EMarketer Predicts 54% of Kids Using Virtual Worlds by 2013
eMarketer is forecasting that the number of children using virtual worlds like Club Penquin, Pixie Hollow and Webkinz will reach 15 million by 2013. That would be 54% of all kids.
Altogether in 2008, an estimated 8 million US children and teens visited virtual worlds on a regular basis, and eMarketer projects that number will grow to over 15 million by 2013.
Virtual world usage among children in the US is already quite strong and getting stronger. eMarketer estimates that 37% of online children ages 3 to 11 use virtual worlds at least once a month. By 2013, 54% will.
It sounds like an accurate prediction. There seems to be a new online world for kids launching every week. EMarketer says that Virtual Worlds Management says there were 112 virtual worlds for kids under 18 as of January, 2009 with another 81 worlds in development.
