Webkinz (http://www.webkinz.com)

common sense media says

Virtual world for real toys with many ads pushing more toys.


parents & educators say
  • 26% say there are positive messages

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Webkinz allows kids to "adopt" their store-bought plush pet and care for it in an online virtual world for one year. Some of the games here are casino-style "pull-a-lever" games, while others are somewhat educational. Kids play them for points to buy stuff for their pet. Ads for Webkinz features and plush toys are plastered all over, and third-party ads (which can be shut off by parents for 30 days at a time) seem to populate the site now more than ever. Cheat codes for Webkinz are available online, so parents should talk to kids about how cheating online is the same as cheating in real life.

Educational value: Teaches kids about the responsibility of pet ownership and safe, friendly online interaction with other human players. Some games are more educational, some mind numbing. An "employment office" and academy teach kids about earning money through performing jobs. There's also a newspaper to let kids know what's going on in the Webkinz world and help them learn to use media to find out what's happening in their "community." 
Positive messages: Kids learn empathy by caring for their virtual pet. And while most games are positive and sometimes educational, others like "Wheel of Wow" tend to have a gambling feel to them. But there's another under-the-radar aspect to Webkinz: cheating. Webkinz doesn't promote it, but kids know that they can find cheats on the Internet for Webkinz missions. Also, though actual products can't be purchased on the site, kids go into the W Shop and use virtual cash to buy clothes, furniture, and objects for their pets. Kids can also add other toys to their "wish lists."
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Kids have to buy a Webkinz plush pet with a code to gain access to this website. There's also a "deluxe" membership that allows kids access to extra features, which can be bought online after purchasing the plush pet. Ads for Webkinz products appear on almost every page, and third-party ads (for things like shoes and cell phones) appear on the site, too. Parents can block third-party ads for 30 days by locating the tucked-away turn-off button. All third-party ads still appear on the main login screen.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Privacy & safety: Very limited ways to chat or send messages to others. The Webkinz studio allows users to include more information than usual when creating content here, but it is not seen by anyone but that user. Useful parental controls for settings such as chat access and ad viewing -- if you can find them. You have to create a "prevention account" to limit your child's access to the level of chat recommended for kids over 10. The instructions for turning off third-party ads for 30 days at a time say to find the shut-off button under the tab "Me and My Pets" but it's actually found under a tiny little pet icon. Scroll over the unlabeled icon, and "See all your pets" pops up on the bottom left hand side of your child's user control panel.

More on Webkinz

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about the rules for playing safely in an online world.
  • Kids may be tempted to play in virtual worlds for long periods of time. Families can also talk about setting computer time limits.
  • Families can talk about the prevalence of cheating and how Webkinz secrets and cheat codes are offered freely on the Internet. Ask your kid whether they think it's OK to use cheat codes in a virtual world.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
This site is a favorite for many elementary school-age kids because of all of the colorful, fun things to do that mimic real-world responsibilities. It does promote shopping and spending -- there are plenty of ways to earn and spend KinzCash (to buy clothes and furniture for the pet's room), on- and off-line. The ads for Webkinz products and other third-party ads are all over the place, and the site doesn't make it easy for parents to find where to turn the third-party ads off. Overall, Webkinz is slightly educational and mostly fun, which adds up for lots of repeat visits. Time limits are a must.

Online interaction: Kids can participate in KinzChat, which is a controlled, pre-scripted chat that prevents kids from sharing personal information. In regular KinzChat, you can only chat with others in games, unless you know your friends' -- then you can mail letters to them, and visit their Webkinz online "house." Even in KinzChat PLUS, which is a filtered chat that parents must approve, members can report other members who aren't chatting age-appropriately.


This review was written by Dana Villamagna
 
 

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What parents & educators say

6
Based on 100 parent & educator reviews:
  • 26% say there are positive messages

Most useful reviews by all members

chesschamp
kid, 13 years old
 
Good, edcucational site, perfect for kids who want a pet but can't get one.
It's a good website, it teaches about the responsibilites of owning a real pet. There is even a place where you can answer trivia questions and learn new facts. However, there is a chat system where users can type what they want, but it has to pass the swear filter. Users do all sorts of tricks the send hate speech, ask for information, etc.

emniki422
kid, 12 years old
 
Good Website
This is a fun website. There are a lot of ads, that, with parental controls, can be blocked. You also have to purchase a stuffed animal, and enter the code online. The filters for chat are very good, because if a word is not in their dictionary, it does not go through. There are educational things to do, like take classes at the Acadamy, or do a job at the Employment Office. There are also fun things to do, like shop at the W Shop, or play at the Arcade. I would recommend Webkinz.

247Mom
parent of 11 year old
 
Webkinz is the Place to Be!
I would definitely recommend this to anyone! It's a great website for all ages- anyone can enjoy it! It's a world full of fun, and there are some educational purposes. My child loves it and for his computer time each day he plays only on Webkinz. However, it can become addicting, which isn't exactly a good thing for the kids minds. Also, every once in a while I'd buy him a Webkinz, each are about 14.00 on average. They add up! Although it's a great website, it does come with the price with money signs.

orangelm
teen, 14 years old
 
I love it! It is very safe and fun.

donotmail
teen, 13 years old
 
great and fun for kids of all ages
Amazing and perfect as well as fun for kids seven and up. The only problem is consumerism- your virtual pet will have to buy tons of items for their room with over- exaggerated sums of money. Safety is amazing and chatting is limited as well as language.

iPodfreakazoid
kid, 11 years old
 
adorable!!!
This site is PERFECT for young kids. However, if you trust your kid to type in their own message in chat,you never know what they can pull on you. most children know the basic curse words and somehow will say it online without notice. beware.

laffytaffy18
kid, 13 years old
 
Pretty Good But Not Great
I used to have a Webkinz account when I was 6 and now I don't play it anymore. There are educational games you can play. The site teaches you how to take care of a pet too. Downsides:1.You have to purchase a new Webkinz plush to keep your account online 2.The site requires a lot of reading

pandapolarbeargirl
teen, 13 years old
 
WEBKINZ IS AWESOME AND COOL!!!!!!
I love webkinz! There is a quiz corner where you can learn about different cultures and fun facts. You learn how to earn money and spend it wisely! I thought that this website is very appropriate for children!!! I love webkinz!!

