vSide

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Sleek but shallow virtual world; could be safer.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this site requires users to download software to participate in its virtual world. The chat has a profanity filter, and users who curse excessively, bother other users, or violate other terms of service can be suspended or banned; this is enforced. However, the site also has a browser-based social networking feature that has fewer restrictions -- there's cursing and rude behavior in profiles and forums, and forums encourage users to upload real photos of themselves. Users can by virtual things with virtual points or by purchasing "vbucks" with a credit card. The virtual world has a ton of embedded advertising, as well as several clubs with bars. (The terms note that users should be 13 or older.)

  • There's a lot of focus on "partying" and buying clothes. Most of the content is based around shopping, clubbing, and looking cool. Users in the virtual world are suspended or banned for bad behavior, but the forums and profiles don't have the same standards.
  • Not applicable.
  • Many female avatars wear very skimpy clothes.
  • The virtual world has a chat filter, and users can be booted for excessive profanity. However, many users curse in their profiles and on forums.
  • Product ads appear throughout the virtual world, mostly for clothes. Users can buy virtual things by purchasing "vbucks" with a credit card. There's advertising integrated into content -- you can visit Tyra Banks' studio or the Pussycat Dolls' apartment, among others.
  • There are clubs with bars.

What's it about?

From the developers of VLES comes VSIDE.COM, a virtual world that teens access through downloadable software. Users can explore three virtual cities that feature clubs and stores, special event spaces (like the Tyra Banks Studio or the Pussycat Dolls' loft), and apartments, which vSide residents can "pimp" -- as the site puts it -- to their liking, using either vpoints (earned through interactivity) or vbucks (purchased with real money). There's also a browser-based component of user profiles and forums.


Is it any good?

 

Like VLES, vSide suffers from a bit of an attitude problem. Even the bots (planted characters) can get mouthy -- one of them tells you right off the bat that your look is a little "tired" and you should buy some new clothes. Accordingly, most of the content is based around shopping, clubbing, and looking cool. Teens who are looking for "a place to party online" may enjoy hanging out with their friends in this sleekly designed environment, but others may prefer a virtual world with a bit more substance.


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What families can talk about

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 and images are 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?


This review was written by Susan Yudt
Adult
July 5, 2010
 
I Totally Disagree....
apparently all u did was look at the places why dnt u ask the users what they thought vSide is the best virtual world that i have ever came across its easy to use and i have found some great friends on vSide you can make ur own apartment into anything that you want (hospital,dentist,modeling agency,etc...) just because someone HEARS something bad about a website doesnt mean its bad u hve to try it for yourself.i think these rates on vSide are totally wrong and yes i agree tht ppl have attitudes and yes they use profanity and yes there are some sluty clothes but blame it on the creaters think b4 you rate

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Parent of 18 year old
August 14, 2009
 
Better be over 21...and read between the lines
I have had many accounts on vside. Some of the "commenters" here are some of the biggest troublemakers I have ever seen. I abandoned the vside site with over 2,ooo,ooo points because of the constant harrassment from some of it's users, and the knowledge that it was a promotional site for porn sites. When the news came out about transferrence of Vbux and points, it was obvious that vside was on its way out. Some friends and I saw what was happening and took some steps to help that along...in the newspaper and national law enforcement areas. Anyone with a webcam and an outgoing personality....as well as a nice bod and some friends with nice bods...could make a fortune. Sad state of existence...it was a shame to have to avoid everyone because nobody could be trusted, or was just of a foul attitude, in such a cool place. If you are a vsider...watch your kids. This is an adult site, no matter what the ratings are.

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Adult
July 24, 2009
 
Overall, its a good game. Not suitable for kids under16
It is an ok game but...ur kids need to beware that there are older ppl on this game(20+) and everyone cannot be trusted! It is a fun game and cool virtual place to hang out and meet cool ppl over the internet but make sure that they don't give out personal info(pics,#,address,etc) for doin so could make they're time in the world a not so good time if certain ppl get hold to them!

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Adult
July 22, 2009
 

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Adult
February 9, 2009
 
Vside is great
Not only is vSide FREE but it's fun and if you're looking for a community to join that's 13yrs+ I highly recommend it. As for the review by Susan Yudt- I disagree with her opinions of vSide being "mouthy". I don't know where she comes from but being from both coasts of the USA- I believe the game is very inviting. You can't hop on anything for an hour and expect to hit on every aspect. This game is meant for teenagers but there are many pre-teens who vSide it up which is wrong but it proves that vSide is NOT difficult to use at all. The community tries to make vSide a fun place to be to just hang out- listen to good music and communicate with others from all over the world.

