Awesomely Interesting Article on Virtual Worlds

Youth-Oriented Virtual Worlds to hit 20 Million Users in 2011

53% of all American child and teen Internet users will visit virtual worlds at least once a month by 2011 says eMarketer Senior Analyst Debra Aho Williamson. Right now that number sits at about 24%, with only 9% visiting a virtual world weekly. In her new study, Kids and Teens Online: Virtual Worlds Open New Universe, Williamson, whose recent background is in studying social networks, lays out a detailed survey of the new, fertile market. “Several marketers have already been active in virtual worlds for kids and teens,” Williamson said in an interview with VirtualWorldsNews.com. “These companies are on the vanguard. Definitely from a marketers’ perspective, virtual worlds haven’t gotten to the point of social networks. Everyone wants to use social networks to reach a youth audience. Virtual worlds are where social networks were a year or two ago.“

“I think we may well see a growth trajectory similar to what we’ve seen for social networking,” continued Williamson. “Virtual worlds can be an addictive, immersive, compelling environment. They offer a lot of things for kids and teens to do. Just over half of kids and teens will visit virtual worlds at least on a monthly basis by 2011. Already
you’re seeing session times of a half hour, an hour, and ten hours a month. 2008 and 2009 are where the growth is slightly bigger than ‘10 and ‘11. You’ve got other media companies jumping in the game. Disney is getting aggressive. MTV and Nick are getting very aggressive. Right now what we’re seeing is a lot more development activity and figuring out how a virtual world fits into media assets. I think as we get into ‘08 and ‘09 is when you see a lot of traction.”

The study contains a wealth of data on virtual worlds and virtual worlds usage with the goal of providing marketers who may not be involved in the space an opportunity to hit the ground running. One interesting note for developers, though, is the way that marketers are still approaching virtual worlds.

“Probably less than 10% of [Whyville's] ad revenue is banner ads,” COO Jim Goss told eMarkter. “We throw them in to speak the language that Madison Avenue is used to right now.”

The common wisdom in virtual worlds circles has been that billboards and banner ads are an ineffective way for marketers to approach the immersive space, but Williamson still sees them as a reasonable way to test the waters.

“From a virtual world perspective, there are so many better ways to engage a user than to stick up a billboard or slap a banner somewhere,” she said. “If you think about it from a marketer’s perspective, though, if they want to experiment and don’t have the time or budget to run a full-fledged campaign, a banner ad or a billboard is still better than
nothing.”

She explains that the current level of technology adds to the approach. That’s one reason why certain companies, like Scion, have taken vanguard approaches to virtual worlds and invested in novel
marketing strategies, but others have held back.

“I remember the early days when people were complaining about the effort it took to build a web page,” Williamson said. “It was a lot of money and development time. I see something like that happening in virtual worlds. There’s a lot of development that needs to be done to create a large campaign in virtual worlds. It’s different. It’s not turnkey. The technology is different for all the worlds. I think that’s where you see the push back from companies that don’t have the time or resources for a full campaign.”

That will change, though, as the technology improves and as ad spending increases for the media that surrounds virtual worlds, says Williamson.

“What I really found was that virtual worlds are really at a sweet spot,” she said. “They are attractive to young teens and kids who are into games, but they’re also attractive to older teens who are interested in communication and socializing. They’re really at the
intersection of gaming and social networks. Both of those things are available in virtual worlds.”

eMarketer predicts that the worldwide ad spend for social networks will hit $3,603 million in 2011 when video games will receive $1,938 million.

For a more detailed report, check out the full study. Also, I’ll be moderating a panel on “Kids and Teen Worlds - What You Need to Know” at the Virtual Worlds Fall Conference & Expo, October 10-11 at the San Jose Convention Center. I’ll be joined by representatives from Stardoll, Nickelodeon, Habbo, and Neopets, so it should be an informative session.

Virtual Worlds News: Youth-Oriented Virtual Worlds to hit 20 Million Users in 2011

BAH! THEY’RE TELLING ALL THE SECRETS. No, not really– but still. Hahaha.  In all seriousness- it’s exciting to see all the opportunities and possibilities associated with Virtual Worlds and that people think they’ll be so huge still in a few years.  Rock on.

I’m quite jealous of the author of the this post & their pane at VW in the Fall out in San Jose. BAH!

Which is why anyone in New York intersted in VWs should come to the Tween Mashup this Friday and say hi to me as I’m exploring Virtual Worlds with an interesting panel who are doing their own unique interpretations of VWs! (DO IT! YOU KNOW YOU WANNA GO!)

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Opinions: Harry Potter Vs the Purists.

In a recent interview, a character actor from Scotland who portrays the popular Inspector Rebus has launched an odd attack of sorts on those in the education field who favor children reading the Harry Potter novels. The Scotsman reports that actor Ken Stott (who also appeared in “The Girl in the Cafe” directed by David Yates) said the following during an interview with Radio Times:

“If we’re going to make a fuss about children reading
books, do it with Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials books, not JK
Rowling.

“I can’t believe idiot educationalists are praising children for turning up at school and reading Harry Potter.”

In a small bit of irony, the Rebus series are based on works by author Ian Rankin, a longtime friend and neighbor of J.K. Rowling in Edinburgh, Scotland. Mr. Stott continued on in his interview about his future, noting “I’ll remain a grumpy old man.” We wish him continued success with his grumpiness!

