Joho the Blog
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January 04, 2007
Disney is launching a social network for kids. My knee-jerk reaction: Yech. Gavin O'Malley at Online Media Daily has a more considered reaction. He points to the apparent failure of Wal-Mart's social network for kids ("The Hub"—an awfully grown-up name), and worries that having parental controls will kill the Disney effort as well. I agree with Gartner's Andrew Frank that it's likely to be all product placement all the time...and, if so, I hope kids reject it. But, of course, I haven't seen it and don't know what it'll be like. Maybe Disney is smarter than that. [Tags: disney social_networks gavin_omalley ] Posted
by D. Weinberger at January 4, 2007 11:21 AM
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Comments
If it had been developed by Disney Digital, the online group in the 90s that was seperate from the parent company I might have more faith, but consider they killed that section I expect it will be more like the Barbie playland website my 6 year old niece enjoys using.
The most evil vibe I ever got from a lobbyist in DC wasn't tobacco guy or RIAA (though it was second) it was the Disney person.
Posted by: Thomas | January 4, 2007 12:14 PM
Club Penguin (http://www.clubpenguin.com) operates a nice environment that I can best describe as "Second Life for Kids". Seems safe and (surprisingly) no ads. If you have some young ones at home I suggest you check it out (I am not affiliated with Club Penguin other than having two kids that love it).
Posted by: John | January 4, 2007 03:13 PM