Free Realms Safety Observation
So I just realized in Free Realms, players under age 13 cannot chat at all. Wow, that totally stinks for them. Although, from what I've observed, Free Realms isn't a horribly chatty game anyway. Obviously I'm over 13, though, so I didn't notice this restriction earlier.
But, it makes perfect sense. By keeping the kiddies from being able to chat, they're also preventing them from being able to give out dangerous personal information, such as age, location, phone numbers, email addresses, or any means to contact someone outside of the game. Sure, harassment and vulgarity are issues in any virtual world, but the release of personal information is the real threat because it allows potential predators to contact kids online and lure them to an unmoderated environment.
Yet at the same time, taking away chat from kids isn't limiting the experience for the older users by imposing a super strict chat filter or dictionary.
Free Realms has some obvious safety features for kids, such as a number filter, usernames that have to be approved, and the lack of chat for those under 13. Although, in a lot of ways it seems more like a traditional MMORPG that has made itself "kid friendly" as oppossed to a full fledged kids virtual world. A lot of virtual worlds out there take it to the extreme one way or another, and as a result scare away plenty of potential players... they're either too strict with child safety restrictions, thus scaring away older players, or they're too liberal with their safety policies, which makes the game unsuitable for children.
It broadens the audience so everyone can enjoy it whether you're young or old. So adults who are looking for a user-friendly, free to play MMO can really enjoy Free Realms just as much as the kids that need a safe experience.
Of course, I'm sure all the kids are just going to lie about their ages. So, it problably doesn't really matter anyway!
But, it makes perfect sense. By keeping the kiddies from being able to chat, they're also preventing them from being able to give out dangerous personal information, such as age, location, phone numbers, email addresses, or any means to contact someone outside of the game. Sure, harassment and vulgarity are issues in any virtual world, but the release of personal information is the real threat because it allows potential predators to contact kids online and lure them to an unmoderated environment.
Yet at the same time, taking away chat from kids isn't limiting the experience for the older users by imposing a super strict chat filter or dictionary.
Free Realms has some obvious safety features for kids, such as a number filter, usernames that have to be approved, and the lack of chat for those under 13. Although, in a lot of ways it seems more like a traditional MMORPG that has made itself "kid friendly" as oppossed to a full fledged kids virtual world. A lot of virtual worlds out there take it to the extreme one way or another, and as a result scare away plenty of potential players... they're either too strict with child safety restrictions, thus scaring away older players, or they're too liberal with their safety policies, which makes the game unsuitable for children.
It broadens the audience so everyone can enjoy it whether you're young or old. So adults who are looking for a user-friendly, free to play MMO can really enjoy Free Realms just as much as the kids that need a safe experience.
Of course, I'm sure all the kids are just going to lie about their ages. So, it problably doesn't really matter anyway!
Labels: free realms, Rant, safety, virtual world
posted by Glacian at
11:52 AM
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