Like other virtual worlds targeted towards the tween crowd (Webkinz, Neopets, Whyville, etc.), Moshi Monsters introduces a younger audience to a 3D digital universe mashed up with a child-friendly brand of social networking. It’s no Facebook, but they can tack notes on friends’ walls and meet up for play dates in “Monstro City.” This demographic will certainly be well versed in online interaction by the time they are teenagers, and perhaps fuel the need for some avatar action on MySpace, Facebook, or whatever is next.
Moshi Monsters even serves up a little learning on the side, allowing you to complete puzzles and problems to score “rocks” which you can then use to purchase things in the game’s store. And here I had hoped that in the future learning would be just like Storylords. Alas …
Why do we care? These kinds of social networks are revolutionizing youth interaction and education. The flat web of today will no longer be enough for these hyper-visual consumers of tomorrow.
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