Virtual_Worlds

Adults cannot get into Club Penguin, or Webkinz, except with special permission that can be granted to parents and teachers on a limited basis. However, there is a great deal of information on these sites that should help one get a pretty good idea of what the virtual world is like. Neither site is free.
 * __For Children__ ** :

Club Penguin, [|http://www.clubpenguin.com] - Solomon, p. 262 (Available in China)

Jumpstart, [|http://www.jumpstart.com] - Some of Jumpstart is online and some are computer based programs. Check to see what sorts of protections are built in for child safety on the internet. (Available in China)

Poptropica, [] - A different approach to child safety.

Pora Ora, [|http://www.poraora.com]

Secret Builders, []- This site allows parents and students to keep in contact with the child playing. (Available in China)

Webkinz, [|http://webkinz.com] - Solomon, p. 263

Whyville, [] - Whyville has an interesting set of tools to help participants monitor appropriate involvement. Be sure to read safety section, privacy, etc. Whyville is FREE. (Available in China)

__ **For Teens:** __ Skoolaborate, [] - Skoolaborate works with schools. Adults must be teachers at a participating school and pass a background check. There are videos, virtual projects, galleries and a good bit of information to help you understand what this project is about. (Available in China)

__ **Second Life** __ : Second Life, http://secondlife.com - Johnson, p. 76-77; Solomon, p. 262 & Second Life is free, although there a plenty of opportunities to spend money once one is in Second Life. (Available in China)
 * Teen Second Life - Solomon, p. 263 - Discontinued

__ **Virtual World Games:** __ Spore and World of Warcraft both are virtual world games. Neither is free, although Spore allows one to begin to build an organism and provides a fair amount of information on what the virtual world is like, but to play one must purchase a game. World of Warcraft offers the first 20 levels for free, then requires a monthly fee to continue.

Spore, http://www.spore.com - Johnson, p. 80-81

World of Warcraft, [|http://www.worldofwarcraft.com] - Johnson, p. 105