The Source: Tuesday July 1, 2008

MySpace? That's soooooooo 2 years ago. Teens have a better place to go hang out online, but this time as an animated hottie.

And what's on the menu for today? Hmmmmm. Should I pick up on some girls, get a virtual lap dance, or meet a stranger and give them a cyber French kiss... all in 3-D! (yes, you can actually select "French" from the menu of "flirt" actions)

It's called IMVU.com, and millions of teens are navigating through "rooms" making friends... and making out. It's little wonder that the site has registered 20 million users, most of which are American teenagers.

The Newest Online Hangout
Although it sounds a lot like it, IMVU is not just another virtual world. The company actually bills their site as the "world's greatest 3-D Instant Message server." If that sounds a little arrogant to you, just know they have very good reasons for making that claim.

IMVU encourages their users to "be the person you want to be" ... a tempting offer for teenagers who "represent" themselves online.

Users express themselves by creating a personal, three dimensional character, known as an avatar, that can chat and interact with any other user from around the world. The options for customization are almost endless. Users can purchase a wide variety of virtual products including clothes, accessories, whole rooms, and even pets, using very real credit cards.

I investigated the site myself. Signing up was easy and I was able to create my very own "avatar," a virtual representation of myself. Okay, okay... it doesn't look anything like me at all! But I can see why teenagers like this site so much; there's no option for "overweight," "acne," or "straight-up goofy looking!" (You should see me...I'm a stud!)

The avatars are almost always depicted as very attractive teenagers, (regardless of the user's real age), and the graphics used by the designers give the avatars a very realistic appearance. Their body language can show emotions that range from interest, to confusion, to happiness, to boredom, and can even give that "come hither" look.

That look comes in handy for the female versions of the avatars who are dressed in incredibly sexy outfits. It's a rarity to find a room without at least one "girl" walking around wearing a skimpy two piece of some sort. Designers have also given the avatars the ability to perform physical acts with one another, including flirting, dancing, kissing, and massaging. (On my very first visit, a female avatar approached mine, said hello, and then mounted me on the couch and kissed me.")

Didn't You Say Something About Lap Dances?
As if the site was not raunchy enough, for a fee, IMVU offers an Access Pass for even racier content. Users can gain access to "restricted" material for those who pay a nominal fee and can prove they're 18 or older....

Got talks?

Looking for some "ready made" resources so you can �hang' with kids instead of re-inventing the wheel, trying to create material? Jonathan McKee's 5th book comes out in less than a month, and people are already talking about this one. Recommended by Duffy Robbins, Dan Kimball, Kurt Johnston, Ken Davis, Dave Rahn, Gordon-Conwell's preaching dept., and more... 10-Minute Talks provides 24 "ready-made" talks, and a free supplemental CD with transcripts & a complete small group curriculum for each talk.

Two-time "Outreach Award" winner Jonathan comes through once again, using his style as a storyteller to communicate truth to today's generation of young people. Communicate more while saying less, with 10-Minute Talks.