Comments on: Exploring differences in preteen social networking sites http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/03/27/exploring-differences-in-preteen-social-networking-sites/ Weblog of Wesley Fryer Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:55:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Guest420 http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/03/27/exploring-differences-in-preteen-social-networking-sites/comment-page-1/#comment-162158 Guest420 Fri, 27 Jan 2012 02:58:00 +0000 http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/03/27/exploring-differences-in-preteen-social-networking-sites/#comment-162158 (This is an edited version of an original comment, the profanity has been removed. To future commenters on this and other posts on my blog, please do not post profanity, I won't approve those comments.) Sounds to me like you're a crazy psycho parent who needs to chill the **** out. Stardoll is an amazing website (this coming from a 19 year old girl who's a long time member and huge fan (oh and guess what, I've been on websites with similar safety characteristics as stardoll since I was seven, I was just always smart enough to not get kidnapped by pedophiles, I guess (actually I never encountered any at all))). There is a kids version of the website if you're so ****** worried about a pedophile getting your (apparently ********) kid kidnapped. If you're so worried about pedophiles on the internet getting a hold of your kids, TEACH THEM NOT TO GIVE OUT THEIR ****** PERSONAL INFORMATION. Easy as ****** that. Have some trust. Stardoll is for fashionable girls who want to express themselves. Stardoll allows you to buy virtual clothes and put together outfits and apply makeup. And it's a free website. Unlike buying actual clothes and makeup to play real dress-up with. Your child doesn't HAVE to chat in clubs. Your kid doesn't even have to join clubs at all. If you don't want your kid in them, tell them THAT'S not allowed. Check up on them. "Prohibiting/banning it's (entire) use in your home" is ****** psycho. Not to mention, that bar running across the top is for advertising and most kids who actually enjoy the game pay no attention to it. I'd be so pissed to have you as a parent. Overprotective ********. Sorry to be so vulgar and rude, but your article here seriously ****** me off. Reevaluate your priorities, hm? I bet you don't agree with neopets either. Seeing as there's MESSAGE BOARDS, OMG. PS, you know there's report buttons right? If there's inapproperiate content or if someone's asking for any personal information, your kid can report it. Or you can report it yourself, seeing as you'd be the type of parent to sit behind your kid's shoulder as they play (This is an edited version of an original comment, the profanity has been removed. To future commenters on this and other posts on my blog, please do not post profanity, I won’t approve those comments.)

Sounds to me like you’re a crazy psycho parent who needs to chill the **** out. Stardoll is an amazing website (this coming from a 19 year old girl who’s a long time member and huge fan (oh and guess what, I’ve been on websites with similar safety characteristics as stardoll since I was seven, I was just always smart enough to not get kidnapped by pedophiles, I guess (actually I never encountered any at all))). There is a kids version of the website if you’re so ****** worried about a pedophile getting your (apparently ********) kid kidnapped. If you’re so worried about pedophiles on the internet getting a hold of your kids, TEACH THEM NOT TO GIVE OUT THEIR ****** PERSONAL INFORMATION. Easy as ****** that. Have some trust. Stardoll is for fashionable girls who want to express themselves. Stardoll allows you to buy virtual clothes and put together outfits and apply makeup. And it’s a free website. Unlike buying actual clothes and makeup to play real dress-up with. Your child doesn’t HAVE to chat in clubs. Your kid doesn’t even have to join clubs at all. If you don’t want your kid in them, tell them THAT’S not allowed. Check up on them. “Prohibiting/banning it’s (entire) use in your home” is ****** psycho. Not to mention, that bar running across the top is for advertising and most kids who actually enjoy the game pay no attention to it.

I’d be so pissed to have you as a parent. Overprotective ********.
Sorry to be so vulgar and rude, but your article here seriously ****** me off. Reevaluate your priorities, hm? I bet you don’t agree with neopets either. Seeing as there’s MESSAGE BOARDS, OMG.

