Archive for Games
PBS KIDS GO! recently launched its Digital Citizenship Initiative that features several new resources. Among them, a free interactive, online game called Webonauts Internet Academy. The game is designed to teach kids how to be safe and respectful online. The game gives kids 8 to 10 years of age an opportunity to have some fun while exploring what it means to be a good cyber citizen.
The game’s motto: Observe… Respect… Contribute…
As new recruits to the Webonauts Internet Academy‚ players are sent on training missions on the planet Bambu. While there‚ they encounter a mysterious enemy‚ The Great Static‚ who is set on stealing the Bamdudes’ cookie recipe. During the course of the game‚ players receive on-the-job training and help the Bamdudes save their cookie recipe!
Players answer questions that are centered around the following topics: good citizenship, identity‚ privacy‚ credibility and Internet safety.
The game takes about 20 minutes to play and you have the opportunity to login to save your game – you can easily pick up where you left off.
Parents can learn more about the Webonauts Internet Academy by clicking here. Parents can also find helpful supporting information on PBSPARENTS.org, including tips for kids’ Internet use from Common Sense Media.
The Webonauts Internet Academy can also be a great tool for classrooms. Teachers can click here to access the helpful tips page for educators.
Privacy Playground is a situational game and quiz for kids (ages 7-9) from Media Awareness Network. The game addresses situations that kids can easily be lured into; such as the marketing end of the Internet. This is the first game we’ve seen that presents strategies for kids to deal with both pop-up and side bar ads. The game also promotes reading skills because students will see dialog bubbles as they hear the words being read.
