Virtual Worlds

What exactly IS a virtual world?  

According to Wikipedia : A virtual world is a genre of  online community that often takes the form of a computer-based simulated environment, through which users can interact with one another and use and create objects. Virtual worlds are intended for its users to inhabit and interact, and the term today has become largely synonymous with interactive 3D virtual environments, where the users take the form of avatars visible to others graphically.

Huh?

Ok, so the official definition sounds a bit scary! But really, a virtual world is simply a place that is created online, where people can create a character for themselves to wander around and interact with other characters. When you create a character to represent yourself online it is called an 'avatar'. How characters - or avatars - move about, and how they interact with the environment and other characters will be different depending on the virtual world. Not so very different than the hat and the car moving around the Monopoly board buying up properties, paying rent to one another, and collecting $200.00.  Many adult virtual worlds are pretty realistic!

Are virtual worlds safe places for kids?

That depends! Clearly, the adult sites are not appropriate for children. But virtual worlds designed for children can be fun, and often educational places for children online. Be careful with worlds where avatars are allowed to 'chat' openly with one another, as this allows strangers to interact with your children. As with any game (online or otherwise) parental supervision and screening is required to ensure that it meets YOUR standards for fair play, educational value, engagement, non-violence, and above all ... fun!