The parental controls at Webkinz World are there to make it easy for parents to decide what’s right for you. Your parent or guardian can choose whether or not to allow you to join in on KinzChat Plus through Webkinz World’s parental controls.
Most parents are concerned about their kids chatting online, fearing they'll be persuaded to give out personal information, or be exposed to vulgar words or insults. These are real worries at most places you can chat, but not at the Clubhouse of Webkinz World. Ganz, the company that makes Webkinz, has done everything possible to prevent these things from happening to make it a safe, fun place for kids to chat.
Parent Accounts
When you try to use KinzChat Plus for the first time, your parent or guardian will get an email asking for permission for you to chat there. They can agree and allow it, or decline at that time. Your parents can even make a Parent Account and set it up so that you can’t request access to KinzChat Plus in the first place, if they feel it’s not right for you.
If you’re given permission to use KinzChat Plus, you get to type in your own messages to other Webkinz users. You can only use words that are in the KinzChat dictionary. The words have to be spelled right, and they can’t be numbers or number words, common or place names. And no bad language will get through, either. If one word isn’t in the dictionary or is deemed unfit for KinzChat Plus, the entire sentence won’t go through. That’s for your protection, and to ensure that everyone has fun.
It would only take one person sending bad messages to someone else to ruin the fun for everyone, so Webkinz takes these things very seriously. Which is why your parent or guardian can say “no” and lock you out of KinzChat Plus. That’s a decision parents must make for their children based on what they think is best.
But regular KinzChat doesn’t require permission. You must choose the words and phrases you say to other chatters from a set of comments already written for you. This makes it impossible for someone to give out an address or phone number, or say something bad or mean to another person.
Parents Can Have Fun, Too
It’s best if your parent or guardian becomes familiar with Webkinz World, especially KinzChat Plus. Parents who get involved make Webkinz World even more safe and fun for kids, so the more Mom and Dad know about what you’re doing online, the better.
You or your parents can easily report any negative behavior in KinzChat Plus. Each room has a Reporting Button shaped like a shield. You do everyone a favor when you report bad behavior, because Webkinz investigates each report and deals with any members who act in such a way. Members who don’t behave in an appropriate manner lose their access to KinzChat plus to keep it a safe, fun place to play.
Keep Mom and Dad in the Know!
Be sure and tell your parents all about KinzChat Plus. Mention the email they’ll receive asking for permission. It should set your parents’ minds at ease to know that KinzChat conversations are already written for you, and they have the final say in whether or not you can use KinzChat Plus, thanks to Webkinz parental controls.