Animal Jam

Okay, so some of you may know that I once played Animal Jam, where I was known as (______), I worked for a popular Jammer, helping to answer questions about the virtual world on her blog. When I realized that I was so attached to Animal Jam, I deleted my account, stopped working for the Jammer, and stopped going on any AJ related blogs. I was so addicted to that virtual game, that I spent all of my computer time on it, something that I now regret, I could've done more meaningful things.

Psalm 34:4,5,8 NLTI prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!

I'm not saying that everyone who's playing AJ should quit, if you enjoy the game, then feel free to keep on playing, but some things on the game that weren't once there, are now visibly apparent:

1. Online "dating"- when I was on AJ, there was a hearts icon, a face with two hearts for eyes, my friend and I thought it could be used as saying something like "I love reading", or "I love cheese", but many misused it, they treated the icon as a dating symbol, something that they used to show that they really loved that person. I have a younger sibling, and she witnessed some of that disgusting behaviour going on, AJ is a children's site, helping with education about the wondrous things in our world, but now? Now it's turned into some online dating site.
2. Swearing- many users have a free chat option, something that allows them to say whatever they want, not exactly everything, but most. You weren't allowed to cuss, but some have found ways to, for example, a swear word may be replaced with a rhyming word, or a word that sounded similar to the cuss, a rhyming word would do the trick.
3. Scamming- some may say, "if you give me a rare item, I'll give you something rare back!", but really, they'll just take your rare, and keep it, for nothing in exchange.
4. Cyber bullying- this occurs everyday, on any website, and it sometimes can occur on AJ, someone may say to someone else, "You're ugly.", if someone is bullying you, report the user immediately. Animal Jam needs to be a safe world for everyone.

Romans 12: 2

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Again, I'm not saying just because I posted about this, means that you can't play AJ anymore, Animal Jam can be a safe world if everyone helps out a little bit.