Letters to the Editor
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not all sites are bad
Ok so before I get into this I admit it - I'm biased. As a sometime player of World of Warcraft, I have a soft spot for social communities and online games.
I think there is a lot of hysteria out there about kids playing games and getting into social networking sites. From the 'predator' articles in the MSM about MySpace, to the 'your kid is an EverQuest junkie' articles, there seems to be a lack of balance.
Insidious advertising to children is bad, but it certainally isn't limited to the internet. In fact, there is a whole boatload more of such advertising on TV. And lets not forget that traditional barbie (you know, the REAL doll) comes with a whole host of accessories that are commercial tie ins (pink corvette anyone?) So the internet isn't any worse in this regard.
Playing online is a cool way for kids to interact with people who AREN'T their neighbors, and can expose them people from different places in a kind of pen-pal type situation from the days of yore.
Not only that, but a lot of these sites teach a sort of responsiblity. Live in a little appartment too small for a real pet? Want your kid to test drive the idea of responsible pet ownership before they drive? Maybe letting them play Neopets is a good way to see if they're even remotely ready for the responsibility.
Club Pengin is another insteresting one, where kids can learn to save credits to buy 'virtual goods'. 'turning kids into little capitalist consumers!' you say... perhaps. But also teaching them how to save and have the basic foundations of fiscal responsibility...
All I'm saying is the issue of children's online networking sites is more complex than 'they're rotting their brains with virtual barbie' or 'they should go outside'.
Try and look at it from a bit more of a balances perspective next time.
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Yes, you are a feminist, knowledgeable about everything, experienced with nothing
I'm proudly a part of that first generation to grow up with the Internet constantly at its fingertips and, in fact, have a prized photo of me as a diapered baby banging on the keyboard of some early-model PC. But I'm with professor Turkle's old-fashioned advice: "If you're lucky enough to have a kid next door, I'd have a play date instead of letting your kid sit at the computer." Not to mention, there's something to be said for that adolescent right-of-passage that simply can't be duplicated virtually: The maiming and defacing of a formerly prized Barbie doll.
So Ms. Clark-Flory,
a) You have no kids
b) You have no experience with these sites
c) You read an article
Why of course you are an expert and should be telling us all how to behave! And we should listen to you!
After all, is there anything you would ever hesitate to judge or give us your informed opinion of?
(Kind of funny that you can't figure out why these sites have so many girls on them....)
Well Ms. High and Mighty, these sites can provide very nice playdates for kids situated across town or even across the country. And sit the kids at both homes down at a free VOIP Speakerphone and let the giggles and laughs roar!
The absolute cluelessness and inability to acknowledge ignorance of Broadsheet authors and so many feminists (and so many people) is a constant amazement.
Journalism much, or just phoning it in Tracy?
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so what
Oh boo hoo now little girls are using the big boy computers. What next--oh noes they are playing video games!! Shit she wants to learn how to program. The horrors of having a technologically savvy little girl.
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Error!
Shouldn't it be "rite-of-passage," as in ceremonial "rites," linguistically related (I suppose) to "rituals?"
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Do you really want your daughter playing Doom and Grand Theft Auto?
OK, I only spent a few minutes on Stardoll, but I thought it was fun! Full disclosure, no kids, I'm 55. Playing with dolls is just like dress-up, which doesn't get old.
I'm thrilled that someone is spending money programming for little girls. The only thing I didn't notice on Stardoll is the opportunity to design your own model and outfits - requiring them to learn programming (or at least Photoshop). I am sure that one of these sites does (or will) offer it, and that is an entry point to technical experience, something that is missing with a real Barbie.
I find this to be a good news story. Short of some educational sites (these tend to be too preachy for kids, though) you could do far, far worse.
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Better than TV
You have to limit screen time, as they say, but when my daughter is playing Webkins at least she's reading and writing a little. She also learns about earning money and budgeting. It's not exactly educational, but it's less passive than TV.
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Rite of passage
BadReligion is right. I also see "hypocracy" popping up on the boards, as if being hypocritical is a form of government. It's hypocrisy. Rite of passage. Hypocrisy.
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um, what?
The problem is what now? Advertising? Here's a quick lesson in child management: "No, you can't have anything you have to pay for." Lesson over.
Heck, I've made some of these paper dolls myself. Everyone in chat went nuts on them one day. It's possible to make the case that there are more productive ways to spend time than searching through thousands of tiny graphics for the perfect shoes to go with that outfit, but that can be said about most activities. At least the kids aren't playing in traffic.
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I'm shocked, shocked etc.
But, for some of these major virtual play sites, the percentage of female users is staggeringly high: Stardoll's audience is 93 percent female and Cartoon Doll Emporium's user base is 96 percent female. And several sites -- like BarbieGirls.com -- are overtly marketed toward girls.
Possible headlines:
DOLL DRESS-UP WEBSITES FAIL TO ATTRACT MALE USERS
BARBIE WEBSITE TARGETS GIRLS
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Oh no! Girls are using technology!
Give me a break.
Girls using laptops to play dress up with their dolls? Sounds great to me! At least they're being given opportunities to play games on the computer now. That is exposing them to technology early on, increasing their chances of pursuing technology in the future. We've had enough discussions on here about the lack of women in technology which is largely connected to the lack of opportunities for girls to get involved and connected with technology at a young age.
Girls and women have been largely ignored when it comes to computer games because that's "something only boys do". I think this is a good thing, despite Barbie and stereotypical gender role reinforcement.
As to the writer's comments about advertising:
Kids are being marketed to everywhere--TV, the Internet, etc. It's a fact of our society today. It's the parents' responsibility to keep their children from buying in to every advertisement they see.