Is Webkinz Bad for Kids?

Someone else had posted about Webkinz not to long ago. My son has about 10 of them. I have heard of some kids having 30 of them!!! Which is crazyness, so isnt 10 for that fact.

As long as you limit her time and dont let her become addicted to it. They can get carried away with it, like with anything new. My son will go through spirts, where everything is webkinz, then he will play outside all week long and never go on the computer, then he will play something else. So just be involved and monitor her usage.

And, personally, I think the concept of WEbkinz and the site is great. It teaches children responsibility, and teaches them about money, spending and what things cost, good for math skills.

Why didnt they have this stuff when we were young?
Best of Luck

Hi K.
We have the same name(tee-hee) Anyway:) I think some of these sites ar Ok(in moderation) We put sites into my daughters favorites that we have viewd so we know what they are about. All kids have to learn how to use the computer sometime. Some of the sites for kids are questionable almost like chat rooms so we steer clear of thoose. But it sounds like she is being resposable.
K.

I'm glad you brought this issue up, because I think it's important for parents to think very carefully before exposing their children at such an early age to the internet. I found a very informative site in which a lot of these concerns are discussed, here is the link:

http://socialmedia.vox.com/library/post/the-webkinz-debat...

I hope more parents will begin to question the notion that it is harmless and convenient to let their children have access to this sort of media-game.

I agree with everyone else that it is a safe site, just watch the moderation as with anything else electronic! My kids (5 1/2 and 3) both got through spurts where they are really into it and are constantly asking to do it, then it calms down (espeically with the spring weather coming around)... One thing I really like about it, is it helps my husband connect with the kids when he is traveling- he will sign on as my daughter and we will sign on my son and then they enjoy playing games against each other...not the best quality time, but certainly better than nothing while daddy is traveling!

You have good limits set, 1 hour a day is fine for a kiddo her age. Taking care of it offline is imaginative play like anything else. The good thing about Webkinz is, it's like taking care of a real pet in that you have to feed it, care for it, and do jobs to earn money to buy what it needs, it teaches kids how that all works. Many of the games have educational components, though admittedly, not all. My kids have several each and they are also limited to 1 hour each in Webkinz world and now that it's not such a novelty, they often don't use that time every day.
As long as your daughter goes outside to play and has other interests, she's fine. Try sitting down with her and playing with her a little, it really is fun.

Webkinz is very fun for kids but be careful it has crashed our computer twice. Also other people I have talked to it has crashed their computer as well whichis a shame because my kids loved the website as well.

No, I don't think so. My son is 9 and we just discovered it a while ago. I think it's a great learning place. If you go to quizzy's corner, the questions are great for the kids to answer. Even I'm learning some new things. I wish items didn't cost so much, but I give it a thumb's up.. B.

HI K.- I think Webkinz, or any other web game/pet, is only bad if excessive. I have twin girls who are nearly 9. They love their Webkinz! In my opinion, they have far too many of them (around 8 or so each). I do not buy them for them. They use any money they earn to buy them, which helps them learn about the importance of saving and deciding what to spend their money on.
I think if you limit the amount of time she spends on the website, as you may do for watching TV, it won't be a problem. By playing with their Webkinz, my daughters have learned about earning and spending money with the Kinz cash on the site, and being responsible for the health and well-being of their pet.
It's not my favorite way for them to be spending their time, but it's not violent, it involves problem-solving, and it's confidence boosting, for example, when the vegetables in their garden grow and are ready to be harvested, and they can make them into a meal for their Webkinz. Of course,I balance that in their day with being outside in the real fresh air, and digging in the dirt to see what they can grow. For us, in moderation, it's fine.

Hi K.,
My daughter has a Webkinz, and really enjoys it. I've been on the site and it seems harmless, and even seems to have some good learning aspects as some of the other posters have mentioned. My issue isn't so much with this site, as with the addictive nature of the internet in general, and with other media-type things like TV or video games. My kids are allowed 1/2 hr. per day of screen time, be it Game Cube, or computer, but I have to know what they're doing, and they are strictly timed. And they are only allowed this after they have completed homework, chores, or whatever other responsibilities they've been given for the day. It's all about balance for me. I make sure they get exercise and fresh air, read, interact with each other, etc. And I make sure I check out the web sites they want to visit. Also, if I notice a negative change in their behavior, the screen time is usually the first thing to go.

