OT--Club Penguin for kids?

[Hunnybee]

Hi!

I know this is non-Disney, but I figured this would be the best board to ask this on. Can anyone tell me anything about Club Penguin? Is it safe? Any time I see "buddies" and "chat" -- I get a little nervous. My son is 7 1/2 and found out about this from someone at school. We signed him up -- but already somebody wants to be his "buddy". I read through all the info. for parents and rules/regs. But, I thought I'd find out from other parents what it's really all about. Is it a safe one? Thanks for any info.!

 

[maxtomsmom]

It's interesting, but I heard about this site about a year ago. Someone mentioned it to my son and he wants to try it. My DH was going to check it out. I heard that kids can get addicted to it. DS is about to turn 6 and he's not allowed to play video games like Xbox (at a friend's house is a different story). He can use the computer and go into folder where there are approved sites, so I'm curious to see what others have to say.

 

[checkwriter]

Club Penguin is a MMORP game (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game) for kids. Each kid takes on the persona of a penguin, and interacts with other penguin-kids in an artificial world. It's moderated -- my oldest boy and his cousin joked about getting 'banned' from club penguin for anti-social activity -- and so it's a bit safer than an unmoderated forum.

It can get addictive -- kind of like the disboards -- but if you cut your kids off they'll stay off. Our kids' interest in it seems to ebb and flow. Right now it's doing whichever of those two means "not so interested."

In terms of the in-game experience, it's benign and can be a lot of fun. It's specifically tailored for younger kids, so the only possible inappropriate behavior comes from other penguins. No shoot-em-up style games here.

 

[Keara'sMom]

My dd10 enjoys Club Penguin, as do her friends. If we didn't limit computer time, she'd likely spend lots of time on that site, although right now she seems to prefer Webkinz. The only problem I have with Club Penguin is that it seems that lots of the talk these days is about "would you be my girlfriend/boyfriend" and "do you want to go out with me?" Not in the stalking, scary way, as the kids are saying these things as their penguins, but it makes me a little uncomfortable. I don't fear predators on that site, but I don't really like the content of the conversations at this point!

 

[GJM]

My DS 7 loves this site and it really does to seem OK. He isn't into the chatting. He likes to get points by playing the games. You can go on the website for free and do certain things, but you can also pay $5.95 a month and then he gets to buy stuff with his points and fill his igloo with furniture and other stuff or buy clothes.

In the begining he loved it, now he only goes on sometimes. He can also be a secret agent at times!

It really is a cute website -

 

[Ellester]

My dd9 and dd5 both have penguins. My dd9 pays the $5.95 fee out of her allowance, that membership allows her to have an upgraded igloo with maple flooring and stereo system! My dd5 just goes to the servers that only allow premade messages (hi, happy, be my buddy, sad, etc.). My dh and I are also very careful about what our kids can do online and we decided that Club Penguin seems pretty harmless. We do limit their time and the computer is out in a common area. I think it has actually helped my dd9's math, spelling, and typing skills. She is forever figuring out how many more coins she needs to but a pirate outfit/couch/puffle for her penguin.

 

[Hunnybee]

Thanks so much for all of your responses. My DS was only on for about 3 minutes and someone asked if he wanted to be their "buddy". What does that involve? I set him up to have the "ultimate safe chat". But I'm not so sure about this buddy thing ...

What's that all about?

 

['Countingmom]

I have heard Club Penquin described and it sounds similar to Webkinz. I've had a couple of parents tell me they thought the games were more inclined to be educational and skill building on webkinz. My 9yo has always played educational computer software and I was nervous about internet anything. I spent an hour letting her showing me all about Webkinz. I'm hooked now too and have my own signon (because we both wanted to play)

We can actually play games against each other or her cousins out of state (plus now my sis-in-law is hooked too).

Our experience has been very positive. My co-workers have been postive about Club Penquin for their kids too...

 

[Hunnybee]

Can anyone tell me what it involves to be a "buddy" on the site?

Thanks!

 

[Kona*Queen]

My DD is 10 and goes on there as often as we allow. In safe mode, you can only send set messages like 'would you like to play astro barrier' etc, you can't type anything you like.

Being a buddy means they can play against each other in the games, have a party which involves their penguins dancing together etc.

 

[bookmama]

both my son and nephew are members. they are very safe and closely monitored. if anyone says anything inappropriate they are immediately blocked from the website. also other members can report what they feel is inappropriate

 

[Ellester]

Can anyone tell me what it involves to be a "buddy" on the site?

Thanks!

According to my dd9, accepting another penguin as your buddy means that you can find out if they are logged on and if they are, where they are in penguinland. You can also visit their igloo and they can visit yours, which you can't do otherwise unless their igloo is "open to the public". In ultimate safe chat, I don't think you have anything to worry about. You can have 100 buddies at a time. My dd9 drops and adds buddies quite often.

 

[Keara'sMom]

I agree with everyone else's responses...the buddy thing is nothing to worry about but simply a fun way to have "friends." Also, I'd stick to ultimate safe chat--I'm the one who mentioned all of the conversations relating to boyfriend/girlfriend, and that really can't happen in the safe chat areas.

 

[pooksma]

DS has a Webkinz and really likes it on there. He also checked out Club Penguin. We didn't let him join but he can still go in and play some games. I really like Webkinz but like others have mentioned, he has to have a time limit. I laso like the fact that any "chat" is from pre selected sentences.

 

[Hunnybee]

Thanks so much! It's always so nice to be able to get responses from so many parents about things!!!!

 

[Jennifer Hill]

Club Penguin is one of my favorite game, if you are a fan of club penguin I suggest you guys play some similar games which are more interesting, you can check them here