Virtual Playgrounds

Unlike Facebook,kid-centric sites,like Togetherville for young children and Everloop for teens,involve parents in signing-up and monitoring their child’s activity. “I registered my daughter on Everloop when she was 10,” says Murlidhar Rao,a restaurant owner from East Delhi,“Many of her friends’ parents are strict but Everloop allows me to be a cool dad.” IT expert Rishav Singla adds that these social networking sites are “like virtual classrooms for children. They are not 100 per cent free from risks that internet can pose,but offer space that can provide an information base,build social skills and help children develop creativity”. He has started a company called Qcabs.com,and has made an account for his seven-year-old nephew on Clubpenguin,a cutesy virtual world where animated penguins with alter egos go sledding and make buddies.

Billed as a cross between Facebook and a virtual pet game Tamagotchi,Moshi Monsters too is gaining popularity. Here,a group of “scary” monsters have to be taken care of by the user. Also high on the list of pre-teen networking sites is Stardoll.com,a virtual doll dressing-up and designing site. It has an option called the Kid Safe Membership,which allows young girls to access all doll-related games and features. Scuttlepad.com,which is for children between six and 11,on the other hand,offers a chance to learn the basics about social networking but doesn’t let them upload photographs.

So,with a bit of tact,you can harness the positive side of social networking for your children.

Curated For You

IND vs NZ ODI Series 2026: Squad Announcement, Schedule, Match Dates, Timings, Venues & Live Streaming Info

Gold Today Rate, December 29: Check 18, 22 and 24 carat gold prices Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and other cities

One investment, multiple incomes: How Punjab’s new-age farmers are using integrated farming for year-round income