There (http://www.there.com)
common sense media says
3-D virtual world can be creative, inappropriate.
parents & educators say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that their teens should use caution when hanging out in this free 3-D virtual world. It can be a fun and imaginative place to chat and play, but it can also be addictive, socially stifling, and be a place where kids do, say, or wear things they wouldn't in real life. Premium membership costs around $10 and added features like clothes, home furnishings, and cars cost Therebucks, which are purchased with a credit card or Paypal. Teens may be tempted to spend frequently as there are many things to buy that enhance the online experience. It's also easy to be sucked into spending a ton of time in this world.
Educational value:
With premium membership, users can become landlords, fashion designers, and party hosts for other visitors. There's a lot of opportunity to show creativity and learn if teens decide to do so.
Violence:
None was observed, but anything goes in virtual worlds where the avatars can say what they want and go where they want. Online verbal "fights" can happen.
Sex:
Avatars can kiss, flirt, dress provocatively, use sexual language, and customize body types -- big boobs included. They can also take conversations somewhat "offline" by chatting one-on-one in private.
Language:
The site describes its language as "PG-13" but members can disable their filter and chat freely and use words that might be offensive.
Consumerism:
Multiple sponsorship programs; companies (like Coke and CosmosGirl!) can advertise by hosting a special world, chat room, and events or run promos. Members use real dollars to buy "Therebucks" -- There.com's online currency (1,800T = US $1). Premium membership costs around $10.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
Some avatars are seen drinking a firey concoction.
More on There
Review It
Most useful reviews by all members
Bobbi62
adult
adult
An adult perspective
There* is billed as a site for teens, but there are plenty of adults who spend time in here. It's a large enough world, with enough different places waiting to be colonised, that adults who want to create a calm oasis in which to chill and caht can freely do so away from the teenage party areas.
For me it's a way to relax away from the pressures of real life, and I've made virtual friends with people from all round the world. Great.
Of course, escapism has other interesting sides. I can be whoever and (more-or-less) whatever I want in the There* world. So I can have a wonderful waterside home with fields and mountains out the back; and the cost of renting the space and buying the goods is likely to feel modest to a middle-aged person.
On the other hand - I could pretend to be a teenager (which I'm definielt not) - and so the usual precautions about on-line safety that you'd apply to MSN or Bebe are still important.
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KiPunk11
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
A great way to kill the boardom.
Ok... This is getting a bit out of hand.
Let da K-man breaggitdown
Sex-nothing explicit. Kissing and thats all. Of course, there's always talking....
Violance- Running over people and shooting people. You cant die, and your guy comes out totally unscathed. The guns are unreallistic but can be made to look real. And even though there only paint guns, thay will send you FLYING!!!
Language-If you leave your chat filter on, its all good. But voice chatters are a different story.
Social Behavior- If your nice, people will like you. If you're an A-hole, you'll get the heck shot out of ya.
You can drink, but you cant get staggering wasted or anything.
I /----
I I I
I I I
I ____/ out of 10
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pascal
teen, 17 years old
teen, 17 years old
u need real money for virtual items
game revolves around money-u buy it and how rich you are in the game
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