The Leaky Cauldron: Actor Says Educators who Praise Children for Reading Harry Potter are “Idiots”

Interesting. Philip Pullman, whose book series “His Dark Materials”– in my opinion– is fantastic, intriguing, yet not quite appropriate for children (brings up a lot of questions about “Church” since it’s basically the enemy in the books… that’s sometimes hard to deal with especially in some US households).

But I’m not going to pick apples vs pears on this one. He’s entitled to his grumpy ole opinion.

I think I’ve mentioned this before– but I’ve come across the Anti-Potter Posse before. When I was in my senior year at Millikin, our Children’s Literature & Reading class (for educators) posed a project of controversial elements. We were allowed to pick our topic, and I chose the Anti-Harry Potter complaints.

You see, I had just finished my student teaching at a wonderful Lutheran School in town. The parents were VERY interested/concerned with various elements of entertainment. Spongebob, for example, was not allowed in many of my 3rd grader’s homes due to his occasional “sponge butt flashing”. Yes, Spongebob does occasionally appear with a rounded nude butt. Apparently admitting to the fact that all humans or human-based characters or many creatures on earth have a BUTT is against moral rights. Whatever, that’s a parents choice not mine.

But aside from Spongebob, Harry Potter was NOT NOT NOT allowed to be MENTIONED to children. Why? Because, as one very outspoken young lady told me, “Harry Potter is a devil. He works for Satan.” Right. Hmm. Interesting.

At the time I was very frustrated with the fact that parents might block their child from reading about this imaginative and vivid world. I felt like the kids were denied this right to imagination and creativity. But alas, as I realize now, it’s a parents decision, no matter how much I may be confused or in disagreement, it is what it is. <But now you realize why I’m so careful about the “His Dark Materials” series. If people feel this way about HP, how are they going to feel about Mrs. Coultier & her church stealing the innocence from a child’s soul, leaving them almost dead? Exactly.

So anyway– I was in the computer lab at Millikin surfing the World Wide Web for some discussions by parents, educators, etc regarding the Harry Potter controversy. I had found the information about the book burning down south and so on. And then I came across a site entitled “Parents Against Potter: Stopping Harry from Infecting Youth” and immediately thought “jackpot” - I was sure this would be the place for devil’s advocate ramblings (devils, heh, ironic use just now).

So, I click the link– and all hell breaks loose. THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS of pictures flood my screen of porn. Yes. Porn. They came so quickly I couldn’t stop any of them. Have you every played Solitaire or Hearts on the comp? You know at the end, once you win, when the cards come streaming down like card waterfalls? Yes– now imagine that with the most horrendous porn possible. It gets better– foamy-covered earphones don’t really do very well when the sound they’re trying to withhold is on full blast of insanity. Right, now along with the horrible porn covering my computer screen (instead of the valuable insights from the anti-potter crowd) a voice rang true, shouting “LOOK AT ME! LOOK WHAT I’M STARING AT! AREN’T I BAD? I’M A BAD PERSON!” on loop. So everyone in my computer lab turned and stared as the world within my comp went nutso.

What was I to do? Control/alt/delete didn’t work. Neither did holding down the power button on the comp tower. So I crawled (mortified) under the computer lab table and yanked the entire power cord out of the wall… thus shutting down all 15 computers attached to the same cords.

Not a good day for me.

So whenever I see people shouting “nay! bad! boo” at Harry Potter I remember this story and think three things:

a) Awww… I like Harry Potter

b) Um… don’t say anything, people who hate the Potter have a lot of conviction and they’re entitled to their own views… which I don’t want to be a part of.

c) I wonder if they tried to join that Anti-Potter posse on the web and had the same porn attack? If so… I bet my embarrassment story beats their’s. Ha! Nothing like a roomful of college kids during finals lose the power on their computer as they’re finishing up projects. That doesn’t win anyone friends.

And That’s The End of Izzy Story Hour.

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Facebook ain’t so safe for the tater tots!

Facebook falsely advertises the safety of its social network and fails to respond to complaints about obscene content and sexual predators in a timely manner, says the New York Attorney General, Andrew Cuomo. Cuomo’s office has launched an investigation into Facebook, charging that the site is rife with “widespread” pornographic content and that minors are easily and regularly contacted by adults trolling for sex. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has sent a letter (PDF) to Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg detailing its complaints, along with a subpoena for company documents.

“My office is concerned that Facebook’s promise of a safe web site is not consistent with its performance in policing its site and responding to complaints,” Cuomo said in a statement issued yesterday. “Parents have a right to know what their children will encounter on a web site that is aggressively marketed as safe.”

The OAG launched a preliminary review of Facebook over the past several weeks by posing as underage users between the ages of 12 and 14, and discovered”deficiencies that stand in contrast to the reassuring statements made on the web site and by company officials.” Specifically, the OAG’s undercover accounts were approached almost immediately by adults clearly looking for
something more than friendship, and the accounts continued to receive repeated
messages along the lines of “i’d love to get off on cam for you hun ;P” and “call me if u want to do sex with me [number deleted] ok.” The OAG says that several other undercover accounts received solicitations of a “more graphic nature” that it prefers not to repeat.

