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The latest craze that's hitting the elementary crowd is Webkinz. They're stuffed animals with a special code attached to each individual Webkinz, ensuring that each and every Webkinz animal has a different personality. The owner of the Webkinz goes to the Webkinz site to adopt the animal and from there they can play games, interact with other users and even make Kinzcash. The Kinzcash can then be spent at various shops like the W Shop or the Curio Shop, and places like the Newspaper or the Clinic. Your Webkinz can get sick, feel hunger or get a job.

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There has been some controversy surrounding the Webkinz craze as children as young as 5 are getting hooked on spending time with their adoptee and the computer. The chat function on the Webkinz site initially inspired some concerns but enough safety precautions have been taken (only pre-set messages can be sent, messages can only be sent to people on a friends-list) to appease most parents. For the web savvy out there, it's easy to see the connection with sites like Second Life or Cyworld. Webkinz is building the next generation of users one plush animal at a time.

Note: The Webkinz does not actually 'do' anything, i.e. it doesn't have any animatronic capabilities.

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8 comments about Webkinz Hippo

1.  avatar Amanie  Nov 29, 2006 2:11pm

I find this whole Webkinz thing really strange. I think kids that grow up in this virtual world, amassing goods, amassing connections and all else that comes with social networking isn't doing anything except start the popularity contest well before highschool.
2.  avatar Omar  Nov 29, 2006 3:13pm

I don't know where you went to school (actually I do), but popularity contest started WAY before highschool. Popularity starts as soon as you're born if there's more than one child in the family, or as soon as you go to day care or pre-school. So I don't think that kind of thing should be really a concern when it comes to these toys. I don't see why there has to be a concern. They're fun. They're animals. The games are probably pretty engaging and teach children useful skills.
3.  avatar Amanie  Nov 29, 2006 3:29pm

I don't think popularity was a major factor in 3rd grade. It at least shouldn't be a major factor and I especially don't think it should be encouraged as these are. I really think social networking sites geared towards 4 year-olds is out of line.
4.  avatar Amanie  Nov 29, 2006 3:32pm

That's totally the trick, too! Masking games as educational make marketing so much easier! And so everyone's all happy because their kids are playing educational games but in the meantime kids become mass consumers before they know how to tie their shoes.
5.  avatar Omar  Nov 29, 2006 5:22pm

Of course popularity was a factor in 3rd grade! You were never picked on? If you're the popular one then you probably weren't even aware of it. And "masking", I don't get it. Either a game is educational or it isn't. If you're worried about mass consumerism then the biggest culprit is the television. By far by far by far.
6.  avatar springsummer  Jan 04, 2007 1:28pm

Does anyone know how much it will cost to renew registration for webkinz after the 12 months is up? If my daughter is going to buy one with her own money, I want her to start saving up for the renewal
7.  avatar Amanie  Jan 04, 2007 1:35pm

springsummer, I hate to be the bearer of annoying news, but it seems that webkinz with only let you renew an account with the purchase of a new webkinz and adopting it. Here's the blurb from their site: Currently, you can only renew your account on Webkinz World by purchasing a new Webkinz or Lil' Kinz toy and adopting it as a pet.
8.  avatar christinemommy  Apr 16, 2007 8:23pm

ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS KEEP THE CODE YOUR PET COMES WITH.. DONT THROW IT AWAY... YOU NEED THIS TO RE-REGISTER YOUR PET.. GOT TO HOME PAGE AND ENTER ALL INFO USER NAME AND PASS WORD BUT GO TO ADOPT A NEW PET YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO RENEW IT THAT WAY... GOOD LUCK... MY DAUGHTER 13 AND SON 3 BOTH HAVE THEM AND LOVE THEM!!
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    Key Features:

    Manufacturer Ganz
    MSRP $9.99
    Recommended Age 2 and Up
    Release Date Jan. 1, 2005

    Sponsors

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    12373 views and 34 edits (see all)
    Created: 11/29/2006 - 11:03
    Modified: 02/17/2008 - 11:29