good news about an apparently benign Internet site

I'm delighted to report that I've -- or rather my kids, who are usually several steps ahead of me -- discovered an Internet site that not only isn't appalling, but actually seems like a fun learning experience. It's called Club Penguin, and from what I can Google, it was launched just last month by parents who wanted a safe place for their kids to surf. It's more than that -- you've got cute and friendly cartoon characters who instead of mangling each other are socializing (you get kicked off the site for swearing or "being mean"!) and playing age-appropriate and yet compelling games. My first-grader has been inspired to use the keyboard to send messages, and my fifth-grader is meeting friends of his on-line, and both are ready to do chores, read or play their music for great lengths of time for the privilege to spend time in the Club.
The site is free, although my younger son chose to use part of his allowance to join an elite penguin faction where you can use penguin money to buy special clothes and home furnishings. The consumerist emphasis is the only thing so far that puts me off, but on the whole, I'm so grateful that someone had the sense to invent this.