Online gaming fan Louie Ryan was one of five lucky children to win a day at Disney’s Club Penguin headquarters after entering competition to learn more about how the web moderation team keep them safe.
Club Penguin is a virtual multi-player gaming world in which children aged between seven and 11 can interact online with access to games and activities.
The day was part of Disney’s Aim High initiative – which encourages young people to try new things and be the best they can be – after being inundated by requests from players who wanted to learn more about the moderation team.
Louie – a pupil at St Cuthbert Mayne School in Gadebridge – was successful after he stated why he wanted the chance to meet web moderators behind the scenes at Club Penguin offices in Brighton.
The avid Club Penguin fan, who lives with his family in Scriveners Close, said: “I’ve always wondered how Club Penguin keep the world safe and fun. It was so cool to meet the actual moderators who are looking out for me and my friends when we play on the site.
During the day, Louie and the other lucky fans were able to see staff demonstrating the skills needed to be a moderator, and were allowed to get stuck in as part of the team.
The fans also got chance to go along to Club Penguin’s weekly team meeting, where players’ requests are considered for inclusion in the game itself.
Louie, 10, said: “It’s definitely made me think about online safety much more than before.”
The 200 moderators across the world allow young people to chat online in a safe, secure environment by reviewing and moderating chat, ensuring personal information isn’t shared, monitoring the in-world activity and answering player and parent emails, as well as keeping on top of online trends in language and behaviour.