BBC Planning Persistent Online World for Kids

Posted on January 23, 2007

The BBC networks' kids channel (CBBC) is planning to launch a virtual world for kids. However, it will not have its own currency like the popular Second Life virtual universe. Kids will be able to have avatars and create and share content within the virtual world.

BBC News reports on the new online world. A spokesman for CBBC World says, "It will give children a chance to move around a safe, secure world where they can not only interact with familiar characters but have an opportunity to make that world a more fascinating place with their own imaginations."

The new CBBC World is expected to launch this fall. Ben Metcalfe has an informative post about the new project from the BBC. LThis will probably be a fun world for kids but it may not be something that will meet the expectations of game and tech bloggers. It doesn't sound like it will be anywhere near as complex as Second Life.