Minors also have no problem finding lewd and sometimes even pornographic images on the site, according to the OAG, with several Facebook groups actively encouraging members to participate. Users under 18 can join any of these groups—for example, the groups “Porn Star Trials” and “TPG Trailer Park Girls 1″ actively recruit Facebook members to “try out” for porn films. There are also slightly less nefarious groups, such as “Best Wet T-shirt or best boobie pic contest,” and “*For girls that love to share naked pics*,” says the OAG.

But the crux of the complaint isn’t over the existence of the groups or sexual messages, it’s over Facebook’s (lack of) response to them. The OAG says that, when undercover investigators complained to Facebook about the messages and other obscene content on the site, site administrators outright ignored most of the complaints. In other cases, Facebook acknowledged the messages, but then proceeded to take no action. This appears to go in direct contrast to comments made by Facebook’s chief privacy officer, Chris Kelly, in a recent article by the New York Times. Kelly is quoted in the article detailing Facebook’s protections for its under-18 users, saying that communication is limited to those who are affiliated with the minors’ networks (such as their schools). Kelly also said several times that Facebook responds “quickly” to complaints about inappropriate comments and obscene messages, which the OAG found to be blatantly untrue in most cases.

“The OAG is especially concerned these problems are not being adequately addressed and will worsen over time,” reads the letter sent to Facebook. The company cannot continue to represent itself as a “safe” social networking site while failing to respond to complaints, says the OAG. Included
with the letter is a subpoena, asking Facebook to provide all documentation relating to complaints it has received over inappropriate content, as well as any responses.

Facebook said in a statement, seen by IDG News Service, that it took the OAG’s complaints “very seriously” and that it would work with the office on safety matters. “We strive to uphold our high standards for privacy on Facebook and are constantly working on processes and technologies that will further improve safety and user control on the site,” said the company.

NY Attorney General: Facebook not “safe” enough for minors

The eye of mordor has moved from myspace… and now fixes itself onto facebook, and rightly so it seems. Parents– if your child is under 16 and they want to use a social network… go to IMBEE or YOMOD!

There’s really nothing to say here except:

a) talk/educate/learn about these places with your children;

b) don’t trust what you can’t control;

c) these situations will never really go away unless you find a way to confront through education & prevention with your own child;

d) facebook should sort itself out - if it’s true and they’re not responding to these claims as promptly as they should… then YIKES. Word on the street has it that Microsoft wants to buy facebook for big, big, BIG bucks. If that’s the case– Microsoft, you better get on that safety thing. Seriously.

But really… when I first read this, all I could think of was “well, duuuuuh” and “derrrr” and other such immature retorts.   I like facebook.  It feels more organized and structured than myspace (which is one giant advertisement now).  But at the same time– kids over 16 are all hopped up on sexuality (thanks, MTV– god, I sound like my mom now) and they’re going to chase things they’re curious about.  We can keep chasing them away and trying to steer the universal course of 16+ teens, but they’re going to keep finding ways to find their smut (no matter how good they are, and how embarrassed they get if they’re caught).  It’s a shame there are so many p-verts out there trying to exploit the teens, and how many uneducated teens there are jumping into the exploitation like an after school swimming pool party.  It reminds me of Newport Harbor on MTV and how quickly those kids will stripe into their tiny bikinis and talk about “hot tubbing” like it’s the new code word for make-out sessions (or worse)– and how many of the p-verts with problems are watching these shows and getting the encouragement to intereact with the teens online.  Oh, tangents… anyway– parents & teens alike just need constant education about the intricacys of online safety & WHY they need to be safe & WHO might be collecting info on them & WHAT might happen if they speak to some of these jerks contacting them on facebook.

Clearly the problem won’t really go away, we just have to find a better way to prevent and protect and educate.

So I may use my immature retorts of “duh” and “der”, but when it comes down to it– these reports, these articles, these warnings have to keep coming– because clearly we’ve not shouted enough about this for everyone to catch on… or perhaps they only thought it was in regards to myspace.

Well, ladies and gentlement… its not just myspace, or facebook– it’s all of them.   Social Networks = open playground for all types of interaction.  And no matter how we try to block problems, the problems will come in like wolves in sheeps clothing.  Once again– don’t trust ANYTHING you can’t control.  And even then, carry some caution!

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The Littlest Pet Shop joins Virtual Worlds…

Hasbro Joins the Toy-Based Virtual Worlds Race

Hasbro has announced that it will be competing against girl-focused, toy-based worlds like BarbieGirls.com, Be-Bratz.com, and Ty-Girlz.com. Hasbro calls its Littlest Pet Shop line the “fastest growing girl toy brand,” and it will now be bringing them online with the VIPs (Virtual Interactive Pets). The VIPs follow the MyePets.com line of focusing on plush toys with codes that open a virtual world for children to play on, though the VIPs are apparently aimed at tween girls. Unlike some of the other worlds, the VIP virtual world is available only through the purchase of one of five $14.99 plush toys. Users can buy extra decorations with Kibble earned through mini-games, but there’s no word on whether users will eventually be
able to purchase extra Kibble or add-ons on their own.

