vSide (http://www.vside.com)

common sense media says

Sleek but shallow virtual world; could be safer.


parents & educators 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.)

Educational value: Not applicable.
Positive messages: 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.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Many female avatars wear very skimpy clothes.
Language: 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.
Consumerism: 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.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: There are clubs with bars.

More on vSide

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
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?

Is it any good?

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.

This review was written by Susan Yudt
 
 

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Review vSide





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What parents & educators say

12

Most useful reviews by all members

xBeauty
adult
 
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

mamba
parent of 18 year old
 
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.

 
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!

 
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.

Nothingtodo2
kid, 11 years old
 
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

maisye
adult
 
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.

Bullet
adult
 
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. :)

 
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.

 
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.

primeweirdo
teen, 17 years old
 
Who made this review?
Clearly, you did not read vSide's TOU. Users on vSide must be 13 years old and up. Of course it isn't going to be for little kids. THINK, people, THINK!

 
Not exactly the truth
This site sure does have its share of problems like most social websites do, honestly though, you'll make some great friends here and probably find it a very amazing place to hang out. For one, with the large emphasis on clothes, fine art, such as in-game movies and acting, as well as modeling do often take place and can be found on youtube. Large emphasis is also put on social networking and finding people like you and express yourself through dancing and various other activities available on vside. Vside lets your children socialize and remain safe, lets them be free, but not free in sexual ways. Females do tend to wear skimpy clothing on here, but as the website says, 13+, and most 13 year olds have seen much worse than that. Attitude? Well the robot he's talking about is actually a trivia robot that will give you some ingame currency if you answer a question correctly? Not exactly rude hmm? I think vside is a pretty good game and definatly worth trying.

 
Strongly Disagree!
As a vSide user for almost eight months, I have not come across the actual vSide game as having an attitude problem. It is not only based around shopping, clubbing and looking cool, its based around interacting with users from across the world. A social network. Half the people i know dont even go on vSide and use it as a "place to party." You meet some of your closest friends on the internet as weird as that sounds. I dont see how vSide is labeled as hard, there is nothing hard about vside. Yes if you would like to do the secrets, then they can be difficult, but that is your decision to do it. Hence the title "secrets." Yes there is cursing and rude behavior on the profiles, but if anyone has a problem with that there is a report button. Just because its on the web browswer doesnt mean you still cant report the user for profanity..etc. Or in any case of a young adult, If parents do have a problem with it, they can easily block the site from their internet provider. The moderators control the content in the actual game, and on the profiles. However, they do focus more on the actual game. I dont blame them. Yes there is several clubs with bars, but it doesnt mean that as a user if you are in a "club" with a bar, you dont have to go up and order anything. Virtually of course. Thats your decision. If you teach your child about the safety's of online, and virtual worlds i dont see how vSide should be a problem. As for the profanity, you cant keep your child away from that no matter how hard you try to. They will come across profanity virtually and in the real world. Its a matter of life. What i got from this review is that everyone who plays this.. their parents are lacking in the parental control area. Thats not the case. Its all about trusting your children. There are alot of things in the real world that will do more damage to your child then a virtual world. Anyways, What im trying to say is, nothing in this review is closely related to how vside actually is. Its not about the profanity level, or the clubs with bars, or the cool image vSide is "spreading." For me its about interacting with people of all ages, all over the world, learning their cultures, their way of life. I believe vSide is a good expierence. Its trying to create an identity.. of yourself..your avatars are an image of who you are. Adios!

ladysuperstar00
teen, 16 years old
 
i love it

 
I disagree with this review.
vSide is one of the best virtual worlds i've came across, I was in shock when I found you rated second life higher than it. You fail to mention how amazing the good parts are. The graphics are incredible for a virtual world, the vBux are cheap, you can watch a movie with your friends in your own decorated out appartment, you can use mutli player actions and also give out your money to friends. I understand the bad points completely but almost every virtual world I have visited have this teenage nasty attitude, the virtual worlds can't get rid of that. The bots aren't mouthy , they're just letting a new user know that you can change your outfit. I rate vSide atleast a 4.5.

miku-bear
teen, 16 years old
 
:T
your review isn't exactly accurate :T i mean, there are tons of people who have attitudes and are mean. but that's how it is in real life. its probably worse in real life o.O and actually, Ive started to see some of my friends be nicer to noobs. i mean, it may just be my friends xD. but a lot of the people i see are nicer to noobs, and as long as the "noob" is nice, we usually let them into our friend group lol. i mean, you only focused on some of the bad stuff. -_- you need to focus more on some of the good stuff. and of course its not going to be for children o.o just saying. so you need to give vside a better chance and im pretty sure you would like it lol

xheartbeat
teen, 16 years old
 
Dude, I loved this site! I mean yeah, it's mostly geered towards nightclubs and partying but it's generally harmless fun. As long as you follow the guidelines about NOT giving away any personal info, I'd say it's pretty darn safe. There's not a hint of sex in the game, as far as I am concerned. The clothes are cute and pretty harmless.

tassica1
kid, 11 years old
 
:l
I've never played it, but it doesn't sound very friendly to teens below. :l

vSide_Josh
teen, 15 years old
 
This Game Is Great And This Review Sucks! Play The Game For 3 Years Like Me Now ;).
I personally think that you didn't give vSide a long enough chance. My username is vSide_Josh and I have been on vSide for almost 3 years now. Yes, there are some fowl users, but your children (AKA Me A 13 Year Old) can simply right click on the users name or avatar and hit the "Ignore" or "Report Abuse" button. If it is a serious offence than when you report them the necessary action will be taken. vSide's main focus IS NOT shopping, clubbing, and looking cool. It's main focus is to express yourself, make cool best friends (I found one of my best friends on here), and show your creative side on vSide! vSide is a place where you can show your upmost creative side and not be afraid of it... Show it, show your V Side! -vSide_Josh

Bella54
kid, 12 years old
 
i LOVE vSide
I think this game is awesome ! I have been on this game since 08 and i cant stop playing it ! I think this game should be 12 and up because its not that bad..but there is alot of cursing...

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
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OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age