Panfu

Website review by Dana Anderson, Common Sense Media
Panfu Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 8+

Fluffy virtual world pushes membership buy.

http://www.panfu.com
Rate website

Parents say

age 8+

Based on 4 reviews

Kids say

age 10+

Based on 20 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this website.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that PANFU, not to be confused with the very similar looking Pandanda, is yet another virtual world for kids that is mostly eye-candy. It does include some fun elements, most of which require paying for the Gold Panda membership ($9.90/mo or $7.90/mo for three months) to access. Site creators list intended ages as four to 14 and six to 14, depending upon where you look on the site. Either way, if your child can't read, this site will be frustrating and older kids might find the site a bit lackluster. Chatting is mostly safe with pre-scripted and filtered chat, though exchanges tend to be superficial.

Community Reviews

MyNameIsBeaver
MyNameIsBeaver Adult
April 20, 2013
age 8+

So coy.

This copies all sorts of games like Moshi Monsters (ice cream game and more), Pixie Hollow (fly to option) and Club Penguin (membership options and limits) My daughter thinks it's kinda fun, but CSM is right, they push membership too much, so she feels limited, there is some bullying, dating (girls come to my treehouse) There is VIP vs NON-VIP, and people can cast spells on pandas just to be mean. Sometimes they close chat just when she wants to chat (too limited folks!) and there can't be a room without something for membership. People can view her money and age which is kinda privacy-issued. 2 stars because its cute, she loves playing mini-games, but very limited and a copy.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much consumerism
Mellie Manner
Mellie Manner Adult
June 25, 2012
age 7+

Panfu Review.

When I went on Panfu like a year ago, I don;t really remember any boyfriend + girlfriend stuff. I played the missions [took me a week ._.] and its really useless because without membership you don't do much. The missions are aweful. It says go to Ella to find out about Jacob, so I go to Ella and she says Come back tomorrow for information about Jacob. Also you can get away sometimes around filter. Like Boo bies. Also swearing is sorta an issue. I do not know as I forgot. But i loved playing doctors at the hospital. I have no issues with Panfu but it wouldn't let me in on my account for NO reason and I still have memebership on there but I can't access it. I sent an email to Panfu and they NEVER replied. Cheap. If your really bored just play Panfu but check wiht your parents if your under 7.

This title has:

Great messages
Too much swearing
Too much consumerism
See all 4 parent reviews

Is It Any Good?

The cute pandas on their missions in this generally safe virtual world might capture the attention of kids who are good readers and enjoy online virtual world play. A nice touch is the welcome crew and the various characters (not actual players) who visit you throughout your time on the site to explain how to play in this world. Pandas can chat, dress up, and play several minigames, like a balloon-popping game with some physics concepts. Panfu is heavily promoted with TV ads on children's networks, but it may not live up to the expectations of some younger viewers who beg their parents to visit the site, especially those who cannot read well. Buying a Gold Panda membership is heavily promoted here on almost every area of this game. Ads for many products appear on the free version.

Online interaction: Most of the online interaction observed here is typical of other kids' virtual world sites. "What are you doing?" "Do you want to stay here?" "Are you mad at me?" "I want a boyfriend." Younger kids may have a hard time understanding when a chat is rejected.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how seeing a commercial on TV or on a website makes it seem like you just have to have whatever it is they're selling to you. Read Common Sense Media's Selling to Kids parent tips.

  • Talk about virtual world "friends." What does it really mean to be a friend? What is meaningful chat? Is it appropriate to ask someone on a virtual world to be your girlfriend or boyfriend? Read Common Sense Media's Online Worlds for Young Kids primer.

Website Details

  • Genre: Virtual Worlds
  • Pricing structure: Free
  • Last updated: November 5, 2015

Our Editors Recommend

  • Webkinz Poster Image

    Webkinz

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

    age 8+

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