Hasbro’s LITTLEST PET SHOP Jumps into the Digital Plush Arena with Virtual Interactive Pets

Fastest Growing Girl Toy Brand Launches “The Cuddliest Pets on the Net”

PAWTUCKET, R.I.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE: HAS), announces the launch of LITTLEST PET SHOP VIPs (Virtual Interactive Pets), a line of five cuddly, plush pets that bear secret codes on their collars to unlock a virtual world where tween girls can interact with the digital counterparts of their plush pals and explore a fun online VIPs destination jam packed with exciting games, activities, and community events. LITTLEST PET SHOP VIPs will be unleashed in the New
York Metro market and online in mid-October 2007 followed by a global retail launch in early 2008. Each LITTLEST PET SHOP VIPs plush pet will carry an approximate retail price of $14.99 and includes exclusive access to the VIPs virtual world which will continuously evolve with
new and exciting elements.

The initial LITTLEST PET SHOP VIPs line will include a dog, cat, turtle, penguin and panda. Upon getting home with their new cuddly plush pet, girls with parental permission will plug in the secret code found on the collar at www.littlestpetshop.com, receive a VIPs Adoption Certificate and watch their pet come to life online. The fun really begins as they begin to customize their pets and environments, earn “Kibble” points to keep pets happy and healthy, play mini-games and
engage in fun individual or community based activities.

“This is a very exciting time for the LITTLEST PET SHOP brand,” said Valerie Jurries, vice president of marketing for Hasbro’s girls brands. “We wanted to take this incredibly popular property and do something truly spectacular for the millions of girls who have come to adore the LITTLEST PET SHOP line over the years. Creating an engaging and meaningful online connection between girls and their LITTLEST PET SHOP pets was an instinctive next step. VIPs delivers a rich, immersive
online world where girls and their pets can have endless hours of fun exploring, playing and bonding.”

Blending Traditional LITTLEST PET SHOP Play with Online Fun

Just as they do with their real world LITTLEST PET SHOP pets, VIPs will allow girls to customize homes for their pets as well as personalize the pets with the latest apparel and accessories purchased
at virtual stores and boutiques with VIPs currency called Kibble. Kibble points are earned based on keeping pets happy and healthy by completing activities such as going for a check-up at the “Get Better Center”, going to the playground for some exercise and fun, playing mini-games or simply exploring the environment for hidden surprises.

VIPs owners will have a blast playing the 16 mini-games or jumping into the 10 different activities available in the LITTLEST PET SHOP VIPs virtual world. The games, complete with high score rankings, include hang gliding, snowboarding, skateboarding, lily pad leap, sundae making, scavenger hunts and jigsaw puzzles – just to name a few. Activities include anything you can do in or around your VIPs home from decorating a room, to playing in your sandbox or taking a ride on a
merry-go-round.

Come One, Come All

A virtual world wouldn’t be complete without knowing what’s going on in your community. The LITTLEST PET SHOP VIPs world will include fun and informative community features such as “Breaking News” and a “Community Calendar” alerting girls to the new and exciting activities
that are unfolding, “Pet of the Day” a random spotlight on a pet based on photos submitted by VIPs owners; and “High Scores” to see how you and your pet stack up against others in overall rankings of the 16 mini-games.

Pricing, Availability and System Requirements

LITTLEST PET SHOP VIPs will be available on retail shelves exclusively in the New York Metro area in 2007 beginning in mid-October as well as online at www.hasbrotoyshop.com and several mass market retailer websites such as Wal-Mart and Target. A global retail launch, including 18 new VIPs, will follow in early 2008.

Pricing for LITTLEST PET SHOP VIPs is $14.99 (MSRP) and includes a plush pet and exclusive access to the VIPs online world. For girls who want to “try before they buy,” VIPs also includes a free, limited-play experience. Girls simply go to www.littlestpetshop.com where they will land at a VIPs Adoption Desk. By clicking on “Borrow a Pet” they are able to check out the virtual world before jumping in with four feet.

LITTLEST PET SHOP VIPs is both PC and Mac compatible. Systems must be equipped with a keyboard, mouse and monitor as well as an Internet connection, broadband recommended.

Virtual Worlds News: Hasbro Joins the Toy-Based Virtual Worlds Race

First of all– I gotta say, I LOVE the Littlest Pet Shop toys. They’re design, their play pattern, they’re general idea is brilliant. I always want to buy them… and then I remember… wait, I’m nearly 30 and have to stop buying toys at some point because someone is going to call me out on it (you should see my desk, it’s a playground of awesomeness). Basically, I always wanted a turtle– we grew up with turtles in the pond behind our house, and every time we caught one, the raccoons would eat it out of the shell during the night (gross!). And I wanted a lizard too– but they creeped me out (much better in “theory”). So, when I’d see them in the stores (when I was younger… sure, high school but– hey! stop laughing… I like toys! ) I’d think it would have been a great idea to buy one of those toys and pretend… after all, imagination is so much better than real life, hahahaha!

But seriously, if you were going to ask me what my top five CURRENT toys are– The Littlest Pet Shop is in there.