PS, you know there’s report buttons right? If there’s inapproperiate content or if someone’s asking for any personal information, your kid can report it. Or you can report it yourself, seeing as you’d be the type of parent to sit behind your kid’s shoulder as they play

]]> By: Wesley Fryer http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/03/27/exploring-differences-in-preteen-social-networking-sites/comment-page-1/#comment-50806 Wesley Fryer Tue, 01 Apr 2008 05:53:02 +0000 http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/03/27/exploring-differences-in-preteen-social-networking-sites/#comment-50806 Gary: When my wife and I spent time on Stardoll, we were alarmed by many of the chat rooms, which had room titles making it appear they were places to talk about sex. The web is dynamic, and in fairness to the site we should probably revisit it and document in greater detail what we find there. I do not have a problem with bikinis or 2D figures with bikinis, but there certainly are better things my daughter could be doing with her time than dressing characters on Stardoll. Your point on much of media encouraging a consumerist focus is valid, of course. I'll spend some more the site at some point in the next few weeks and do a better job documenting what we find there. Perhaps our fears are unfounded, I admit we did not spend more than 15 minutes on the site... I'm pretty sure the chat environments there are not great places for kids to hang out, however. Gary: When my wife and I spent time on Stardoll, we were alarmed by many of the chat rooms, which had room titles making it appear they were places to talk about sex. The web is dynamic, and in fairness to the site we should probably revisit it and document in greater detail what we find there. I do not have a problem with bikinis or 2D figures with bikinis, but there certainly are better things my daughter could be doing with her time than dressing characters on Stardoll. Your point on much of media encouraging a consumerist focus is valid, of course. I’ll spend some more the site at some point in the next few weeks and do a better job documenting what we find there. Perhaps our fears are unfounded, I admit we did not spend more than 15 minutes on the site… I’m pretty sure the chat environments there are not great places for kids to hang out, however.

]]> By: Alice Osborne http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/03/27/exploring-differences-in-preteen-social-networking-sites/comment-page-1/#comment-50783 Alice Osborne Mon, 31 Mar 2008 15:24:54 +0000 http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/03/27/exploring-differences-in-preteen-social-networking-sites/#comment-50783 Wesley, As Managing Director of Public Relations for Children's Way and Woogi World, I want to thank you for mentioning Woogi World on your blog. And I encourage everyone to check us out. This is a FREE site that's not just for kids (K through grade 6), but for parents as well. Here's what sets us apart from all other kids/tweens social sites: 1)We're the ONLY kids social site that invites/encourages PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT and even rewards kids when their parents do come on. 2) We are value-based, character-building, academically sound [creating games/activities to be NCLB compliant]. 3) We're the ONLY kids' site that goes beyond just monitoring conversations/behavior in the chat room: our "closed chat" is not only monitored, but kids are held accountable for their choices and then coached by us on how to improve behavior and conduct themselves responsibly online! 4) On Woogi World kids engage in a Value Badge Program (via Value Adventures), designed to bring them onto the site exploring and learning about these values (kindness, gratitude, citizenship, community service, physical fitness, etc.), then through points and prizes we motivate them to get OFF the Internet and back into the real world applying what they've learned. We partner with such orgs. as Foundation For a Better Life, Habitat For Humanity, America's Promise, National Exchange Clubs, Nat'l Wildlife Federation and Green Hour, AARP, Afterschool Alliance, iKeepSafe, Mom Central, and others. We are concerned about childhood obesity, the commercialization and sexualization of children, nature deficit disorder, the waning interest in reading, the lack of outdoor play children are experiencing, and so much more. (Gary is so right-- kids need to play outside!) Our site will eventually have a helpful Parents Resource Center where parents can go to find information on all things family and parenting. Our underlying mantra is that children and parents should always come away better for having spent time on Woogi World. Woogi World is THE place to be on the Internet--it's where we're preparing children to compete globally, contribute locally, and excel personally. Since the Internet is here to stay, lets train this new generation of children to use it responsibly. Finally, our motto: the Internet is meant to enhance life, not BE life! Woogi World is FREE and a no-brainer. So again, thanks for helping us spread the Woogi World word! Kind regards, Alice Wesley,

As Managing Director of Public Relations for Children’s Way and Woogi World, I want to thank you for mentioning Woogi World on your blog. And I encourage everyone to check us out. This is a FREE site that’s not just for kids (K through grade 6), but for parents as well.

Here’s what sets us apart from all other kids/tweens social sites: 1)We’re the ONLY kids social site that invites/encourages PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT and even rewards kids when their parents do come on. 2) We are value-based, character-building, academically sound [creating games/activities to be NCLB compliant]. 3) We’re the ONLY kids’ site that goes beyond just monitoring conversations/behavior in the chat room: our “closed chat” is not only monitored, but kids are held accountable for their choices and then coached by us on how to improve behavior and conduct themselves responsibly online!

