Club Penguin is designed to be a kid-friendly virtual world. As an online gaming network as well as a social networking site, Club Penguin carries potential risks just as any other social networking site. Children can choose a penguin, give it an identity, and then begin roaming the Club Penguin virtual world, interacting with other penguins through chat, games, sending greeting cards, and using a set of predefined actions. Users earn virtual coins which then may be used to buy clothing and accessories for their penguin and furniture for their homes.
Club Penguin is designed for children aged 8 to 14.
Club Penguin does list safety measures that are in place to protect children while using their site. Children are able to chat using "ultimate safe chat" and "standard safe chat." The ultimate safe chat option allows children to interact with other users, but children can only communicate using a predefined set of responses. This way children are not able to give out personal information or receive inappropriate messages. In the standard safe chat option, children can type their own messages but these messages are subject to a filter to catch possibly offensive words and phrases. Moderators are available to help users report abuse.
We suggest that you read through these measures and decide how comfortable you feel with your children using this site.
How can my children be safer while using a social networking site?
What can parents do to keep children safer while gaming online?