So, on one had, it makes sense that LPS is moving online. In fact, I’ve had SEVERAL conversations regarding my confusion as to WHY they’re not online already in this VW booming market. It’s right up their market– buying things to take care of little pets and keep them healthy & happy. Besides– it seemed to me that the makers of Bratz(tm) had kinda swiped the “pet” idea from Hasbro and beaten them to the virtual world with myepets.com. I’m always saddened when people have to get on the “me too” bus and mimic other properties. However! I shall ease up for now, because… who knows… maybe they’re taking their time building a rock star site instead of just KICKING one out quickly. I mean– look at the Pirates of the Caribbean MMORG… that’s going to be AWESOME and we’ve been waiting for it for ages (along with another MMORG that Disney is coming up with that I can’t mention but I’m uber-giddy about). I’d much rather quality than quantity.

Having said that, I’ve got to say… I’m not so impressed by what I’ve read. Now, shame on me, I know– I should wait until I have a moment to play in it… sure. But in MY opinion, if you’re going to introduce something new & great to the world, don’t you want it to stand alone? Unique! To me, it sounds like this might just be a direct copy of webkinz (stuffed animals) and bebratz.com/myepets.com (can’t get in without buying first) and the rest of those bandwagon VW’s. Bah! Again, I’d rather see people try something new & unique. We’re flooding the market with direct knock-offs. Luckily I have talked to SEVERAL rockstar new companies bringing awesome new ideas to the Virtual World table.

As for the term “bandwagon”, you simply must know that I use it in an endearing voice. Got to get on the wagon to travel somewhere new, right? Right.

I’ll report thoroughly once I’ve had a chance to jump through. Joi & I are podcasting our first official, official podcast this evening (our first 2 attempts are dreadfully hilarious… too many tangents). It should be up this week.

Plus– I’m moderating a panel on Virtual Worlds this Friday at Tween Mashup in NYC. GO IF YOU CAN, AND MAKE SURE TO SAY HI. I love meeting new people, talking shop(!), and I don’t bite (especially if you have a cookie for me, lol).

technorati tags:virtual, worlds, hasbro, littlest, pet, shop, entertainment, youth, online, social, networking, ypulse, mashup, tween, marketing, licensing, toys, webkinz, bebratz, myepets

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Buy One, Get One Free: Laptops to Educate the world!

Buy a Laptop for a Child, Get Another Laptop Free

By STEVE LOHR
One Laptop Per Child, an ambitious project to bring computing to the developing world’s children, has considerable momentum. Years of work by engineers and scientists have paid off in a pioneering low-cost machine that is light, rugged and surprisingly versatile. The early reviews have been glowing, and mass production is set to start next month.Orders, however, are slow. “I have to some degree underestimated the difference between shaking
the hand of a head of state and having a check written,” said Nicholas Negroponte, chairman of the nonprofit project. “And yes, it has been a disappointment.”

But Mr. Negroponte, the founding director of the M.I.T. Media Laboratory, views the problem as a temporary one in the long-term pursuit of using technology as a new channel of learning and
self-expression for children worldwide.

And he is reaching out to the public to try to give the laptop campaign a boost. The marketing program, to be announced today, is called “Give 1 Get 1,” in which Americans and Canadians can buy two laptops for $399.

One of the machines will be given to a child in a developing nation, and the other one will be shipped to the purchaser by Christmas. The donated computer is a tax-deductible charitable contribution. The program will run for two weeks, with orders accepted from Nov. 12 to Nov. 26.

Just what Americans will do with the slender green-and-white laptops is uncertain. Some people may donate them to local schools or youth organizations, said Walter Bender, president of the laptop project, while others will keep them for their own family or their own use.

The machines have high-resolution screens, cameras and peer-to-peer technology so the laptops can communicate wirelessly with one another. The machine runs on free, open source software. “Everything in the machine is open to the hacker, so people can poke at it, change it and
make it their own,” said Mr. Bender, a computer researcher. “Part of what we’re doing here is broadening the community of users, broadening the base of ideas and contributions, and that will be tremendously valuable.”

Click here to read more about this:

Buy a Laptop for a Child, Get Another Laptop Free - New York Times

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Careful UGC fans– there’s a reason why you have to take it seriously!

Creative Commons (And Virgin) Sued For Teen’s Photo Being Used In Ad Campaign

from the sue,-sue,-sue dept

Stack writes in to let us know that the family of a teenager in Texas has sued Creative Commons, Virgin Mobile Australia and Virgin Mobile USA because Virgin Mobile Australia happened to use a photo of the girl in an ad campaign in Australia. The photo had been taken by the girl’s youth counselor, who posted it on Flickr, with a Creative Commons license saying the
photo could be used with attribution (the ad apparently includes the Flickr URL, so it appears to be following the terms). There are some bizarre parts to the story. It’s not clear why they’re suing Creative Commons, since the photographer (who is apparently suing as well) chose
the license in question. If he didn’t want to have the photo used, he shouldn’t have picked a CC license (or should have picked a more restrictive CC license). It’s certainly ridiculous to then blame CC
because the guy didn’t know what kind of license he was choosing or how
it could be used. In fact, the original photo is still using a CC Attribution 2.0 Generic license. You would think before suing the guy would have at least changed the license. It also doesn’t
make any sense that the family is suing Virgin Mobile USA. It’s an entirely separate company from Virgin Mobile Australia. Also, the family says that they’re quite upset because people can now “Google” their daughter. Yet, the ad doesn’t have her name, and the photo was
put online by the youth counselor, so it’s not clear how they could be Googling the ad (and, of course, by suing, the family is only drawing a lot more attention to the ad). Finally, the family is complaining that this is defamatory and somehow insulting — yet it’s
difficult to see how the ad can be construed as insulting. It’s hard to see such a case getting very far — though, it is interesting to see that Virgin Mobile was using CC Flickr photos in their ad campaign.

