Parents need to know that this virtual world with chat and games charges up to $5.95 per month for access to premium content. Kids can play a more limited version for free. There's a store that sells plush toys (plus other merchandise), which can be used to activate a short-term premium membership. The site does a good job with safety issues -- there are thorough guidelines for kids and parents, and parents must activate kids' accounts before they can log in. They're also given the option of restricting their kids' Toots time, which can help considering that this site can be addicting. Chat is filtered, and moderators hang out wherever the kids can go. Kids can send messages to their buddies on the site. Younger kids, especially sensitive ones, can feel rejected if their requests to chat or become friends are ignored.

Families can talk about online safety and what's appropriate to share on a Web site and setting computer time limits. You can also discuss how to apply the social skills you learned in the virtual world to life offline: How would you approach a new friend? What would you do if someone was bothering you? Families can talk to older kids about how sites market their own merchandise.