NSPCC to inhabit Habbo Hotel to spread anti-bullying message
Whilst it’s more fashionable for companies and charities to get in on Second Life, there are other virtual worlds that are getting a presence from large organisations.
The UKs leading children’s charity, the NSPCC, is to set up a temporary home in Habbo Hotel, a virtual community aimed specifically at children, so that it can host events and activities that involve kids in its anti-bullying campaign.
Statistics suggest that the UK version of Habbo Hotel gets 750,000 unique visitors aged 11-18 every month, which is pretty impressive.
“It is imperative that we talk to teenagers in their own environment, much of which is online,” said Emily Knee, NSPCC’s digital project manager.
This could be the first of several visits that aims to raise awareness of the charity and provide greater interactive with an age group of great significance to the charity. In May, the charity will highlight its campaign against child abuse.
Ironically, some reports suggest that online bullying is a growing problem, as more teenagers’ lives are lived out online.
