Like the television do you just place your kids in front of the internet with access to the entire outside world and walk away? Like most inventions of modern day technology do we just chose to ignore the dangers? Or are we completely oblivious to what is going on? Up until now the only threat that the Webkinz claimed on our youth was a lack of exercise. Gone are the days of after school bike rides and street hockey, replaced by virtual pets living in a virtual world. Now with the recently announced Webkinz Clubhouse our kids are going to be susceptible to outside visitors. This new component to the website will allow kids to chat with each other on-line. The company has said that it has put in place many safeguards in regards to language and other security features for their young viewers. However, they have yet to release what exactly these safeguards entail and how they work. Are they just fooling us with a sense of false security or are they really protecting our kids from on-line predators? Think about it, anybody with access to a Webkinz can join the Clubhouse and interact with other members. From birth kids are taught the importance of not talking to strangers whether it is on the street and or over the phone. So how do we incorporate this life saving idealism within the virtual world of the Webkinz?
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Do Webkinz pose a real threat to our Kids?
Like the television do you just place your kids in front of the internet with access to the entire outside world and walk away? Like most inventions of modern day technology do we just chose to ignore the dangers? Or are we completely oblivious to what is going on? Up until now the only threat that the Webkinz claimed on our youth was a lack of exercise. Gone are the days of after school bike rides and street hockey, replaced by virtual pets living in a virtual world. Now with the recently announced Webkinz Clubhouse our kids are going to be susceptible to outside visitors. This new component to the website will allow kids to chat with each other on-line. The company has said that it has put in place many safeguards in regards to language and other security features for their young viewers. However, they have yet to release what exactly these safeguards entail and how they work. Are they just fooling us with a sense of false security or are they really protecting our kids from on-line predators? Think about it, anybody with access to a Webkinz can join the Clubhouse and interact with other members. From birth kids are taught the importance of not talking to strangers whether it is on the street and or over the phone. So how do we incorporate this life saving idealism within the virtual world of the Webkinz?
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4 comments:
The internet is a global phenomenon that has bridge the gap between what we can achieve! Yet the dangers of the internet still remain regarding certain individuals who wish to harm children and the close net family relations which would be devastating! Is what the children doing safe? When warning children of the dangers that lurk behind certain web-sites, it can be a scary thought; especially when children are curious and want adventure. Another issue of concern is whether the children are taught not to do something they shouldn't from an early age (as an example: don’t talk to strangers especially on internet chat rooms)! Also trying to explain to children what is right from wrong, without too much cotton wool to wrap the child from harm as too much can be more detrimental to a child's development (this is argued amongst specialist who disagrees with that statement)!
Society states that it’s the parents responsibility to protect there own children, yet parents respond that they cannot be there all the time to say to the child "Don't go on that site it's dangerous!" To explain the reality and dangers that some individuals poses on the internet and in web-sites! If it's too good to be true it probably is! It still remains how can we as adults can explain and teach those differences to a child of school age? It cannot be so graphic to scare the child away from the internet, and parents have to feel that whatever they (children) are doing on the computer is first of all safe and secure; how much security do we as adults/parents place on the internet to stop individuals out there who want to ruin the lives of others - full protection, some protection, or no protection at all? Are the sites that they are viewing deemed safe, even when the responsible parent has researched thoroughly? Without looking at the individual behind the fancy logos and pretty pictures!
Unfortunately it's catch 22 situation? Do we stop children from having fun or do we go back to the old fashion ways of go out side and play (both have risks for the children unlike that of years ago where children could go down the street and play without a care in the world, and the parents would know that there child will return home, most of all, safely?) The only individuals that can decide are the parents themselves; whether to take that risk; whether it's a risk worth taking?
Thank you for your contributon to the article. You have raised some thought provoking questions.
Speak to you later Brandon...
Dear tamara are you a kid?I mean if you are not why are you posting about webkinz?You have to write back as soon as you can!
-tirzabobo3
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