WebbliWorld.com

Educational focus with very safe chat.

Entertainment Value: High Graphics: Modern and fun Playability: Easy to medium Reading Level: Medium Website: http://www.webbliworld.com

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this site is a good first start for young kids looking for a social network site: Joining is free, kids choose a screen name to protect their identity, chatting is done by choosing pre-written comments, and all content added to the site is moderated. And if they continue to carefully choose their sponsors (Puffin Books and World Wildlife Fund were the first two), this site will be a star at managing commercialism wisely. Kids can learn a bunch here by browsing the collection of educational links. One game -- involving a poacher with a gun; if the poacher gets the wildlife a gunshot is heard -- is a downloadable .zip/.sit file, though most are Flash based. Products are available to buy at the Puffin Books link

Families can talk about what to do if kids come across downloadable files. Is it OK to download files to your home computer? When? What types of downloadable files should kids be aware of and not click on? What should they do if something appears to be downloading automatically?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Dana Cotter

Step into WEBBLIWORLD.COM for safe chatting and entertaining games. When joining, kids build and name their own wacky, futuristic Webbli (avatar), add to their Webblistacks (a list of their favorite things), and collect Webbles (the site's currency) along the way. Then let the chatting begin. Kids can visit other Webblistacks and choose prescripted comments to interact with others. They can catch a quick animated short about conservation or choose one of many games. Most games are Flash based and arcade-like; one needed to be downloaded as a .zip/.sit file. WebbliWorld.com is chock-full of links to cool educational sites with all kind of things earth friendly, gross, how to, and just for kids to discover. A highlight: seeing your Webbli show up as the latest to review different sections of the site.

For other safe virtual worlds for tweens, check out Millsberry.com and Webkinz.com.

Reviewed: 08/31/2007

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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content
Violence One game introduces a poacher with a gun; the game does not involve shooting, but if the poacher gets the wildlife a gunshot is heard.
Language
Message
	Social Behavior Kids can choose prescripted comments to chat with other Webblis. Comments are positive and friendly.
	Commercialism Puffin Books and the World Wildlife Fund are sponsors of this site and their links can be found throughout. Products are available at the Puffin Books link. Kids collect Webbles (WebbliWorld currency, but they're not used to buy stuff). No pop-ups or banner ads here.
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco
	Educational Value Links to other educational sites are provided with descriptions of what kids can find. Topics can include: gardening, wildlife, travel, science, sports.