Module 7: 82 Webkinz later...

This has been a really great week because I've been able think more about my social media journey and to get to know more about my boyfriend's journey as well. Before we moved in together this past July, he warned me about his love for playing World of Warcraft. This is the only game he plays and he only has the time to play it on his days off and sometimes for a little bit when he gets home from work. This is his hobby. My hobby is reading and watching too much television. His hobby is World of Warcraft and I refuse to judge him for this.

I mentioned in my paper that at one point he was addicted to the game and some may think this is a cause for concern. However, I am not concerned because the game does not consume his life like it  did when he was a teenager.  Jared has a  job that he loves, a better relationship with his parents, friends that he cherishes, and an overall better outlook at life. I don't mean to make it sound like a "happily ever after" situation but my point is that people are able to grow, learn better habits, and still play video games. I think it's time to end the stigma that gamers just sit in their basements playing video games all day.

While I was writing my paper I also thought more about my social media/gaming journey. I completely forgot that there was two social networking/gaming sites that I used way before Facebook.

WEBKINZ

and

CLUB PENGUIN

Not sure if anyone used these sites or their kids used them but everyone in middle school used them back in 2007.

The premise for Webkinz was that you bought a stuffed animal in person and then you took care of it online.  You were able to make friends with other members on the site, play games, decorate your house, clothe your animals, etc. There was so much to do and my friends and I loved it. But it was a bad habit considering each Webkinz was about $14. By the end of my Webkinz craze, I had about 82 Webkinz and now they are all in a box in my parent's attic. Yikes.

Then there was Club Penguin, basically a kid-friendly online chatroom. You could buy a premium membership and get cool clothes and special items for your igloo or you could stick to the free version. My parents absolutely refused to buy anything having to do with online games. I actually think I wasn't allowed to be on Club Penguin but I played anyway...My mom approved of Webkinz because she thought they were like Beanie Babies. If only she knew!

 I have memories of going on these sites with my friends in middle school, playing games, and just having a blast. I surprisingly never had any creepy encounters on either Club Penguin or Webkinz. The creepiest thing that happened would be when my friends and I would try to hack into each other's accounts. This caused some major rifts but looking back now it's pretty funny. I'm also surprised that both sites are back up running because they both were shut down a few years ago.

And now here is a picture of a young Whitney on her 12th birthday so happy about the amount of Webkinz she received. What would I do without older sisters who take embarrassing pictures of me?!

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