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Kid, 11 years old
July 20, 2010
 
I disagree however the girls in there are VERY desprite! lol
Its fun but like every game on the internet girls will try to be Hot or sexy to get boys attention

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Adult
February 18, 2009
 
You didn't give vSide enough time to give an accurate rating...
I understand parts of your rating... yes vSiders can be mouthy and have huge attitudes... They don't see it because they're not in vSide as noobs anymore... I have made noob accounts and went into vSide and I get treated totally different than if people knew who I really was... I have played vSide since March 2008... I love the game and I have made some great friends on this game.. friendships I wouldn't ever trade for anything. But vSiders do have attitudes that they don't realize they have... and they are mouthy.. they say in their reviews that they aren't mouthy and what not, but just look at the reviews they left, they are mouthy themselves in the reviews they leave.. but they are also right in saying that you can't get away from those attitudes.. every game will have them.. its a part of life.. You run into attitudes like these in high school too, so I don't think that should be a part of the rating in all honesty.. vSide is pretty easy to play compared to when i first joined when their wasn't a tutorial... and compared to other games.But what vSide has that other games probably don't have.. I havent ran across any anyway, but vSide has guides that are real people running them, not bots, and they are their to help you out. Most games don't have a feature like this, and often times you're getting help from a bot that doesn't help you, and other users don't want to help you out or their isnt another user that is close by... When a guide helps you out, not only do you get help, but you also have an opportunity to build a relationship with that person, and possibly become friends with them at some point. The staff of vSide are also great. They are involved in the community, and they really listen to us. They do their best in making vSide about us, and putting things in vSide that we as the community want most. They hold radio shows on vSide too that are fun to attend... I really don't think you gave vSide enough time before you reviewed it... You can't find all the great stuff about vSide in one day.. you need to discover it for a lil longer, b/c their are so many more things about vSide that you must not have experienced and I know you didn't experience b/c you didn't mention them in your review.

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Adult
February 9, 2009
 
I find it ironic how...
your site is called 'common sense' when you clearly don't have any yourself. How the hell do you think you can just log on to vSide for, let's say an hour, and claim to know everything about it? Your review was completely lame...I've been a member of vSide for almost two years and that's gotta tell you something if I've been on there that long. I don't know what world you come from, but all virtual worlds have attitude, the whole WORLD has attitude, and you do as well. vSide is more than just a virtual world, it's a place where you can go for fun and to be yourself...there's loads to do on vSide, you just chose not to seize the opportunity so instead you criticized it on the smallest details. If I were you, I would start looking at the big picture when it comes to reviewing because you're doing a terrible job. I really find it amusing how you see vSide as 'hard' when it clearly has tips and even Guides there to help you...are you mental? vSide is awesome, and as a veteran user, I give your stinking lousy review a GET A LIFE rating. Have a nice day. :)

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Adult
April 10, 2009
 
vSide
In my opinion, vSide is a great website for teenagers. The graphics are great, the mods are very helpful, and they do not tolerate any abuse. Getting vPoints are easy to get and the vBux aren't too pricey. You can give anyone vBux or vPoints too. You can buy apartments, decorate them, go to parties, throw your own parties. Though I hope this virtual world dosen't become like the likes of the filthy IMVU. vSide has even added 2 player actions, such as giving a person a kiss on their lips, a hug, or a simple handshake. I feel that any teenager would enjoy this new world. There is so much to the vSide experience.

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Adult
February 9, 2009
 
Well....you see....uhmm...
vSide is a Great game for children Over the Age Of 13. There MAY be some explicitness, But thats usually from people who are what we call in vSide, "vHookers or vStrippers" Because we all no they don't have a Life and Dress Up like Slu*. Anyway, Besides that, vSide has a great community and it is well planned out. So Don't Hate or Bash our community just because you may not like it. Doppelganger Created this game with experience and Love. (Unlike Most other Virtual worlds.) vSide is still a Growing Community and We're All very pleased with its progress from The Music Lounge (- Previous Name of the Game, which was just based on music) Our Community is ALWAYS making vSide better, even if You cannot see it physically...Just think about What I've Said and Try not To Bash something that isn't worth Bashing... - P.S. Doppelganger Didn't Create vLes Before vSide. - vLes isn't even ran by Doppelganger.

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This review was written by Susan Yudt

This review was written by Susan Yudt

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About our rating system
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.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

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