another video game under the radar: Clash of Clan

Let's look at the popular online game Clah od Clan and ask ourselves some question before letting our children get exposed to it...

Clash of Clans is a strategy game where players can construct and expand one's village, unlock successively more powerful warriors and defenses, raid and pillage resources from other villages, create and join Clans and much, much more. A multiplayer game, Clash of Clans allows players to build their community, train troops, and attack other players to earn gold and elixir while building their own defenses to protect against attackers. Players can also use the chat feature to communicate with others and join clans to aid each other.

So already, this is a game of war, I get it. You build, you attack and you get attacked.

Paula Marner wants parents to be careful with "free" gaming apps for their kids.

The Canadian mother's warning comes after she discovered that her twin 7-year-old boys charged $3,000 worth of in-app purchases while playing Clash of Clans on her iPad, according to CBC News.

Marner thought it would be fine to let her boys use the app. What she didn't know was that even though Clash of Clans was free to download, players could make in-app purchases.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/23/3000-itunes-bill_n_3640842.html

Clash of Clans Revenue at $654,000 Per Day, Third Best Performing Freemium Title Worldwide
Read more at http://gamingbolt.com/clash-of-clans-revenue-at-654000-per-day-third-best-performing-freemium-title-worldwide#zBa7zRefjTzkrUTi.99

You may also want to read what this teacher say about her experience with the game: http://www.coetail.com/cgomez/2013/05/19/why-i-clash-with-clash-of-clans/

You may also wnat to read how this video game can be a great opportunity for pedophile: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/zekepipher/2013/12/clash-of-clans-and-other-portals-of-predation/

and how about cyberbullying:

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2014/05/23/cps-mom-students-are-bullying-jewish-son-through-online-game/

http://thecybersafetylady.com.au/2013/05/start-your-kids-early-on-social-media-and-chat-apps-really/

Over all, I would personally recommend to have a good conversation with any kid playing or wanting to play that game. First about the value that this game carry, are they positive value?

it is important that the child stay aware:

• In app purchases are tempting and can lead to pestering (or a big bill if in-app purchases aren’t switched off in parental controls)
• Addictive structure (bearing in mind, the debate about “computer/gaming addiction” rages on)
• Global Chat allows contact with strangers; predators have been reported to use the site
• harassment/bullying  that can emerge at school between students who share a clan, etc
• Exposure to swearing and nastiness in global chat and clan chat (there is a filter, but itdoesn’t appear to be effective)
• Emotional arousal