Innovative game highlights safety issues for young bloggers 1 December 2005 SPOTMYBLOG is a simulation game aimed at children aged 9 to 12. The players create a fictitious blog, and make choices that have consequences later in the game.

Internet safety can involve some complex issues and decision-making.  SPOTMYBLOG makes it fun to experiment and learn about the specific issues relating to blogs.

The questions facing the gamers include:

• Should you use a nickname?
• Is it wise to put photographs on the blog? 
• Can you use music on your blog? 
• Should you allow advertising?
• Should you accept comments from others or not?

With so much to think about, it's a good thing the gamers can count on Remco and Gitta, two characters who can be called on to give advice to the young players.

An extensive file is provided for the educators so they have the necessary understanding of the issues to be able to answer and explain the issues.

The surprising and instructive discoveries made by the players at the end of the game are the result of the choices they made earlier. The game the game is an exercise in alertness for everyone who wants to create a real blog (or who has already made one).  The game can be also be played in a group, which enables some extra features. 

The blogs that are created in the course of the game can also be published on the internet, more particularly on the web site of Safer Internet Belgium.

What is the background of this game? Web logs are extremely popular among children and teenagers. They are often used in the same way intimate diaries were in the past. But there is a major difference: weblogs are online, which means that very personal information is available worldwide.

Unfortunately, many young people do not acknowledge or are little aware of the risks of their exposure on the net. And they do not realise that every owner of an internet connection has access to their blog. That is why this game is fulfils such an important role: improving their vigilance while using the internet.