Webkinz World

Webkinz World is a popular online, virtual universe, or an MMORPG—Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game. Hosted on Webkinz.com, the game allows users to register Webkinz brand stuffed animals and "adopt" their virtual counterparts.

Webkinz stuffed animals may be purchased online or in brick-and-mortar shops. The only aspect that distinguishes Webkinz from traditional stuffed animal lines is a number—each animal comes with a unique 8-digit access code to the website. Once registered, a child "feeds" and cares for the toy's virtual counterpart in the Webkinz World universe. The game has its own online economy, in which users earn and spend KinzCash. Webkinz codes are only available upon purchase of a Webkinz pet and they expire after one year unless another pet is acquired.

Also available are smaller versions of the pets called Lil' Kinz as well as larger Webkinz Signature Pets.

Webkinz World has been criticized according to two main concerns: First, that its online chat features could potentially expose children to predatory users (the site does institute a variety of restrictions and precautions meant to prevent this). Second, that the all-encompassing universe, requiring children to mind the health of their "pets," could become addictive and disruptive to childhood social development.