ruinscape?

[flying_babyb]

Ok Im a clueless teacher. I work at our summer program (aka summer daycare for school agers) and one of my students was playing this today, he told me the moring teahcer lets him but im not so sure. What is it? Is it something a 3rd grader should be playing?

 

[georgina]

My kids have played runescape, if that is what you are referring to, but they were older than 3rd grade. It is an online role-playing game, played with people in other parts of the world as well, and the kids do interact with other players. It is moderated, but I would not want to be responsible for other people's kids playing it. My DD was playing with someone from Wales once, and I was cautioning her not to give out any personal information to strangers on the internet.

 

[flying_babyb]

Thank you! thats what I was wondering about. No more runescape in my room, too much to worry about. I had no clue what it was or how to spell it.

 

[Cindy B]

Runescape has been around for at least four years. My son was big into in back in the 4th-5th grade (which seems to be prime 'age' for it) and he is now going to be a high school freshman.

Back in the day, runescape did not have an age restriction and I've been told now it has a 13 and up sign up policy.

It's been around forever. If you are going to be with school age kids you should be familiar with other things such as heyxd, channel based websites (the n's is pretty popular) and of course the youtube's and other video based sites and such like that. King.com and addictinggames.com is also pretty popular.

There's another one like runescape but all it is guns shooting in team matches.. I'd know the screen shots if I saw it, but my son tried that one too back in the day and I vetoed that one RIGHT away!

 

[flying_babyb]

Im gonna take the easy way out and say NO INTERNET GAMES, other than webkinz. Im waiting to see what the moring teacher tells me about wether or not she lets they play. If she dosent, the kids loosing five bucks (play money for winning prizes) for lying.

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

You could also allow Starfall and Funschool and PBSkids and a handful of others.

I think having a short list of approved websites is far easier than trying to decide what is and isn't okay on a site-by-site basis.

 

[flying_babyb]

my kids told me starfall is UNCOOL and Pbs Sucks (yes they lost a dollar each for that). Personally I wish they would just play the stupid computer games.

 

[KiminChicago]

My son and I both play runescape. Although you play with players of many different ages, there are filters in place, for example, I tried to say the words "middle school" once when I was talking to a friend and they were starred out. There is actually an area in Runescape that teaches internet safety.

 

[flying_babyb]

how much infromation can one give out to others on runescape? Im just wondering. I mean can someone give out there name and address or no? I guess this child must play at home since he "logged in". Is there alot of violence in the games? I know he was playing lava something and it didnt look so bad.

 

[Val]

My DS13 plays, and has even become a junior moderator. The amount of information you can give out is somewhat minimized, but a parent should be watchful. You can 'give' items away, and sometimes this involves sharing passwords- and a child can learn a great lesson in what happens when you share passwords and your "friend" steals your 'stuff' (items like you earn in Webkinz or Club Penguin). The moderators don't feel too sorry for you, either! (been there/done that- he learned his lesson well).

I think it is okay to play at home, if a parent keeps a watchful eye. I am not sure I would want to be the teacher and have to be the "watcher"- it seems that playtime/downtime/computer time could be a little better spent in a school environment (even IF the games are "lame"- heck, according to DS13 most of school except for PE and sports is lame- doesn't mean he can't do his homework and be on honor roll!).

Runescape is a junior version of World of Warcraft or similar role playing games. My son does get a little addicted, so I have to limit playing time. We haven't had any major problems/contacts other than the misused password (and he only made that mistake ONCE!).

Good luck! It is so hard to keep up with all these games. Makes me almost miss those terrible twos/toddler years!

 

[KiminChicago]

I'm trying to remember, but I think the sharing of personal information is highly discouraged -- I can't remember how strict the filters are, but most players know the rules on personal information. There are certain worlds where the players are limited to a quick chat menu -- similar to the quick chat menu on Toontown.

As far as violence -- yes, you do get to fight and kill monsters, but there isn't any blood or gore. Unless you are on a player vs. player world, you aren't allowed to attack other players, you can only attack computer generated opponents. Personally, I don't fight unless it's part of a quest or I'm trying to level up my combat skills to do another quest. There are lots of skills to level up, including magic, prayer, fishing, cooking and mining, so it's not all fighting.

 

[flying_babyb]

were basically a supervised play center LOL. We dont really "teach" the kids anything, were just there to let them play (and hopefully learn). I dont think Im gonna let them play, I cant watch the computer for the whole 20 minutes the kids are alowed to play. I have to wacth the other 9. Thanks for letting me know about this. Is there any good sites that have "BOY" games that are approprate? I have a 3rd grade student (boy) who thinks webkinz is lame so im at a loss (then again he's good at enteraining himself).

 

[eduk8r26]

Starfall is great for K and 1st grades. It teaches letter names and sounds and simple reading. Funbrain has some good educational games.

 

[flying_babyb]

Well, I asked the other teacher and the childs parents. Apparently the kids parent is a computer programer and lets the kids play runescope at home, and the other teacher lets the kid play at school so Im allowing it but only because the parents signed a waiver (who knew we even had them!)