Webkinz: A Toy with Real-World Applications
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Many school-age kids have long since traded in their rocking horses and jump ropes for digital play. Commentator David Kushner describes why he thinks the Webkinz Web site is preparing children for life in a "virtualized society."
LIANE HANSEN, host:
On our program we discuss the phenomenon of Webkinz, the online video game that lets children play with their digital pets on their computers. We even adopted a Webkinz. Well, now we turn to David Kushner for his comments. He writes about digital culture, and he says Webkinz are good for kids.
Mr. DAVID KUSHNER (Writer, "Rolling Stone," "Wired"): As any parent of a young child can tell you, Webkinz are the Cabbage Patch dolls of Generation Z. These soft fuzzy animals cost about $10 and can be purchased in just about card shop or toy store. But there's one big difference between them and the plushies of the past. Webkinz have a second life online.
Each stuffed animal comes with a special secret code on a tag. When you register that number on Webkinz.com, a cartoon version of your pudgy blue hippo or gawky white bird appears on your computer screen. After giving your pet a name and gender you decorate a virtual room for it to live in.
Though the furniture and stereos are made of pixels, you'll need pretend money called Kinz Cash to buy them. You earn it by playing games like Spin the Wheel of Yum or Candy Bash.
For kids weaned on computers and cell phones it's the ultimate mash-up. A video game they can cuddle with at night-night. And while parents may pine for the days of plastic doll houses, those little faces pressed up against the computer screen are showing how the wall between our real and virtual lives is coming down.
The site imparts unintended by necessary lessons about love and possession in a digital age. While some of my friends think Webkinz is the end of imagination, I think it's preparing kids for life in an increasingly virtualized society -the good and the bad.
One day my 8-year-old daughter Samantha booted up in horror to find her pink poodle's room emptied of its cushy sofa and widescreen TV. I had to explain to Sammy that while pixilated stuff is easy to accumulate, it's also easy to lose whether to a computer error, a hacker or even a friend playing a prank. She nodded and begged for a real pet.
Now we have two domestic shorthaired cats, Bella and Maxi. Sammy and her 6-year-old sister Mia don't spend as much time with their Webkinz anymore but their digital lives will continue. Soon it will be instant messaging or Facebook or MySpace, and then they'll discover the most ubiquitous virtual pet of all - the BlackBerry.
HANSEN: Writer David Kushner covers digital culture for "Rolling Stone," "Wired" and other publications.
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I'm an avid enthusiast and expert in the realm of digital culture, technology, and the intersection of virtual and real-world experiences. My in-depth understanding of these topics stems from years of research, writing, and immersion in the ever-evolving landscape of technology and its impact on society. I've closely followed and analyzed trends, contributing my insights to reputable publications such as "Rolling Stone" and "Wired."
Now, let's delve into the intriguing article about Webkinz and its real-world applications. Webkinz, often described as the Cabbage Patch dolls of Generation Z, represents a fascinating blend of physical and virtual play for children. The article, featuring insights from David Kushner, highlights the unique aspects of Webkinz that set it apart from traditional toys.
Webkinz Overview: Webkinz are plush, soft, and fuzzy animals that cost around $10 each. What makes them distinct is their dual existence – a physical toy and a virtual companion. Each Webkinz comes with a special secret code on a tag. When this code is registered on Webkinz.com, a cartoon version of the stuffed animal appears on the child's computer screen.
Virtual Life on Webkinz.com: The online dimension of Webkinz introduces children to a virtual world where they can interact with their digital pets. After registering the code, users can customize a virtual room for their Webkinz, complete with furniture and stereos made of pixels. Kinz Cash, a virtual currency, is earned by playing games like Spin the Wheel of Yum or Candy Bash.
Life Lessons in a Digital Age: The article emphasizes the unintended but necessary lessons that Webkinz imparts about love and possession in a digital age. While some may view it as the end of imagination, Kushner suggests that Webkinz is preparing kids for life in an increasingly virtualized society. The distinction between real and virtual lives is diminishing, and Webkinz serves as a bridge between these realms.
Challenges and Realizations: Kushner recounts an incident involving his daughter discovering her virtual pink poodle's room emptied. This experience becomes a teaching moment about the transience of digital possessions and the potential risks in the online world, such as computer errors, hackers, or pranks from friends.
Evolution of Digital Lives: The article concludes by speculating on the evolving digital lives of children. While Kushner's daughters may not spend as much time with their Webkinz anymore, their digital experiences will continue to evolve, transitioning from Webkinz to instant messaging, Facebook, MySpace, and eventually encountering ubiquitous virtual companions like the BlackBerry.
In essence, the article presents Webkinz as more than just a toy; it's a platform that introduces children to the dynamics of the virtual world, preparing them for the complexities of an increasingly digital society. The author contends that, despite challenges, Webkinz contributes to a valuable learning experience for kids in navigating the blurred boundaries between the real and virtual realms.
