Webkinz

 Review

Common Sense Media says

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

  • 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."
  • Not applicable.
  • Not applicable.
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  • 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.
  • 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.

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.


Explore, discuss, enjoy

  • 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.


This review of Webkinz was written by
Kid, 11 years old
February 22, 2011
 
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.
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Kid, 10 years old
December 5, 2009
 
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.
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Parent of 11 year old
April 2, 2011
 
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.
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Kid, 12 years old
February 11, 2011
 
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.
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Teen, 13 years old
March 13, 2010
 
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 )
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Kid, 12 years old
April 7, 2010
 
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!!
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Parent of 13 year old
August 10, 2009
 
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.

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Kid, 12 years old
March 25, 2010
 
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!!
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Kid, 10 years old
March 30, 2010
 
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.

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Kid, 12 years old
March 2, 2010
 
I love it! It is very safe and fun.
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This review of Webkinz was written by

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