4) On Woogi World kids engage in a Value Badge Program (via Value Adventures), designed to bring them onto the site exploring and learning about these values (kindness, gratitude, citizenship, community service, physical fitness, etc.), then through points and prizes we motivate them to get OFF the Internet and back into the real world applying what they’ve learned.

We partner with such orgs. as Foundation For a Better Life, Habitat For Humanity, America’s Promise, National Exchange Clubs, Nat’l Wildlife Federation and Green Hour, AARP, Afterschool Alliance, iKeepSafe, Mom Central, and others. We are concerned about childhood obesity, the commercialization and sexualization of children, nature deficit disorder, the waning interest in reading, the lack of outdoor play children are experiencing, and so much more. (Gary is so right– kids need to play outside!)

Our site will eventually have a helpful Parents Resource Center where parents can go to find information on all things family and parenting. Our underlying mantra is that children and parents should always come away better for having spent time on Woogi World.

Woogi World is THE place to be on the Internet–it’s where we’re preparing children to compete globally, contribute locally, and excel personally. Since the Internet is here to stay, lets train this new generation of children to use it responsibly. Finally, our motto: the Internet is meant to enhance life, not BE life! Woogi World is FREE and a no-brainer. So again, thanks for helping us spread the Woogi World word!

Kind regards,
Alice

]]> By: Gary Stager http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/03/27/exploring-differences-in-preteen-social-networking-sites/comment-page-1/#comment-50704 Gary Stager Sun, 30 Mar 2008 07:38:28 +0000 http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/03/27/exploring-differences-in-preteen-social-networking-sites/#comment-50704 Wes, I spent a couple of minutes clicking around Stardoll.com and don't quite understand your objections or warnings about the site. Sure, it's about conspicuous consumerism and gossip, but so is most media. There is a way to be "Kid safe" or "Kid locked" and denied access to discussion boards (Clubs in the parlance of Stardoll). Otherwise, the dominant activity seems to be an online version of paper dolls. What's the problem there (beyond the waste of time playing on the web happens to be)? Are you concerned that the 2D cartoon woman has a bikini on? The post above mine points out that real life predators and stalkers remain a much greater threat than those playing paper dolls online. I'm a big fan of computing, but I look at sites like this and Webkinz and feel compelled to suggest, "play outside!" Please fill me in if I'm missing something... -=Gary Wes,

I spent a couple of minutes clicking around Stardoll.com and don’t quite understand your objections or warnings about the site.

Sure, it’s about conspicuous consumerism and gossip, but so is most media. There is a way to be “Kid safe” or “Kid locked” and denied access to discussion boards (Clubs in the parlance of Stardoll).

Otherwise, the dominant activity seems to be an online version of paper dolls. What’s the problem there (beyond the waste of time playing on the web happens to be)? Are you concerned that the 2D cartoon woman has a bikini on?

The post above mine points out that real life predators and stalkers remain a much greater threat than those playing paper dolls online.

I’m a big fan of computing, but I look at sites like this and Webkinz and feel compelled to suggest, “play outside!”

Please fill me in if I’m missing something…

-=Gary

]]> By: Wesley Fryer http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/03/27/exploring-differences-in-preteen-social-networking-sites/comment-page-1/#comment-50639 Wesley Fryer Fri, 28 Mar 2008 14:25:25 +0000 http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/03/27/exploring-differences-in-preteen-social-networking-sites/#comment-50639 Andy: Indeed it must have been, that's my tag! :-) <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wfryer/503600331/" title="Oklahoma Blogger by Wesley Fryer, on Flickr" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/197/503600331_c271b2d2f1_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Oklahoma Blogger" /></a> Andy: Indeed it must have been, that’s my tag! :-)

Oklahoma Blogger

]]> By: Andy Boatman http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/03/27/exploring-differences-in-preteen-social-networking-sites/comment-page-1/#comment-50637 Andy Boatman Fri, 28 Mar 2008 12:54:13 +0000 http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/03/27/exploring-differences-in-preteen-social-networking-sites/#comment-50637 Hey there Wesley, Was that you at the stop light in front of me in the Toyota with the license plate "BLOGGER". I tried to get out my camera but it was too late and the light changed. Andy Hey there Wesley,
Was that you at the stop light in front of me in the Toyota with the license plate “BLOGGER”. I tried to get out my camera but it was too late and the light changed.
Andy

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