Gaia. Gaia. Gaia.

Parents need to know that while this site may attract young teens with its lively graphics, games, and opportunities to socialize with other kids, if you don't turn the filter on, adult language and topics are common. There's no doubt that your teen will stumble upon threads discussing "masturbation myths and fads" and "WTF moments" in a matter of minutes. The site also pushes kids to buy buy buy with their Gaia Gold virtual currency. The positive side of that is it teaches kids about money -- and to save up for something they like.

Log on to GAIAONLINE.COM and play games (slots and jigsaw, among them), chat with other 13- to 18-year-old users, collect downloadable wallpaper for cell phones, and buy virtual items in virtual stores with Gaia Gold currency, which is earned with every session spent on the site. As with most virtual worlds, the first stop after your free sign-up is creating your avatar. Via the anime-style character -- whose hairstyles and clothing you can customize -- kids can chat in different rooms.


Though the site appears to be kid-friendly and moderators are supposed to be trolling the boards for inappropriate images, racist and sexist language, and adult content, if you don't use the word filter it's rampant with such fare. For example, on a recent visit, the following threads appeared: "Your best WTF moment was…?" "What are your fave pick-up lines?" "Masturbation Myths and Fads" and "Poll: I wanna have sex with a boy." Perhaps the moderators were asleep at the wheel or their safety claim is just that -- a claim. Either way, it'd be good to sit down with the kids as they surf the site or just steer them away. There are plenty of others with cleaner content and just as robust audiences.

I recommend this website for Ages 15–18.
--> www.gaiaonline.com <--

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Todd L. what you just wrote just sounds scary... it looks like such a kid site, but I guess not. Internet is a dangerous place for kids...

6/7/10  •  Votes (0)

Alexis P. Awww! I used to play gaia back in the day. Poking trees for money was so much fun when you're 12 and have only 50cents to your name! It sucks that it has changed so much, but I agree that the animated atmosphere makes it look like a child any age could use it. The moderators really need to step up their game, or at least say that the website is for older teenagers. Something.

Thanks for warning us, and hopefully parents who frequent this site, know. :D

8/6/10  •  Votes (0)

TekkAndTenn N. I beg to differ! GaiaOnline is a very safe place, and it is honestly the parent's fault if they let their children look at it. I agree that some material is PG-13, but if you are 11-13 you should have filters on. Not everything is "Your best WTF moment was…?" as you make it out to be. Most of them are legitimate conversation. GaiaOnline is a place for very mature 12 year olds and 13-19 year olds. Stay Safe and Good Luck.

11/11/10  •  Votes (0)

It's an alright site, a lot of the forums dip a little too deeply towards inappropriate for a PG-13 rating--but it's mostly because the site moderators haven't gotten around to removing that thread or post yet.
Their rules are very firm and they do everything in their power to protect against cyber bullying and harassment. If you are unsure about this site as a parent--check it out FIRST before you let your kids play, and make sure you turn their filters on (they have a curse-word filter in settings that you can turn on or off, turn it on and keep it on!)
Also warn your kids about cyber predators and other general internet safety tips.

It's a good site especially for older teens and adults with LOTS of income--spending money in their cash shop is the only way to get the "good" and exclusive items--sadly everything nice is too expensive to buy with their virtual currency.

As a now ex user of nearly 8 years, I can say it's a good site, but, I had to leave it because I was tired to my wallet being drained every month--there are things I'd rather spend my money on now.