 | 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. |
SmallWorlds
Common Sense Media says
Engaging virtual world for teens and adults.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this browser-based virtual world attracts both teens and adults. The site prohibits profanity and obscene content, and there's very little to be found that violates these standards; by and large, the current community is dedicated to good, clean fun. There's no charge to sign up, but a premium membership is in the works, along with other commercial endeavors.
What's it about?
SMALLWORLDS.COM adds a new element to the usual chat-and-shop experience of many virtual worlds: missions. Once users create an avatar from a diverse palette of options, they're introduced to the mechanics of their universe via a series of missions. These increasingly complex tasks encourage users to interact with their environment, from acquiring furniture to training a pet. Locations have objects to examine or use, some of which can be integrated with other Web sites -- for example, you can display a Flickr photo in a picture frame or watch a YouTube video on your TV.
Is it any good?
Even in its early stages, SmallWorlds.com is extremely sophisticated and rich in detail, yet user friendly. The beginner missions serve as a handy interactive orientation, teaching players how to zoom, rotate, sit down, use objects, and so on. Helpful tips from moderators and forum users make challenging tasks fun rather than frustrating. Best of all, more advanced users can create their own missions for other players to take on, making this virtual world a truly creative, collaborative endeavor.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about what's safe to discuss online and what's not. How do you know whether you can trust someone enough to make them a "friend" and share personal information? Some of the missions encourage users to interact with each other, so families can talk about how this kind of interaction compares with offline socializing. Families can also discuss what's a reasonable amount of time to spend on this site, since it's very easy to get carried away.
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- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
It's not that inappropriate....
You know what? If you're actually smart, you can lie to people! LIE to pedos! I live in New York City and I ALWAYS tell people my name is Erikka Monez, I'm from San Diego, California and I'm 19 yrs old. I even made a fake myspace for god sakes! If there are people harassing or using sexual behavior or something else inappropriate, there is and option to report them to the SmallWorlds Moderators and they will get banned for an amount of time due to the severity of the situation. If you can handle some swearing, and the whole boyfriend girlfriend thing, you can play SmallWorlds.
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AGE
SmallWorlds NOT for Kids
Who are we kidding? If you want a safe web site for your child to play games on, go to Disney. Smallworlds is not a safe website for children of any age. I've been on the website with more than one avatar and if I am not being bombarded by some 14 year old asking if I want to be their girlfriend of boyfriend (depending on what avatar I'm playing) someone else walks in the room with an Avatar whose name is Sexy Panther.
SmallWorlds moderators are usually 14 year olds in my experience and are not all that helpful. Their response to being harassed by anyone is to block them and or lock your room.
There are many adults on SmallWorlds, most of the people I've run across are between the ages of 17-45.
I won't allow my 12 year old play this game and I wouldn't allow him to play it if he was 15 years old unless I was sitting right next to him.
Some rooms might not allow the use of swear words or any other type of inappropriate language but there is NO sensorship of email whatsoever.
I've repeatedly asked Smallworlds to make a over 18 portion and an under 18 portion but I am sure they won't. I've even come across men posing as teens trying to pick up young girls, reported them and seen them banned for a day or two, but nothing prevents them from creating another Avatar or 10.
This site scares me in regards to SmallWorlds attitude about harassment especially when it comes to sexual harassment. There is no way to prove or disprove your age on SmallWorlds and until they come out with a way to enfore AGE proof and be able to recognize it on the avatar itself, my child won't play.
For the person who wrote the clothes are sexless, I've seen avatars that look like whores or worse with mid-driff tops and mini-skirts and more make up than a clown. I've seen avatars that look better than people, who cares if they aren't anatomical...ask anyone on there and they'll tell you that there are some sexy avatars on SmallWorlds. This place IS NOT suitable for CHILDREN or UNSUPERVISED.
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Kid, 12 years old
June 15, 2010
AGE
i love Smallworlds. In fact I play this with my daughter she is safe she can handle the language and she walks away.
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AGE
To address parental concerns
I am an avid user of this game. Honestly, I think it's just fine for most teens to use. I do not agree with parents that say this site is not safe for any teen to use. If that is the case then they should be banning their child from all internet and cell phone privliges! The internet and most other technology has made things that you would normally want to keep from children readily available. I have been playing this game for a little over 1 year now and I think it's great! They have wonderful missions that teach users how to avoid scammers and teach how to report someone that is harrassing them. If the child/teen decides not to use these methods of protection then that is their choice. There are also many missions with positive, educational, and even moral issues addressed. So aside from the ocasional bad apple (in my experience, for anyone who is being lude or harrasing, usually there are many regular members who will come to help a person in need of help to get a moderator or help them block that user. Most people in the game are pleasant and want to keep the game that way.) the game is a wonderful outlet for children ages 13 and older. I think it is a great way to help children deal with real world situations as you are dealing with people from around the world. So as long as you take measures to protect yourself (as you would need to do on ANY social website) this can be a great game for anyone!
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Kid, 12 years old
May 21, 2011
AGE
Its awesome for 10 year olds and up
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AGE
Trust Your Kids
I think this website is safe for your children if your kids dont get in the wrong situation... This site is safe for your children if you think you can trust your kids. Most places on Smallworlds ban you from using sexual type words and/or swear words.
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Kid, 9 years old
March 16, 2011
AGE
GREAT GAME
As long as you know what you are doing then it is fine. Very fun game!
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AGE
WOOT!
Smallworlds has an age requirement, 11 and 12 do not meet that requirement. If you don't have enough maturity at that age to respect rules..........any rules well it's no wonder why kids are ruining the reputation of the game. I'm an adult player and I've played for a year and I have never witnessed an adult that I know of approach a younger player for indecent online activity. But who can really say with certainty what the age of any player is?. None of us can. I have seen avatars who say they are 14 approach others and not care how old they are. But I've never seen one say "hey I'm 25, I don't care if you are 11 I just want to have some fun with ya". Smallworlds is a creative game, where players create spaces and missions to earn virtual currency and until last Summer when school let out, there was not a strip club, dating/adoption spaces, makeout rooms or kissing booths until these younger players discovered it. And those that behave this way are reported to a moderation team and warned withing minutes or banned entirely from playing the game. I've reported hundreds for cyber sexing in Smallworlds created public spaces and it's always teens/tweens doing it. As far as any online activity for younger people, it is the responsibility of the parent to insure their child is playing safely. It is the responsibility of the developers to insure they obey the Terms of Service and Smallworlds does this swiftly. In the past year, there have been four upgrades to make this game more easy to understand, chat filters are updated, report functions upgraded and new features are being added constantly to keep your interest in the game. Why? because they listen, the developers and staff interact with players and listen to wants and concerns. I've yet to find this anywhere else in the virtual worlds.
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AGE
Perfect for age 13 and up
Fun to play sometimes people may fight or looking for trouble on smallworlds buy using spells, or freeze gun on others
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