Safe for kids?

[Jennasmomma]

Is VMK safe for kids? My DD is 12. She loves the computer and wants more websites to play on. I monitor her computer useage at ALL times. I can see her computer from the living room couch.


Is it ok to let her play on it? If not, do you know of any other kid friendly websites? She doesnt want to chat on it. She knows she's not allowed to chat with strangers. She just wants to have fun on the computer.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Roller Coaster Gal]

It is safe for kids but there is chat basically required. But the good news is...............there is limited word usage like you can't say numbers, names, state, country, etc. or u will be banned. i know that isn't a lot but my fingers hurt and i must go to sleep. Hope she will get on!

PS: My sister plays it and she is 6

 

[rosesredrosered]

I'd say that she would be fine. The only part I'm worried about is when you mentioned - talking with strangers -. Yes, the game does involve a lot of talking with people you don't know, if you want to make friends. Of course, she could always just play the mini games or walk around, but having friends on VMK is a huge part of the experience.

Another thing is the taken/baby issue. A lot of newer players "go out" with each other on VMK. I definitely do not agree with it and never took part in it, and I'm sure your daughter wouldn't if you told her not to. As far as the "baby" issue, some people have "families" and "babies" with each other. The babies are actually players that pretend to be babies.

I know, it seems kind of shocking at first, but as long as your daughter doesn't participate in the taken/baby stuff, I'd say she would be fine.

Best regards,
rosesredrosered

 

[piratesLifeYoho]

id say a 12 year old is pretty safe on vmk. if you have read some of the old posts you can see some people's experiences with inappropriate talk, over all safe guards like the "ignore button" help with a lot of that (it blocks further talk from a person). because the ignore button is not available in the Pirates mini game, id suggest her to avoid that unless playing with parent approved friends. when playing vmk in advanced mode you can choose to enter empty rooms with no other players, but after you are in other players can enter. you can create your own rooms and have lots of fun decorating them. the best part about guest rooms is that the owner can choose who to let in (ie. people with tickets, friends only, owner only). in my completely bias opinion vmk is the best game out there, especially because it is free! i hope this helps you. good luck

 

[Grumpy_Disney_Dad]

As the dad of a 10 yr old daughter, I would say that with some ground rules and supervision, your daughter will be just fine. I also watch my daughter as she plays and i do not allow her to trade or add friends unless I am right beside her.

As far as other game sites, my daughter enjoys Club Penguin (free) and the webkinz site (i think you have to purchase a webkinz stuffed animal to create a character)

Hope this helps,

Grumpy

 

[Jennasmomma]

Thank you everyone for your help. I think I'll let her do this. I'm always right near her when she's on the computer anyway.

 

[Lovela]

Do let her play. It's really safe. Ask her to ignore the "Boy and Girls room" and other stuff that violates the rules of VMK. Stay Safe and happy. My 4 year old and 10 year old brother and sister plays VMK. I am 13 and I monitor them. I'm a responsible kid.

 

[mtlhddoc2]

I dont know if this will help you at all, but I do not, under any circumstances, allow my 10 year old to play VMK. And it is not like I am an overprotective father either, I am just aghast at the behavior of these "children" on this so-called Disney game. He plays Toontown and I am very happy with it.

 

[aensming]

I have a 12 year old that plays VMK but I do monitor what he is doing and seeing at all times. My 6 year old plays on my character only in my rooms that are locked to outsiders. She has fun fixing up the rooms and planning her "parties".

My 6 year old also loves the Webkinz site. You have to buy a stuffed animal (about $10-15) to get a year on the site. It is very safe - all prearranged words and type. There is a Clubhouse Plus part where more chat can be used but the kids have to have parent permission to access it. We didn't give that permission but there are plenty of things to keep her busy without it.

 

[Berry Princess]

Since you are right there I don't see the harm. Go over the rules of the game together and make sure understands what the VMK values are. If you are worried about some of the things some have mentioned tell her to use the advance mode and she can go into rooms alot of times where no one is there and it is a way to avoid the junk when you are trying to get your credits for the day. Obviously if she plays Pirates or Haunted Mansion she will be interacting wtih others but you can see what is going on. Warning with that game though is there are some that don't act nice cause they don't know how to lose or win gracefully. But Fireworks and Jungle Cruise are done alone. I think she is old enough to be responsible and understand the rule of the game so don't see the harm. Just let her know if she is in a room where there seems to be a chat going on she thinks is wrong to leave. And if she goes in guest rooms to see what the room description is. There are some really nice guest rooms out there were she can do quests and such. I would keep trades off with her so she can't be bothered with those requests.