Techdirt: Creative Commons (And Virgin) Sued For Teen’s Photo Being Used In Ad Campaign

Okay there are two BIG lessons we need to recognize from this:

1. Do NOT put pictures of anyone under the age of 18 on your flickr page unless you are a) related to them (and even then, be careful), b) have some sort of blessing from the parent.

By uploading photos into these crazy new photo communities (i do love me some flickr though), you are basically licking and sticking everyone within your photo on public space. Why not take your photos and tape them to telephone poles, yeah?

It’s one thing to take pictures and keep them in a photo book or frames, etc, because you have control over who sees/doesn’t see the pics. I mean– I was a camp counselor for like 12 years… you’re going to take pictures of last days at camp, or incredible camp fetes, etc. You’re experiencing the summers just as they are. Teachers are the same– your class is your working world… you take pictures of them and post them around the class and school. It’s not scary people, it’s life. You’re allowed to be a part of it. But what is scary is putting pictures of kids who do NOT belong to you in public places– thats’ not your decision. You need sign offs. You need permission. Photo communitites– or basically ANYWHERE on the net– that’s a free for all. I would make the overall statement: NEVER PUT A PICTURE OF SOMEONE UNDER 18 ON THE NET. PERIOD. END OF STORY. Of course, exceptions– parents, the over 13 set, etc– they can make that decision for themselves.

2. COMPANIES– UGC from ANYONE under the age of 18 is a very, very careful place to tred. Why? Because they’re minors. Once a minor crosses that 18-year-old point, they can turn around and point out people they think may or may not have taken advantage of them in youth. 18 = adult, can make decisions for self… not held legally responsible my parents. So in an 18-year-old’s eyes, any decision made by their parent while they were minors can be questionable.

A parent may have signed off on some random UGC for their child… but if that kid turns 18 and is a bit sue-happy… they have about an inch of room to fight back. Bad news bears, ya’ll.

This doesn’t happen often. It’s very rare… but it still COULD happen. Don’t let it happen to you (says the daughter of an Insurance Agent, lolz… my pops taught me well). Wouldn’t YOU hate to be the exception to the event?

With UGC you want to make sure you are NOT stealing from kids (no matter how you try to spin it). You want to make sure everything is made VERY clear to both the kid AND the adult from like– moment one of UGC invitation.

UGC is a great opportunity for any & everyone. Just be straight with yourself & your company & your brand if that’s the route you want to take…. There’s more than just social responsibility at stake.

Protect yourself and your users… that should be a mantra for anyone exploring the online space for U18.

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Kid Nation gets PANNED!

Anthem for ‘Nation’: All hype, no entertainment
By Robert Bianco, USA TODAY

Leave it to CBS to create a better fuss than a show.

Last year, the network stoked a free-publicity controversy with Survivor’s racial divide; this year, it’s child labor and kiddie exploitation for Kid Nation. And once again, the show turned out to be far more tepid than its pre-show heat would have led you to believe. Whatever dangers the kids on Nation may have faced, the only risk posed to viewers by last night’s premiere was death by boredom.

It was like watching some other family’s incredibly dull home movies — assuming in your home movies, the kids make speeches and 15-year-old boys get to hit 11-year-olds without an adult intervening. But then, what would you expect? They’re kids, exhibiting the kind of behaviors, good and bad, that kids do in real life.

That’s not awful or particularly surprising — but it’s also not even remotely entertaining.

The nation-building involves 40 kids, ages 8 to 15, sent to turn a ghost town into “a town that works.” Last night, that meant learning how to cook, milk goats, use an outhouse and deal with the class divide.

For anyone who was expecting originality — well, you have to admit that was awfully childlike of you. There are a few new twists: No one gets booted off, the council can hand out $20,000 gold stars. But otherwise, it’s bits and pieces of every reality show you’ve ever seen, from the trumped-up conflicts to the talk-to-the-camera complaints.

As for concerns over the children’s welfare, odds are the dangers are, in the mysterious way of TV, both fake and real. Fake because there were always adults off-camera; real because they weren’t close enough to prevent some unexpected injury.

For TV, the issue isn’t so much what happened to the children in New Mexico; it’s what’s about to happen to them now. Nation took a group of children who have no clear idea what image they project in person, let alone on TV, and labeled them forever as “the brat,” “the cry-baby,” “the nerd” “the full-of-herself know-it-all” and “the bully,” all for purposes of profit. And what’s worse, anyone who has ever watched a reality show knows these children were cynically, crassly cast to play these roles.

It doesn’t help Nation to claim that you can find equally horrific examples of kid behavior on shows like the Saturday morning Survivor rip-off Endurance— and not just because “Johnny does it, too” has never been much of a defense. The crime is exposure, and however bad it may be to act
foolishly on Saturday morning TV, it is much worse to be humiliated on the top-rated network in prime time. Which is why we fuss more over CBS.

