I have written a lot about Club Penguin over the past few years. I’ve featured them on Babble and GeekDad, and I even wrote about their commitment to online safety in my book. Yes, I’m a fan.
I took an amazing trip to Club Penguin headquarters in Kelowna, British Columbia and there I met the people behind the penguins. Well, not literally behind them—that would be cold and full of yellow snow, but the people that create, operate, and maintain the Club Penguin site(s) and all that goes with it. They were wonderful, and in meeting them I realized that Club Penguin cares about the safety of our children just as much as we do (give or take). They take it very seriously.
Club Penguin is the top massive multiplayer online (MMO) game for kids in the world. It’s a virtual thing, but it is also very much in the real world. That is, not only can players enjoy a safe, interactive, super fun experience on the web and mobile, but they can also be part of social good by participating in the many Club Penguin events addressing global citizenship. It is downright inspiring.
The Club Penguin headquarters are as fun and whimsical as you would expect, but for one disappointing detail: it isn’t made from blocks of ice, and we all know it should be.
Here’s the thing, if you are on the fence about letting your children join a gaming community that emphasizes social interaction, you are not alone. We don’t let our kids use any social media because we are the WORST PARENTS EVER. In fact, the only site we let them visit with any sort of real-time social component is Disney’s Club Penguin. It puts the safety and happiness of children first, and that lets me sleep at night. Well, that and four bourbons.
Check out Club Penguin with your kids. Play together. Laugh together. Do good together.
I was a guest of Disney Club Penguin at the Club Penguin Media Summit in Kelowna, Canada. All opinions are my own. Photos courtesy of Disney.
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