Kid's area
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Nice idea but maybe a bit tricky to keep it safe and secure?
[quote] The next generation of kids will be playing exclusively on the internet[/quote]
I hope not , you really can't replace the experience of otb play with any internet site
Even thought I agree, TalFan, I would agree with Fotoman. Just look at a game like Poker or Bagammon. It's almost exlcusively played on the internet now.
But that's irellevant.
It sounds like a very good idea. I don't have kids myself, but implenting a good admin system could provide the security to prevent harasm.
I don't know where you decide the age that someone is a child or an adult, but if it is 18 and over I have already played some kids chess on this website. I found out because I asked what they did when they weren't playing chess, also some indicate that by their birthday. Just a couple of times. Also the ones that play on this site are very knowledgeable about the game.
To define kid: a pre-teen is what I had in mind. A place where kids and teens can meet and play this noble game, be able to chat and build relationships. Of course there are plenty of nay-sayers, those that say things "can't be done", "never will work", "takes too much effort".
Do you want chess to be put out of business by "Halo 3"? Is chess looked at by the modern generation as "outdated"? Is it something just the geeks do?
If we don't make it easy and fun for them to play this game, they won't play it. There are plenty of other things they can spend their time doing that are easily accessable. Warcraft, Dungeon Siege, Half-Life, Call of Duty, Halo, all have live time chat, real characters.
I have a feeling it could work. When and if this "kids Site" came I would probably let my brother touch the computer to play and not just the board
I would agree, if I had not experienced what pre-teens can do to a community when I played an MMORPG. Yes, you can seperate them into two groups. However, it is inevitable that many will lie about age and come to the teen+ section, either out of boredom, curiosity, or just seeking a challenge. Having so many underage in a community which includes teens and adults will make it less mature and irritate the teens and adults. It is also possible that a teen or adult will go to the kid's area for the same reasons and/or more, and that their immaturity would rub off onto the teen or adult. Also, including children makes it easier for internet predators to get their hands on a child for whatever reason they have. The kids may doubt how dangerous sharing personal information with strangers on the internet is, and sooner or later, chess.com will develop a reputation for an immature community and for having many internet predators. Much less people would join chess.com, while many may quit. The site may have to shut down because of lack of members.
It is an interesting idea but the context have to be safe for children and that people will need to determine the age between a child (0-11) and teen (12-17) and adult (18+). So we need to question the rights about the children.
Fotoman, I think with your whole "kudos" and "pink chess pieces" , you're going a little overboard. Good idea all around, though.
Yes that is going a little to far
I was reading a forum thread where a parent was asking about how he could teach his 7 year old daughter how to play chess. Then it came to me: why not have her have her own account here? And why not have a kid's area, where kids can play kids? Have kid resources, be able to have pink chess pieces, get kudo points (extra credit for nice moves, good questions, consecutive wins, etc), print certificates. The next generation of kids will be playing exclusively on the internet, why not foster their learning very early HERE?