RainforestGal
teen, 15 years old
 
Welcome Webkinz
I love webkinz, its cute and I love collecting the plush toys "although a little expensive" I love making a house, earning money, and getting all these neat things. The things that i do not like is how kids act in the chat rooms-which isn't intirely the websites fault. It is just people constantly date, kiss, and even "attempt" a sexual act. Webkinz doesn't allow this- that goodness. But what they lack is showing warnings that things go too far, they do that, but not often enough. The site is very respectful to its players too, which makes me feel welcome. They even have an advice place! I recomend it. But if you don't want your kids exposed to bad behavior in the chat room, there is always a kinzchat ( which has words picked out )

Sosie98
teen, 14 years old
 
This a site I really used to love when I was little. This teaches you about the importance of earning and spending money for yourself. It also teaches you about making the wrong decisions with your money and going on a buying spree (like me) :)!!! This is a great site for kids probably up to age 12. It has great safety features and awesome user content though you do have to buy a webkinz toy every year to keep playing on your account. You get gifts on your pet's birthdays and secret tokens to go to the Wish Machine. This is an awesome site!!

busy mom 2
parent of 14 year old
 
Beward of Webkinz Estore
Webkinz Estore--BEWARE!!!My children frequently purchase Webkinz and have lots of fun on their website, however, the Estore is a total disgrace. We recently saw a virtual pet, Pterodactyl, that my kids wanted to get, the cost of which was $12.50. To purchase a pet, you must first purchase points, which are non-refundable, that come in $10.00 increments. We purchased $20 worth to cover the 12.50 pet. After buying the points, and trying to purchase the pet, we found out that you must first have a Deluxe Membership, which is $15.00 for 3 months. This means that the virtual pet would cost at least $25.00. Nowhere did I see on their website an explanation of such. What a rip off and scam of young children. Ganz should be ashamed of themselves.

EeveeFizz
kid, 11 years old
 
A great website!!!
;) A great website!!!

ParamoreFan09
teen, 15 years old
 
A money trap, but fun and educational
a cute website thats fun to go on when you are bored. The one thing is the has you consistantly spending. When you purchase a webkinz, you get a year of membership. When that ends, you MUST buy another pet to be able to log in to your account. It's a bit of a gyp, actually. Although, you could always just buy a pack of trading cards or something maybe.

watermelonlover123
kid, 11 years old
 
GREAT GREAT GREAT!
You know what, i am 9 and i still love webkinz.I think it has fun games that anyone can play, including adults! It continually adds new updates to make it better and better! They even added little creatures that you can buy to be friends for your webkinz.I do not care what anybody says, webkinz is fun, safe,and easy to use.Plus, you get that from a member!

 
A complete and utter waste of time.
This site is a complete waste of time. If your kids are going to play a game, get them a real one. This game will eat your money away, because it forces you to buy more and more webkinz in order to keep you account. Don't let your kids get addicted, because it will happen very easily.

moviegirl987
kid, 11 years old
 
fun
Fun , awesome , I love it.

Just A Teenager
teen, 15 years old
 
Economics?
I went on Webkinz when I was a bit younger, and found it rather fun. Any teenager will PROBABLY (some like Webkinz) think it is lame, but littler kids love it. What I find interesting about it, though, is the fact that the "game" is centered around economics. You might find the notion laughable, but your goal (besides having fun, obviously) is to get KinzCash and make purchases with it. Playing games is comparable to working at a job. So, I'd say that it can teach little kids more about how money works. In conclusion, you obviously don't want your child (if you are a parent) doing nothing else, but this is a clean, educational website.

bkid
teen, 14 years old
 
GREAT FOR KIDS!!!
I have 58 of them myself. It does teach you responsibility, how to type, how to manage money, and they have a curricular Quiz section. Safety is not much of a problem because you can't give any phone #s, addresses, or any other personal info. They do have fake ads for stuff inside the site. However, they advertise their "Deluxe Membership" and "eStore" items, as well as for movies and other stuff that they aren't affiliated with. But... that can be turned off in the Options section.

Nicki213
kid, 12 years old
 
Great Website, Very Satisfied
This is a great website for basically anyone. I have had a very positive experience with Webkinz, it's educational, sends out very positive messages, has absolutely no safety issues, and is very entertaining. The only problem is when you do stop play Webkinz, your adorable plush toys almost useless. Overall I think this is a very good website.

Jamie and James
parent of 6 and 8 year old
 
Fun and educational, but how safe is it?
I am OK with this site. I bought my daughter a webkinz, and she likes it, even if she doesn't get on it a lot. I love all the educational things and postive messages, I just don't like Kinzchat. Jamie is not allowed to have any friends on it or ever get on Kinzchat. She is only 5, after all.

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
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