My 6 year old also loves the Webkinz site. You have to buy a stuffed animal (about $10-15) to get a year on the site. It is very safe - all prearranged words and type. There is a Clubhouse Plus part where more chat can be used but the kids have to have parent permission to access it. We didn't give that permission but there are plenty of things to keep her busy without it.

Minus the part about having to buy a stuffed animal...the chat part is what we liked about Toontown. It is set up the same way. Having to have permission to use the other chat instead of the speed chat. Which there is no need to use it. The speed chat gives enough of options to get through the game.

 

[4fosterkids]

My 8 year old daughter plays but only when I'm playing too. We do quests and games together. Once in a while she'll ask to go on and get her credits. I let her if I'm nearby. She reads what others write and sometimes asks questions about what they are talking about. I had to tell her to ignore the taken, baby, doctor trash that happens and she gets bummed when she wears something she loves but gets inundated with trade requests. She loves to shop, change outfits, rearrange furniture and rooms and play mansion. My son likes to play some of the games, but due to disabilities, is unable to read. This is one of those few times it comes in handy....lol!
They also love the webkinz site, some games on pogo, and DD loves the barbie and pollypocket websites.
good luck and good for you for being concerned. I wish more parents were!

 

[Maleficent2]

since this thread has moved away from VMK and on to other sites I am moving it to the VMK CB.

 

[mikeyandscoobyx2]

VMK.. there are some bad and good sides to it.

But overall, its a Really fun and good game, ( if your interested in disney that is. )

There is really no age limit to who ever can play.

Thats about all i can tell you.

But, if you decide to not let her play, i play on another website called : neopets.com

You can make a virtual pet, care for it, make a home, do quests, earn neopoints ( money ), Talk to other people, ( depends on the age you put in ).

And play lots and LOTS of games.

if you do decide to let her play, she can search me sometime on there. My account name is: presidentey

 

[FlyingPegasus]

I would recomend webkinz as being safe for kids. Just don't give them access to the clubhouse chat. Let them use the preselected phrases for chat. I myself have gotten quite a few adults as well as kids hooked on webkinz.

--wonders if she could trade webkinz codes for inferno--

Neopets is also a fun place to play.

The Disney Fairys website is pretty cool to.

As far as vmk goes, I know it was made for kids, but sometimes the kids are so mean it makes a grown woman cry. However I have made lots of wonderful friends playing vmk, and the good parts far out weigh the bad. There are a lot of wonderful people who play the game.

Just remember to have her use advanced mode and go into empty lobbys for the daily credits, keep an eye on her, and she should be fine.

Fly

 

[Alionette]

I would recomend webkinz as being safe for kids. Just don't give them access to the clubhouse chat. Let them use the preselected phrases for chat. I myself have gotten quite a few adults as well as kids hooked on webkinz.

--wonders if she could trade webkinz codes for inferno--

Neopets is also a fun place to play.

The Disney Fairys website is pretty cool to.

As far as vmk goes, I know it was made for kids, but sometimes the kids are so mean it makes a grown woman cry. However I have made lots of wonderful friends playing vmk, and the good parts far out weigh the bad. There are a lot of wonderful people who play the game.

Just remember to have her use advanced mode and go into empty lobbys for the daily credits, keep an eye on her, and she should be fine.

Fly

I, personally, Am a 12 year old. I totally agree. It was made for kids, but there are some people that just plain do not know how to act.

I would let your daughter have friends, if she wanted to. I have made many great friends- escpecially because of DIS. VMK not only is a place to get away, but a place where I can look for support from my friends if I'm having problems. Still being in school, and having to worry about grades (although I'm a straight A student- it isn't always easy to be expected to be on high honor roll every quarter!). Just absolutely don't let her be involved in taken, bay be etc etc. It's a great game, but there are always those few people that want to ruin other's fun.

Just my 2 cents

Lion

 

[SweetJaydGrl]

I think as long as your monitoring her computer then she'll be fine. Remember though that its pretty easy to find a vmk user off vmk if they are a memeber of Dis or other vmk related sites. These sites allow you to talk freely and give anyone information about yourself.