| The Webkinz are coming! Like hundreds of other fad | | | | on this phenomenon? |
| toys before them, parents are hearing more about | | | | Pros |
| Webkinz these days, not from the news, but from their | | | | - The Webkinz fluffy animal is not a real pet and |
| kids on the playground. Webkinz are yet another, not | | | | doesn't shed, eat food, bite, bark, wet, need a walk, or |
| especially cute, plush animal. They come in all varieties, | | | | inconveniently die. |
| including ponies, pandas, monkeys, unicorns, and dogs. | | | | - Webkinz world may be more attractive than "shoot |
| Manufactured by Ganz, the Webkinz retail for around | | | | 'em up" computer games |
| $14-$15, when you can find them. What makes them | | | | Cons |
| different though is their "secret code" ID that is | | | | - The child's imagination and creativity is limited by the |
| imprinted on their collar tag. The ID gives the owner a | | | | software. |
| free year of access to Webkinz World, a site created | | | | - Danger of online community taking the place of |
| just for kids. Webkinz World has games, contests and | | | | face-to-face play date interaction. |
| a virtual version of the their real stuffed animal. It also | | | | - Commercialization - Webkinz is a commercial toy, as |
| includes a "social networking" functionality that is safe | | | | you would expect. |
| for kids because they are limited to pre-set phrases to | | | | - The parent should be aware that the purchase of |
| communicate. | | | | the toy only includes a one year access to the site. |
| Much like a Tamagochi, the hit toy a few years back | | | | All things considered, dad may find this to be a fairly |
| for high tech kids, the online Webkinz pets use artificial | | | | safe way to teach basic computer involvement to a |
| intelligence to simulate living creatures. Kids actually | | | | small child and relatively harmless. At the same time, |
| report back that the pets are "kind of alive." If you had | | | | dads should make sure they feel comfortable with the |
| or have a tamagochi in the house, you probably | | | | Webkinz stories and that they are aligned with the |
| wondered whether it was good for the child, when | | | | family's values. |
| you weren't scheming how to end its endless | | | | There's nothing that says that game play is better or |
| beep-beeping. | | | | worse when done on a computer versus on the floor |
| Is a Webkinz like a pet? Should you let your child get in | | | | with a board game. |