Know your limits
Today a couple of the neighbor kids were playing in our house. One of them asked to use a computer to feed his Webkinz. This particular little guy just started kindergarten. I was interested in seeing what he could do on his own.
I pointed him to our second grader’s computer. He double-clicked “e” on the desktop. The computer went to some Barbie page. Without flinching, he opened the favorites and found the Webkinz icon in the listing. A few seconds later he was logged in with his username and password.
He fed his “pet” and asked if it was ok to play his favorite Webkinz game. I asked him what his favorite game was. He pointed to the link at the bottom of the page. I asked him the name of the game.
Without missing a beat he looked at me and said, “I don’t know. I can’t read.”
September 24th, 2007 at 5:48 am
Our first grader just finished two months of consistent, non-whiny violin practice on Friday to earn her Webkinz. We already had the talk about not telling your password to anyone, even your big sister, which was reinforced from big sister herself (3rd grade), who won’t tell HER password to little sis.
It was fun to watch our youngest log on and promptly spend her 2,000 kinzcash – only to bemoan the fact that there was so much more she wanted to buy! Off to Quizzy’s for some educational questions to earn more kinzcash.
The clerk at the store asked if I would be playing more games to “help my kids get as much kinzcash as they could,” which is apparently what some other parents do. I looked at him incredulously and replied, “NO WAY!” One of the best parts of the site is that they have to EARN their own kinzcash when they run out, either through jobs (one job every 8 hours), games (lots of effort, not much cash), or educational quizzes (the most efficient way). Welcome to the real world where resources are limited and choices must be made.
This weekend went very smoothly because now both kids really want computer time, which is limited at our house. Forget the TV – they certainly have. I haven’t heard a request to watch TV in weeks! When they have free time, they want to read or play in Webkinz world. Now if I could just get them to play the typing game…
September 26th, 2007 at 1:36 pm
I’m sorry to say, but you may find yourself getting hooked on these games – I know a number of parents who are! There is something about them… me, I am a Goober’s-lab-aholic. I admit it, I like to play this game, even if I pretend it helps fill my daughter’s kinzcash balance, the truth is, I just like the game!
September 26th, 2007 at 10:05 pm
Yeah…my vice is the advanced one player Cash Cow game (the original, although Cash Cow 2 is fun, too). But I play it when I have time because it’s fun, NOT to earn her kinzcash. Now I suppose I’ll have to figure out a fair way to play on both accounts.
September 22nd, 2009 at 9:57 am
This is a great story, Alvin– thanks for sharing it! I find the complexity and variety of online environments like Webkinz and Club Penguin to be fascinating. The designers and developers obviously have very good perspectives on how to maintain young people’s attention and keep them coming back for more.