The research by Professor David Gauntlett and Lizzie Jackson from the University of Westminster has found that virtual worlds can prove to be valuable platforms where children revise and rehearse what they might actually be doing in real life. They are also a much more ‘engaging and powerful’ alternative in comparison to passive activities like watching television, pointed out the BBC-sponsored study involving children, using its Adventure Rock virtual world.

According to Professor Gauntlett, the research indicated that children assumed one of eight roles while exploring a virtual world and employing the tools at their disposal. At times children were social climbers keen to connect with other players and at others they were explorers. On the other hand, some were power users keen on information about the functioning of the virtual space. Prof Gauntlett emphasised online worlds served as a useful rehearsal spaces where children could try the different kinds of things free of the consequences that would be there if they actually tried them in the real world. For example, he stated, children trying out Adventure Rock imbibed many useful social skills, playing around with their virtual identity in ways which would be difficult in real life.