Mokitown.net

Traffic safety virtual world has filtered chat.

Entertainment Value: Medium Graphics: Moving avatars Playability: Easy Reading Level: Light Website: Mokitown.net

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this traffic safety-focused virtual world allows kids to chat with each other using either pre-determined responses or through open channels, if they use the points they've earned on the site to purchase a "cell phone." The open chat is partially monitored and stays on topic and appropriate for tweens. Answering quizzes correctly and playing games wins mobility points, which can buy stuff for your avatar. There are no ads on the site, but it is sponsored by DaimlerChrysler.

Families can talk about chat etiquette, Internet safety, and virtual worlds. What's the best way to approach a new person online? Why would someone be mean to someone he or she never met? What can you say or do if another avatar (or real-life person, for that matter) is mean to you? Why is using words a good way to deal with a conflict? What social behaviors is a virtual world teaching? How would you make friends offline?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Erin Brereton

Learning about traffic and road safety indoors -- away from any actual roads -- may seem a bit backward, but MOKITOWN.NET was designed to teach kids safety tips before they have to use them outside. At first glance, the site may look like zany cartoon fun, but it has a serious traffic safety message. The site encourages kids to be alert and aware at all times, which is reinforced through games, quizzes, and scenarios. Kids create and name an online moki (short for "mobile kids") that, as it treks around Mokitown, interacts with people and street crossings. Users learn to recognize -- and avoid -- dangers involving cars, bikes, pedestrians, and more. A robot named Benedikt sometimes appears to ask geography and traffic questions. Answer correctly and you win mobility points, which can buy stuff for your avatar. Answer incorrectly and you lose points. Playing the site's traffic-centric games, set in the town's different neighborhoods, also scores points. The games are some of the site's most fun features, and also, its biggest benefit -- after all, if kids make the wrong traffic safety choices during a game, it's better than them making a wrong guess at a real-life intersection.

For other somewhat safe virtual worlds that tweens can learn in, check out WebbliWorld.com and Millsberry.com.

Reviewed: 01/10/2008

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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content The open chat is partially monitored and stays on topic and appropriate for tweens.
Violence
Language The open chat is partially monitored and stays on topic and appropriate for tweens.
Message
	Social Behavior With any virtual world, kids can be ignored -- which can be tough for sensitive kids to understand and accept. Problems aren't handled the same way as they are in the real world.
	Commercialism Answering quizzes correctly and playing games wins mobility points, which can buy clothing, hairstyles, and other treats for your avatar. There are no ads on the site, but it is sponsored by DaimlerChrysler.
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco
	Educational Value Kids learn all about traffic safety through games and by roaming around. How do you safely cross the road? How can you make sure motorists see you? What side of the street is safest to ride your bike on?