The network should take that as a compliment. And then begin acting like it deserves one.

Anthem for ‘Nation’: All hype, no entertainment - USATODAY.com

WOW!

Okay, so I promise, this is the last time I’ll cover “Kid Nation” — I just thought it might be intersting to pass along a scathing critique. Wow.  Hate radiates off it, right?

The funny thing is– where I see positives, this article clearly saw boredom and reality-show-reruns. Perhaps it’s just because I’m a pro-kid experience person (from a kid perspective), who really wants all youth to beat the system and show others how great you can be when you just TRY.  I’ve been on the sideline, lucky enough to have seen tater tots do AMAZING things in life… and I only wish others have too.  From camp to the classroom to the soccer field to online community interactions, kids can be inspirational and strong.

Success is different to different people.

I do agree, however, that the stereotyping is inappropriate. I didn’t remember seeing that happen… I guess in actions, it was pretty obvious. But you know what? Spend some time on a playground. Kids sort each other out in groups, they sort themselves into groups. And although it’s WAY wrong… it’s the social pattern. Sometimes you have to be in some sort of box before you can break out of it.  Kids are learning. They’re exploring. They’re going the simplest/obvious route and trying to find themselves from there.

I agree “Primetime” is a bit of an “interesting” spot.  And I do fear the reprecussions on the kids themselves.  Will they have their tv personas follow them from this experience?  Or can they shake various “stereotype” behavior before the seasons end?  Hmm. Dunno.  On the other hand– what’s wrong with showing adults how amazing kids can be? They’re reflections of us, no matter HOW many times we try to say they aren’t.

You have NO idea how many adults I hear pigeonhole kids into things so far beneath what they can do. Staged or no– it’s nice to see strong kids making it work… even if they WERE hand picked to do such a thing.

So… again, you may disagree with me to the fullest extent. And I may be the only person out there– but on behalf of the kid-like audience, I enjoyed the show simply for the fact that kids –at heart– want to do amazing things. And even though we can’t let thousands of kids run off into the desert “Holes” style… they can have role models on television who are TRYING to make a difference OTHER than those silly young actors who are constantly turning into train-wrecks.

Anyway… wrong or right– thats my take, and that’s what I’m walking away with.

technorati tags:Kid, Nation, CBS, TV

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Watched: Kid Nation Highlights

I watched it, did you?

I know there’s been a lot of poo-pooing about this show from like moment one.  I’ve been skeptical & excited & worried & confused, etc.  But I was hit with this devil’s advocate-like epiphany last week.  There are so many lovely people concerned with the overall ethics surrounding the concept & production - I thought I’d step off that bandwagon and hang out, check out the other side of “Kid Nation”– the side that somehow got the show on television in the first place.

So– my first thought: If I were a kid, I’d be DYING to be part of it.

That’s the type of kid I was (and still am for that matter).  You name the show: Double Dare, Reading Rainbow, Discovery’s Endurance (this show reminded me a LOT of that), those PBS documentaries where kids would get hauled off to the Amazon for a study about rainforest, etc… Any opportunity to stand up and try to be bigger than I am– to be a hero, to be an adventurer, to be INCLUDED… rock on.

I know I am not going to sway anyone from watching it, or liking it, etc.  I respect everyone fighting the GOOD fight in protecting the integrity of youth, etc.  But here is why I’ve decided to like the show as a VIEWER :

•  Mike, 11, one of the 4 chosen leaders of the town, standing up to Greg, 14– who was trying to “help” situations by displaying a few bully-like tendancies.  Mike shot him down! –Greg is the biggest/oldest kid there… and he was shut down by Mike.  It was amazing.  Chalk one up for the younger/less “street cool” kids.  After their little “show down” in front of the whole town– Mike courageously & awesomely walked up to Greg and shook his hand, hoping everything was “cool”.  Mike reminds me of a kid hero in tween lit books– smart, a bit nerdy, strong moral core developing faster than his body can catch up, the kid who stands up for the weaker kids, trying to be the best by all.  Like Bastian from The Neverending Story (great book, btw)
• Michael, 14, noticing the chaos at a town meeting– takes matters into his own hands and gives a rousing speech about how this is THEIR chance to show the world that kids CAN do anything!  Take that anti-kid nay-sayers!!!!!!
• Jared, 11.  Anything out of this kid’s mouth is priceless.  Oh, my… he’s unique… but that’s why he’s my favorite.  I always chose these “imaginative” kids to be in my group in camp.  They beat to their own drummer– and thats just a joy to see.  The whole “dark chocolate” purchase was fantasic– as well as his book choice.  I’d love to know if he actually hacked his way through Shakespeare on his own.
• Jimmy, 8, making the grown up decision “I’m just not old enough to be here.”  GOOD ON HIM!  And then to have the guts to shoot down Greg, who offered (sweetly, I thought) for Jimmy to be his “wing man”.
• Sophia, 14, being such a great young lady– responsible and kind… and when she won the star and went to call her mother?  I was sobbing.  SOBBING.  Her voice when she first spoke to her mom was priceless.  I bet her mother is just bursting at the seem with pride.
• The kids choosing the MUCH needed pottys over the tv, despite the look of longing as they stared at it.

