See more website reviews

WoogiWorld (http://www.woogiworld.com)

common sense media says

Virtual world tries to teach but may confuse.

parents & educators say
See all 15 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this educational virtual world for elementary school kids aims to teach its young users good character traits and Internet skills, but it may confuse younger kids. The site is far from straightforward -- it requires quite a bit of reading, and kids can't access the site map from all areas. That said, the parent section has some excellent information for parents and grandparents about the Internet-centric culture in which their kids are growing up. Parents need to give approval to join the site and to chat (which is conducted using a list of pre-selected words). Kids can sign up for free, but the premium membership ($6.95/month) comes with lots more bells and whistles.

Educational value: The basic educational ideas behind the site are good, especially its focus on both positive Internet behavior for kids and parent/grandparent Web education. But the stated age range -- from 5-12 -- isn't realistic. Many kids on the younger side of that spectrum will be frustrated by the site's confusing directions and must-read instructions.
Positive messages: The site claims to be the "only children's virtual world" that's benefitting society by teaching kids good character traits and positive Internet communication skills and by discouraging "materialism, greed, and hoarding."
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: There's a list of pre-selected words for chatting: 350 are included with a free membership, 10,000+ with a premium ($6.95/month) membership.
Consumerism: Premium members get all sorts of upgrades, like being able to actually trade trading cards (free members can only collect them), and having more choices to dress up their avatars. Parents only have access to chat logs with paid memberships.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on WoogiWorld

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about why it's important for even the youngest kids to talk to -- maybe sometimes even teach -- their parents and grandparents about what they're doing on the Internet. Also, how does your family decide whether to buy a membership to a site that also has a free option? When is a premium membership "necessary"? Parents, if you pay for a premium membership so you can access chat logs, how do your kids feel about that? Explain why you made the choice to do so, and listen to your child's feelings in response.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
That's an admirable mission, and the site could be a winner someday ... if it would simplify its directions, give more audio cues for younger kids who can't read fluently, and add more content (many features across the site still say "coming soon").

But for now, the little glitches -- like long loading times, missing content, and confusing directions (for example, "You need to hold the ctrl or shift button while clicking Woogies to add buddies or report misbehavior") -- are going to confuse many kids, especially those in early elementary grades who really need to learn the messages this site wants to teach. Unfortunately, many kids are more likely to choose a site that focuses more on playability and less on lessons.

This review was written by Dana Villamagna
 
 

Review It

 

Review WoogiWorld

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
 

Most useful reviews by all members

koolkidnamednahban
kid, 10 years old
7
 
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (20) | had useful details (19) | read my mind (19)
fantasy_faerie
teen, 17 years old
6
 
Fun and educational game for children
CONCERNS Violence: There is no violence in the game. Violent talk is impossible due to Woogi World's limited chat. Sex: Sexual talk is impossible due to Woogi World's limited chat. Language: Swearing cannot happen in Woogi World due to limited chat. Consumerism: Players may buy a paid membership to unlock certain features of Woogi World. Players may also sign up for the "Music Club" or "Reading Club". Drinking/Drugs/Smoking: Not an issue. HIGHLIGHTS Educational: Woogi World teaches players about cyber safety. Woogi World is targeted at children. Safety: Since the players of Woogi World are young and not interested in hacking Woogi World or the players, Woogi World is pretty secure. User Content: Not much.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (19) | had useful details (20) | read my mind (18)
MissAnnieBananie
teen, 13 years old
6
 
Great Game! Safe, fun, educational!
WoogiWorld is a wonderful game! It teaches kids internet safety, health, and has games that help with kid's education. It's safer than other kid websites. I would recommend it to Elementary kids, and some kids in Middle School (Junior High) too.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (20) | had useful details (18) | read my mind (19)
babbygirl97
teen, 18 years old
17
 
i love it
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (19) | had useful details (20) | read my mind (17)
BRONCOBOY200
kid, 12 years old
4
 
GOOD SITE FOR INTERNET SAFETY
it is a good site to let kids play on to learn intenet safety and fun too.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (17) | had useful details (17) | read my mind (19)
beastboy
kid, 10 years old
 
Always play
I am the greatest game player ever
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (17) | had useful details (18) | read my mind (17)
bookworm_jz
kid, 13 years old
2
 
Great Game
Just for the sake of this review, I have signed up. I have to tell you, it is great!
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (17) | had useful details (17) | read my mind (18)
shalini2000
kid, 11 years old
10
 
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (18) | had useful details (16) | read my mind (17)
ISHMIAL911
parent of 3 , 3 , 3 , 5 , and 7 , 8 year old
2
 
CASTLES HORSES AND KNIGHTS
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (16) | had useful details (17) | read my mind (18)
giggle
kid, 10 years old
8
 
love it!!!!!!
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (18) | had useful details (17) | read my mind (15)
komedygirl
kid, 10 years old
2
 
No no no no no no no no.
Been on it before and its bad. talks about threatning and hey im 20 five years old, cyberbullying and virtual girlfriends and boyrfriends online.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (13) | had useful details (19) | read my mind (16)
ybondareva1
kid, 12 years old
12
 
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (14) | had useful details (17) | read my mind (16)
carolyn499
kid, 12 years old
2
 
carolyn magic
vbgfftvbr
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (18) | had useful details (14) | read my mind (15)
lb soccer cutie
parent of 10 year old
9
 
kelly
i think that it will be good for my kids
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (13) | had useful details (15) | read my mind (16)
funhead
kid, 8 years old
2
 
good
i love this kind of rating on woogi world and it will get even better if i ws whp
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (14) | had useful details (14) | read my mind (13)

More reviews ...

An independent voice for families
Age-appropriate reviews
Advice on the big issues
 

vote now

Will you visit WoogiWorld?

Absolutely
Maybe
No way

Already visited it? What do you think?

I recommend it
It's a pass
 

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

Browse more websites
About our rating system
ON: Content is 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
Our child development rating guidelines