Wal-Mart has launched its own social networking site — SchoolMyWay.
The site seems to be targetting “tweens” (kids aged eight to twelve) and has rules in place to reduce the risk of predators. For example, Wal-Mart will screen all content, parents will be able to have profiles removed, and members are not allowed to email each other.
What does Wal-Mart get out of it? Well tweens are notorious for their consumption of clothes and other products, and guess what Wal-Mart sells?
The site has been panned by some critics. Personally, I like the idea of a safer environment for kids in this age group. Let’s face it, MySpace is definitely not for tweens. On the other hand, I’m more concerned that this yet another channel for big business to reach a young and impressionable group of consumers.
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July 24th, 2006 at 2:35 am
thats stupid, I know this would flop if it was anyone but walmart.