Anyway– love the show, hate the show, ignore the show… regardless.  From a public viewing standpoint, it’s AMAZING to find YOURSELF being empowered and PROUD of these kids representing the public/youth.

I know, I know, I know… it’s probably staged at times, and you’ve got editors selecting the right bits to share to evoke emotional response from viewers.  But think about that– that in ITSELF does deserve a bit of credit.  Why?  Because: The Ripple Effect.

Hundreds of families/kids will watch this show.  Kids, tweens, teens often mirror/mimick/ learn from others to find their way.  I’m interested in the good this show MAY do for the viewers… to watch and learn and explore.  Kids expressing themselves, trying to make a difference, building confidence, stepping up to bullies, acknowledging help, taking care of one another– THAT is the side of Kid Nation that I’m interested in.

Will this show build role models?   I don’t know.  With all of the demanding-question marks looming from the ethical theory of this show, the criticism, the frustrated media, the safety, etc… only time will tell.

Or maybe I’m just hoping for the best.  It wouldn’t be the first time.

Rock on! Yomod hits the net

Yomod, A New Youth Entertainment Network Aimed At 8-14 Year Olds Debuts
New site allows kids to post and watch cool videos, find friends in a safe environment

LARKSPUR, Calif. - September 20, 2007 – Yomod, LLC announced today that it has launched its new safe social media site for kids 8-14 years old, Yomod.com. Designed to reflect modern youth culture, Yomod is one of the first independent media and entertainment sites geared toward 8-14 year olds. Yomod is a free online media publishing and social networking service which offers its registered users a place to post and watch age-appropriate videos, create and personalize their own Yomod page, write their own blog and find and network with friends. Yomod.com will also offer an age-appropriate online entertainment channel, which combines licensed animated an! d other produced videos with user-generated video submissions for both registered and non-registered users. Yomod is one of the first sites for the 8-14 year old demographic, exceeding current online privacy and safety standards, including the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Yomod gives kids a fun, independent, online experience and gives parents peace of mind, knowing that Yomod is a safe choice for their kids.

“We recognized that there are very few quality sites for the 8-14 year old market and that there are no such sites that give kids the power to select and interact with the media content on the site,” said Brian Anderson, President of Yomod.  “There’s no doubt this is a computer savvy demographic, and we felt they needed a place online they could make their own. We all understand the serious risks to children online. Yomod is meant to be fun for kids, but it is also meant to give parents a safe option when their kids approach them about using the Internet.”
 
To register on Yomod, kid and parent provide certain information to Yomod, including parent’s credit card number which Yomod uses to verify parental consent and help keep Yomod safe. Once registered, the parent is not required to do anything more—Yomod staff review all content on the site. Registered uses can do the following:

• Personalize: Users can create their own and view other member profiles in the closed network
• Share: Yomod members can share their  photo collection with friends, write a weekly blog on his or her favorite television show, and or submit a video for publication on the public entertainment channel
• Interact: Members can view, rate, comment on and share with friends a weekly animated video series or a funny photo gallery published on the public entertainment channel.

“At Yomod we place the responsibility on our team to ensure the safety of our users,” said Mr. Anderson. ”We want to not only be the premier online destination for kids, but, as an organization, a team of people that do everything they can to keep kids safe.”

Yomod is available today for free at www.Yomod.com <http://www.yomod.com/> .

About Yomod.com
Yomod.com is one of the first websites built for people around 14 years old and younger that combines elements of community, video and photo sharing in a fun and safe environment. Founded in 2006, Yomod is privately held and headquartered in Larkspur, CA. For more information visit www.yomod.com <http://www.yomod.com/> .

WELL DONE, TEAM YOMOD!! I can’t wait to check it out!!!!!!

The Mod Squad: I love My field of choice.

Okay… I have to say it.

Within the last few months I’ve had the priviledge to run into community people… most of which were in “the biz” (as in entertainment). You’d think rival ‘biz’ companies people would be a bit more cautious… a bit more dog-eat-dog… ESPECIALLY since communities are the “it” thing of the moment.

But you know what? No!

I have met some AMAZING peeps in the community biz (and the media blog biz too). No one has been all “hush-hush” or super secretive. We’re all in this together– trying to do the BEST by kids & brands & companies.

Community Managers, teams, etc: we’re people people. Hahaha, sounds odd, right? People people indeed! Seriously

We’re mediators– the voice from the brand to the people, and the voice from the people to the brand, trying to do the best by all. We understand the need from the end user, the bond between fans, the adoration for the product, the power of the people, and the need to be safe and well looked after.

Rival Company Moderators CANNOT really abide by negative outlooks. Why? Hahaha- because we have too many other things to worry about! (I sound like my mom there, go fig). We’re keeping kids safe (or completely out of the system), keeping identities guarded, protecting the brand, inspiring everyone, engaging communication, managing areas, keeping the ALL important balance of management (brands/community government) and the users (people/enthusiasts). We all have something to share. It’s like rival school teachers… you never really heard anything about beat downs with North School & South School’s librarians did you? Heck no.

Like teachers, we deal day in and day out with (ahem) “creative” new interactions between our audience. We can only learn from each other and better the situations we come across through learning experiences of others.

Anyway, enough of this “moderator” love fest. I just really hope– if you deal with communities online or work with a community manager– you can realize what a GREAT field it is to work in right now.