Previously, interaction solely occurs through the interaction of virtual pets. This could have been only through battles between users’ virtual pets, but free chat was not available for users due to the youth of the users. However, after many years, they’ve decided to add in chat communities that allowed users to freely talk with other users, regardless of the content. Again, users under the age thirteen are required to have parental consent. The following features of contacting among the community are:

• NeoMail -> just like regular email, but is in-game communication; players write messages to others but may restrict who can contact them
• Neoboards -> discussion boards for on-topic discussions
• Guilds -> message boards consisting of users with similar interests

Another interactive feature that is still available today is the ability to talk with your opponent when in battle between your Neopets. Again, this feature used to be only allowed for the endings of battles, and the winner was allowed to say a short phrase to their losing opponent when they obtained victory. This would allow for healthy competition without any harsh reactions.

Battle Time
Source: Neopets

Now there must be restrictions on the interactions that occur on the Neopets website since this is considered a “family friendly” place. Neopets staff are constantly making sure that there is only appropriate conversations and information being exchanged on the website. Such topics that are restricted include dating, romance, politics, and religion. Neopets users are also encouraged to report any inappropriate interactions.

Now in a different aspect of interactions, it is important to think about the actual interest of owning a virtual pet and commmunicating with it and others over the Internet. But, it was very difficult to find any information about the implications of owning virtual pets. I did, however, find an article regarding the use of virtual pets through the Internet.  In the article Are Virtual Pets as Good as the Real Thing? Patti Ghezzi talks about how many people, including her friend, use virtual pets as a way to determine if they are properly qualified to own a real life pet.

However, it is always a question between children and virtual pets. Parents choose to have their children own virtual pets so that they may have fun with it and interact with it whenever they choose. But some wonder if there should be a regulation with virtual pet caring, in the sense that parents should keep track of how their children care for the virtual pet. This may allow them to deterimine if they are responsible enough to own a living animal. Virtual pets cannot be accessed any other way other than the Internet. Also, users contact one another about strategies to better care for their Neopet.

Summer Time w/ Neopets
Source: Neopets

Although the Neopets website is solely in English, which restricts the user population, there are still copious users who are from different countries. Such English-speaking countries include Canada, Australia, Singapore, and New Zealand, according to the Company Estimates in 2003. This interaction would not be possible if it wasn’t for the expansion of Internet and the culture that it has produced all over the world.

In so many ways Neopets is a unique experience and interactive site that engages many populations of ranging ages. It provides this safe “family friendly” community that allows all to care and love their very own virtual pet, while being able to interact with other users to talk about Neopets related topics.