Parents face real bills for fantasy real estate

Teenagers are using their parents' credit cards to buy thousands of dollars' worth of virtual property, including real estate, on websites such as Second Life.

NetSafe chief executive Martin Cocker says parents are shocked because they don't realise it's possible to buy something that doesn't exist in the real world - and they don't know how fast it's possible to spend.

Members of sites such as Second Life (www.secondlife.com) create an animated persona called an avatar which can run, jump, fly, dance, and express emotions. They can also build fantasy locations for socialising.

Many such venues have shops, including real estate businesses.

At Second Life - which has become 'inhabited' by millions of residents since launching four years ago - "land" can be bought with real dollars. A 6.5ha "island" costs $US2220 with additional monthly land maintenance fees of $US390.

The teen-oriented site www. habbo.com offers VIP membership for $8 a month which provides fashionable outfits and new dance moves for avatars. More dollars buys pets, participation in games, and decorations in the rooms at the Habbo Hotel.

Cocker says that about two years ago NetSafe discouraged young people from spending on virtual sites, but the organisation has changed its policy.

"As ridiculous as I think it might be to spend $20 on a virtual couch for a room, that's my opinion. For the parents, they think there's nothing to show for it, but for the young person it's about making progress in their social network."

Cocker says parents should set spending limits.

NetSafe is researching how many young people experience bullying, fraud and objectionable content on virtual world websites and how they respond.

Internationally, the virtual world industry turns over hundreds of millions of dollars a year. Most sites are based in the US.

- © Fairfax NZ News