At a time when Internet capabilities and programs keep expanding at a dizzying rate, Palisadian George Zaloom has created Facechipz, a closed networking Web site for tweens (children 8 to 13 years old). The site was launched on November 1 and already has more than 1,000 youth registered. Zaloom, who worked as an executive producer of the ‘Wonderful World of Disney,’ was the production executive on DreamWorks Animation’s ‘Kung Fu Panda’ and produced the 1992 comedy hit ‘Encino Man.’ He’s also the father of four daughters Reilly (19), Nell (17), Sophie (15) and Maddie (10). His children have always spent time on the computer, but as cyberspace has grown, so have the dangers. His three oldest daughters are saavy enough to be on Facebook, but problems arose when Maddie wanted to join the site. ‘I’m bored with Webkinz,’ Maddie said, and then asked, ‘Can I go on Facebook?’ Webkinz is a popular online Web site, developed for children, that combines a physical toy with the online world. As a closed site, Webkinz is also popular with parents because strangers cannot use it to communicate with their children. By contrast, MySpace and Facebook are open sites. To belong to either site, a person simply has to supply a name, an e-mail, birthdate and sex. A photo is not necessary, but many are posted. ‘In open social networks, strangers can hook up with you,’ Zaloom said. ‘A 50-year-old male could post a photo of a cute boy and lie about information like his birthday, saying he’s 13.’ On MySpace and Facebook, a person can chat’typing messages back and forth with friends. A prompt points out common friends and asks the user if he or she would like to be friends with that person, too. Zaloom notes that while most parents know their kids’ friends, problems may start with the ‘fringe friends.’ If a 13-year-old is friends with someone who is related to a 19-year-old, that older person can become a ‘friend.’ ’That’s not appropriate,’ Zaloom said. ‘Parents are really concerned about the Internet, because there are creeps out there. A lot of parents are throwing their hands up, but also wondering, what can we do?’ Zaloom puzzled over how to keep his youngest daughter safe. ‘I thought maybe there was something I could build for her.’ With Palisadian Andy Tobias, he developed FaceChipz, a social network site for tweens who have outgrown the younger gaming sites, but are not ready for more mature, riskier destinations. Similar to Facebook and MySpace, FaceChipz allows tweens to have their own personalized profile and connect with friends. The difference is that they have to physically exchange tokens with their friends before they can connect online. To use FaceChipz, tweens must first purchase tokens, which come in packages of five for $5 to $7 at Palisades Playthings, Puzzle Zoo, Toys ‘R’ Us or online at www.FaceChipz.com. They then must register on the FaceChipz site with parental permission. Parents pay a $1 registration fee with a credit card. ‘We want a viewable record that a parent has given permission,’ Zaloom said. ‘It’s a one-time fee, and no matter many kids you have, it’s still only a dollar.’ After registering, tweens can create a personalized Web page. Each token has a code that is inputed onto the site, so that when the tween gives the token to a friend, the friend inputs the same code and can connect to the site. The token allows only one connection, so if it is accidentally lost and then found by a stranger, it is useless. The chips, which come in 20 different designs and 10 different colors, and are slightly larger and heavier than poker chips, also serve as collectables. Zaloom and his wife Dana have lived in Pacific Palisades for 20 years, where they have been active in Corpus Christi School functions, AYSO and the YMCA.
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