Close on the heels of her report that a "boomlet" of kids' virtual worlds was in the works, CNET's Stefanie Olsen blogs about toy company Playhut's two new online playgrounds, one for girls 6+, one for boys. Like ClubPenguin, it appears, "the free sites enable members to play games, dress up virtual characters and chat with friends - once parents send a permission slip via e-mail to the site." … [Read more...] about New virtual worlds for kids 6+
virtual worlds
Kids’ virtual worlds hot
There's a mini boom of kids' virtual world afoot, CNET reports, probably fueled the success of Webkinz and Neopets and Disney's acquisition of ClubPenguin. One reason: "more kids are flocking to imaginative, character-driven environments. An expected 53% of children on the Web will belong to a virtual world within four years, more than doubling the current population of 8.2 million members," … [Read more...] about Kids’ virtual worlds hot
Alleged illegal plans in virtual world
It’s probably a one-in-a-million case, but it does represent a risk to youth in virtual worlds and other online game settings where people of all ages play. A 31-year-old Australian woman faces child abduction charges in North Carolina “after trying to bring her 17-year-old World of Warcraft boyfriend back to Oz,” TheRegister.com reports. She was arrested as she stepped off a train in Rocky Mount, … [Read more...] about Alleged illegal plans in virtual world
Real charity in virtual world
The virtual world of Second Life has a population of about 7 million (one-third Americans), and the populace is about to be exposed to a discussion about philanthropy. The MacArthur Foundation has given the Center on Public Diplomacy of the University of Southern California $550,000 to stage events in Second Life, including discussions of how foundations can address issues like migration and … [Read more...] about Real charity in virtual world
Job interviews in Second Life?!
Yes. Business suit not necessary, just send your avatar. The Wall Street Journal reports that a big recruitment-advertising firm hosted a job fair in the Second Life virtual world “with employers such as Hewlett-Packard Co., Microsoft Corp., Verizon Communications Inc. and Sdexho Alliance SA” and there’ll be another one in August. it’s now possible to meet with recruiters without actually showing … [Read more...] about Job interviews in Second Life?!