Second Life-Like Site for Kids: A Good Idea?
BBC has announced its plans for a virtual world just for kids, something akin to the popular Second Life, but without the for-adults only stuff that you would expect on SL.
A virtual world which children can inhabit and interact with is being planned by the BBC.CBBC, the channel for 7-12 year olds, said it would allow digitally literate children the access to characters and resources they had come to expect.
Users would be able to build an online presence, known as an avatar, then create and share content.
The service is supposed to highlight interactivity without the safety problems. For one, there will be no in-game finances, which could lead to gambling (and other like activities). And there will be no chatrooms, so this will lessen the likelihood of predators fishing for information about kids.
But you know what, I think predators will still find ways to get in touch with children, stalk them, and possibly do the same stuff that they do on MySpace and other social networking sites. If there’s a will, there’s a a way. All you need is the possibility for interaction between any two members of the virtual world.
On the other hand, if BBC will try to sanitize their new virtual world too much, then it might end up as just being boring. Imagine if you can only explore the online world and not be able to talk to anyone else. Then kids—having short attention spans—will tire out easily. Remember that CBBC’s primary audience is the 7 to 12 year old demographic.
I don’t know. Maybe I’m just too pessimistic. I’m even wondering if such a virtual world would be viable at all, business-wise.
What do you think?