Age for VMK?

[heimlichfan]

What ages is VMK appropriate for?

I'm a teacher who is currently reading aloud Kingdom Keepers to my class and now they are all fired up about VMK.

Since I know very little about it, I thought I would ask questions here!


THANKS!

 

[disvaclub92]

It states on the VMK Values page, "While many of VMK's players are between the ages of 8-14, VMK is designed to be enjoyed by Guests of all ages.

Here is a link to the VMK Values page:

http://vmk.disney.go.com/vmk/en_US/help/index?name=SafetyVMKValuesPage

Alot of the details there are beneficial for new players starting.

Good Luck.

 

[Imagineer_Tech]

VMK is a virtual paradise for everyone of all ages and it's a year round vacation

 

[taz]

What ages is VMK appropriate for?

I'm a teacher who is currently reading aloud Kingdom Keepers to my class and now they are all fired up about VMK.

Since I know very little about it, I thought I would ask questions here!


THANKS!

What age do you teach?

 

[goldengourd]

Although VMK does has some things to offer just about any age, I personally believe it would be boring/frustrating for a younger child that doesn't have basic reading/typing ability. It does have all ages play it, including a large number of us adults, so does take some parent supervision for the younger set. Personally I think it is better for the late pre-teen and up ages.

 

[mikeyandscoobyx2]

Yes, in my opinion I really believe its more for ages 9 and up.

Well thats my opinion.

Basically, if you know how to use a computer your good to go. I would also suggest that they are being watched over by parents at all times. Some things/people in VMK can get pretty nasty in a mean way.

 

[heimlichfan]

What age do you teach?

4th grade, 9 and 10 year olds

 

[Vary]

Perfect. Right in the target range. They'll love it! :-D

 

[mikeyandscoobyx2]

i agree!

 

[KrazyPete]

4th grade, 9 and 10 year olds

Of course every kid is different but mine just turned 11 (5th grade) and she likes playing VMK.

The game is not exactly as it is described in the book. Some of the objects that the author describes (soda machines and green couches I think) don't exist. The proximity chat feature where conversation turns to gibberish then nothing at all as you move further away on the screen from the other players that are talking, that does not exist either. There may be some other things that differ, it's been a year since I read it.

My daughter is halfway through Peter and the Starcatchers (also by Ridley Pearson with Dave Barry). I'm constantly bugging her, "Hurry up I want to read it!"

 

[mtlhddoc2]

Dont know about the Kingdom Keepers books, but im my parental opinions, VMK is not for "tweens" - my 10 year old is not allowed to play it because of the rude, vulgar and sexualized nature that chat can often take. Taken is a big no-no too, when he gets older, and understands better, I may let him play, but for now, not a chance.

 

[KrazyPete]

Dont know about the Kingdom Keepers books, but im my parental opinions, VMK is not for "tweens" - my 10 year old is not allowed to play it because of the rude, vulgar and sexualized nature that chat can often take. Taken is a big no-no too, when he gets older, and understands better, I may let him play, but for now, not a chance.

The OP should know that VMK uses a "whitelist" of allowed words. This dictionary greatly restricts a player's ability to communicate in a "rude, vulgar and sexualized nature." Players do "Dictionary Dance" to create words that are not in the dictionary. Dictionary dancing in most often used in benign ways. What Doc describes does happen but can be reported by other players. When reports are confirmed or the behavior is otherwise discovered by VMK staff they take action against the offending player with bans from a couple of hours up to ten years.

My "parental opinion" is that Doc is overstating the problem.

 

[Dashzap]

but really he prefers DS games like zelda or wii's mario galaxy

 

[mtlhddoc2]

My "parental opinion" is that Doc is overstating the problem.

Yesterday, I left a checkers room because all of the sudden out of nowhere, a player started dictionary dancing vulgarities.

I wont play pirates at all because of the garbage chat that flies around in there and generall try to avoid public rooms altogther. I play an average of an hour a day and see this type of chat/behavior every single time I play.

If anything, I understated the problem.

 

[KrazyPete]

Yesterday, I left a checkers room because all of the sudden out of nowhere, a player started dictionary dancing vulgarities.

I wont play pirates at all because of the garbage chat that flies around in there and generall try to avoid public rooms altogther. I play an average of an hour a day and see this type of chat/behavior every single time I play.

If anything, I understated the problem.

Nuh uh!

I promise you, this thread will be locked by a mod before I let you have the last word on this.

 

[WV_Minnie]

I also teach 4th grade (9-10 year old children.)
I LOVE VMK, but don't think I would recommend it to my class.
If a child became offended by vulgar language and dictionary dancing... you better believe I would receive a telephone call from an irate parent the next morning.

Some of my students discover VMK on their own. I am more than happy to become their "buddy" and hang out with them!

So.. my opinion is NO. Unfortuantely, as a teacher, you will be held accountable if the experience turns sour.

 

[Vary]

The OP should know that VMK uses a "whitelist" of allowed words. This dictionary greatly restricts a player's ability to communicate in a "rude, vulgar and sexualized nature." Players do "Dictionary Dance" to create words that are not in the dictionary. Dictionary dancing most often used in benign ways. What Doc describes does happen but can be reported by other players. When reports are confirmed or the behavior is otherwise discovered by VMK staff they take action against the offending player with bans from a couple of hours up to ten years.

My "parental opinion" is that Doc is overstating the problem.

Absolutely. VMK takes safety very seriously. There is always some bad behavior, but it's pretty rare for anyone to get so far that they're saying things that kids just plain shouldn't see. As for 'cursing' and dictionary dancing, the limitations of the dictionary mean that nobody is going to know what the troublemaker is saying unless they already know the words they're trying to use. You might get the idea that calling someone a 'bench' is an insult, but who's going to guess what it actually means if they don't already know?

Only someone who really knows the kid can tell what they are and aren't ready to handle, but in general, so long as an adult takes the time to let them know how to recognize and handle a bad situation (when and how to report and ignore, when to just leave the room and so on) most kids shouldn't have a problem.

 

[Horse]

I LOVE VMK, but don't think I would recommend it to my class.
If a child became offended by vulgar language and dictionary dancing... you better believe I would receive a telephone call from an irate parent the next morning.

So.. my opinion is NO. Unfortuantely, as a teacher, you will be held accountable if the experience turns sour.

You are right. Within the first month of joining VMK, I saw a lewd conversation going on in one of the public areas without any dictionary dancing involved. I was absolutely shocked as to what was being said. Since then, I have seen more conversations sexual in nature, as well as some foul-mouthed dictionary dancing. In fact, it happened two nights ago where a boy came up to a friend of mine and I and twice said something pretty bad. If you as a teacher recommend the site, you or your district superintendant may receive phone calls from upset parents. It would be best to let your students find it on their own, rather than you recommend them joining.

 

[WV_Minnie]

You might get the idea that calling someone a 'bench' is an insult, but who's going to guess what it actually means if they don't already know? QUOTE]

Try every child ages 8 and up.

 

[mtlhddoc2]

Nuh uh!

I promise you, this thread will be locked by a mod before I let you have the last word on this.

ROFL!

I promise you we wont let it be locked by a mod (at least not by our doing).

But...

I am right and you are wrong, nyah nayh nayh...