT For 13+, Please Get Gopets Back ! =D
My 13 Year Old Daughter Loves Playing On GoPetsLive , She Is Now Very Upset And Hurt That It Has Now Been Shut Down , She Now Doesnt Use Her Computer At All. Please Put GoPetsLive Back On Track, Without It, You Are Putting Many Children Down :( , Even Me .
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Kid, 12 years old
January 9, 2011
AGE
kids we like
i love it
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AGE
Needs a little work.
I think it would be a great site. But the problem is the messages aren't moderated. And sexual stuff is a problem. Webkinz was like this before, as in not moderated. I saw 2 Webkinz users haveing Sexual talk. Not good. But yes, i would diffenetly go on this site. It's just my internet wont work for it! :(
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Kid, 12 years old
March 12, 2011
AGE
for teens
it is okay but mostly for kids 15 its not age for 11 through 14 year olds it has drinking
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AGE
Not a Good Site for My Age
This site is not safe for kids my age, because it has no filters. Better sites for my age group are Neopets*, Marapets*, Powerpets*, Webkinz*, ShiningStars*, and Myepets*.
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Kid, 12 years old
December 22, 2010
AGE
kasey loves it
i love it
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| Genre: | Social Networking |
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