{"id":14066,"date":"2022-05-13T15:48:24","date_gmt":"2022-05-13T15:48:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.waynedenner.com\/?p=14066"},"modified":"2022-05-13T15:53:54","modified_gmt":"2022-05-13T15:53:54","slug":"children-joining-metaverse-with-imvu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.waynedenner.com\/blog\/children-joining-metaverse-with-imvu\/","title":{"rendered":"Children Joining Metaverse with IMVU"},"content":{"rendered":"

HEY EVERYONE!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s dive right into IMVU.<\/strong><\/p>\n

IMVU <\/strong>is a virtual \u2018Sims like\u2019 online world and social networking site available online via website and on apps.\u00a0 It was originally released in 2004 but made a resurgence during Covid.<\/p>\n

The game allows users to create their own avatars to explore different \u2018metaverses\u2019 and interact with other players all over the world.<\/p>\n

The IMVU slogan is: \u2018Chat with people all over the world, meet people near and far.\u2019<\/p>\n

It promises players that they will \u2018never run out of new people to meet\u2019 and have the chance to \u2018discover dressing up, chatting and having fun\u2019 and \u2018celebrate\u2019 as \u2018anything could happen!\u2019 IMVU has an age restriction of 13+ but the advised age for the app is 17+. \u00a0It has over 2 million users in the UK and around 50 million worldwide.<\/p>\n

This app is centred around creating a virtual life where you can go to parties and clubs and dress differently than you normally would.<\/p>\n

There is a \u2018chat now\u2019 feature which allows two people to be put randomly together in a chat. They can post pictures of their avatars and send chats to each other. This is risky as kids don\u2019t know who they are talking to. There\u2019s no chat filter so while in discussion with people on the platform, there\u2019s nothing to prevent your child from being exposed to swear words or sexually explicit conversation or keep them from giving out personal information.<\/p>\n

Anyone can talk to a child and obtain their personal details and then possibly send them pictures outside of the platform.<\/p>\n

There are also \u2018Live rooms\u2019 where users can engage and entertain an audience of thousands. The audience chat, interact, and tip the host of the room. To make money, the game charges users who want to host an event a subscription fee to create those experiences, design the space, and market it through chat rooms.<\/p>\n

Some of the chatrooms also offer special dating and matching services.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Shopping is a huge part of the IMVU platform, and IMVU credits can be purchased. There are lots of in-app purchase options where players use credits to buy extra features for their avatars.<\/p>\n

There have been reports of bullying of players who do not spend enough money on clothes and furniture. Credits can also be used to upgrade relationships with other members.<\/p>\n

Users can create their own badges which they can give to friends in IMVU. These are created by uploading jpg images, which means any photo can be uploaded including offensive imagery.<\/p>\n

Tips for parents and carers<\/strong><\/h1>\n

From the information above, I\u2019ll assume you\u2019ve made up your own mind on the risks involved with children and particularly younger teenagers on IMVU so I\u2019ll forge right ahead with some tips for safety for users.<\/p>\n