I'm a mom of an 8 year old girl and a 5 year old boy. They both love Webkinz. That site is the cutest thing. You should sit with your daughter for a bit and see what the site has to offer her, you'll feel much better when you see for yourself and you can decide if you are comfortable with her on the site. There's games, which involve problem solving, math, reading and more. There are jobs the kids can do and earn Webkinz cash to go shopping for their pet right on the site. I witnessed my daughter try to go on one night (after 8:00pm)and a message showed at Login that Webkinz was sleeping and closed for the night! I thought cool, my daughter had no business on the computer after 8:00pm at her age, in my opinion. My kids have 1 each, and I guess that's pretty modest. The vice president at my work has 3 children 3,5 & 9 and between them they have 21. WHAT!!! He was totally embarassed when I told him mine each had 1. You know what I think, someone needs to open a Webkinz Store with everything they make Webkinz, at Easter I really looked for accessories and such, and your card stores have the most selection but still not too too much. What a money maker this thing is I'm telling you, if someone open's a store these kids with their parents in tow, will line up around the block.
If your concerned about too much screen time, set limits. It's important. Mine have to share the computer so setting limits is necessary, and it's a rare occasion if one lets the other a minute of extra time. Hope this helped - go ahead mom check it out with her.

I , as an adult, am addicted. They are so fun and cute and safe. I always limit my 5 yr old to 1 hr on computer. I need to limit myself too. haha

I don't think they're so bad, at least they haven't been for my son. He does the online games but he also plays with them very imaginatively offline; they're a part of his regular stuffed animal games, with the extra of an online environment. They can also meet up with friends online, so he enjoys that. My feeling is that some online time is OK as long as it's limited and monitored -- meaning, making sure that she's not accidentally clicking to sites you wouldn't want her to be on. Keep the computer in a public place, and keep an eye on what's going on without hovering.

My 13year old daughter and and assorted friends and her 10 year old cousin are on it all the time, i find it harmless and fun and i do limit she time on the computer, i think 1 hour a day is enough, plus i have parental guards in place

Webkinz, i do not think is harmfull, but that is my opinion....

i think webkinz is actually good for kids, My 8 year old has 10 and she works for money to feed her webkinz and takes them to the doctor for weekly checkups. There is an online school she takes them to, so i think it gives them a sense of responsibilty. I think it is great , but i do limit here time online also. As long as you are in control of there time spent on it as well. I dont think you have anything to worry about.

As long as you stay involved, I don't see how it could be a bad thing...it's just a "thing". The Good or Bad comes from how you deal with it. Simply treat it as another thing in life - another toy, an educational show, fun website...be there with your child - and enjoy. :)

Hello K.,

I think WK is probably one of the most kidsafe products on-line. Cute and fun but too much of anything is probably not good anyway. It can get expensive so set a limit on what you want to buy. The gift stores(Hallmark/Trends & more)hold allot of cute ones and then you can buy clothes and hand bags etc. for codes to put on the sight for even more fun. You don't have to put allot to do this but just have the knowledge of where you want to go. I think learning to take care of a pet (vertual or not) is great learning. She does have to take care of them and can bathe and brush teeth too. They say "Don't forget to flush" Have some fun with her? At age 5.5 I think 1 hour may be a little long all at once. Just my thought. Take care.

CONTINUED: After submitting my thoughts I saw "Doria H" response and went to the website. I agreee that GANZ has made an "addicting" game (isn't that what all bussinesses try to do?)and your pet does get hungry and near dying but it does not take too much to bring it right back with a little food. There are fun things like gardens to tend too (you have to build one). It is all inwhat and how you want to earn your money. Gambling? I dont think so , getting better at a game or just trying to learn at "Quizy's Corner" I suggest you look around and show her the learning aspect too. It is quite in depth for age appropriate. Most of all, if ya going to do it - Have Some Fun EXPLORE!

bad for kids - no, addictive - VERY!!!! it's cute, but it's very addicting.. I wish my kids would use it only an hr a day! SIgn yourself up or play with it for a while, you'll see it's pretty harmless..

Hello everyone, Webkinz are wonderful toys for my 10 year old, and she loves to go online. I have no problems with this, except that you need to make sure that all of their responsibilities and chores are done first. And oh yeah, do not take your child to a store with Webkinz in them, or you'll be hassled into buying more of them. I make her buy them with her own money that she earns (working for others), my child won't do work at our own home, go figure....any ideas for this??? Good luck

My son in 5 and spends way too much time on Wenkinz. If I let him he would sit there for the entire day. The good thing is I teach Internet Safety for kids through the local District Attorney's Office and I can tell you a lot of horrible websites for kids. Webkinz is NOT one of them. There is no risk with Webkinz because they cannot "talk" to strangers. It has taught my son to read, type, and use money. When your daughter gets more interested in other types of web games just be sure to pay attention but for now, your all set!

It's not a bad site at all. My 7 year old has been playing on the site off and on for about 1.5 years. The site is a lot of fun and seems pretty well protected. I've emailed questions to them (parents area) with questions and concerns and they have responded promptly. The parents area is a good place for you to go and learn a little about the space. Moderation is key of course, when she gets a new webkinz, she wants to stay on for hours, setting up a room, buying furniture, etc. and I'll have to put a limit on it. I think it's kind of cool and because the "chat" is limited to pre-exisitng phrases that the kids can click on, it protects them form cyber-bullies better than some other sites.