A kind of Internet carnival, Gaia Online combines chat, games, discussion forums and a virtual world to make it the most popular teen hangout on the Web. Discussion forums are the heart and soul of Gaia and get half a million posts each day. Users can upload artwork for others to rate, or inhabit an avatar to navigate Gaia's virtual world, which is free to use. Gaians can earn gold to bling out their avatars, simply by playing games, posting messages and clicking through the site. For a more international virtual experience, visit the South Korea–based Cyworld or the Eurocentric Habbo.
—Anita Hamilton