Animal Jam

Animal Jam is a browser-based kids’ game developed by National Geographic. Children choose their avatar from 8 different animals and begin their adventures in the world of Jamaa. The game is centered on exploring the vast game world, playing the game’s numerous mini-games and buying newer, kitschier merchandise for their animal avatar. Kids also often engage in elaborate, creative roleplaying. Parents may wonder about educational content promised in the game’s ads. It’s there, but it’s not enforced, and kids can very well run around the game world without learning much about animals or geography. The game simply seems like a virtual world where children can learn much about online interactions (which are well-moderated) and trading instead – all very valuable skills, but it’s important that parents shouldn’t be deceived about the game being educational. It can be such, but is not necessarily so.