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Inugirl is the hip hostess in her party room, one of thousands of virtual rooms that players can visit in the new Habbo Hotel, an animated virtual chat world for teens. Dressed in a pink knit cap and matching tank top, Inugirl makes small talk with newcomers while guests flirt, dance and admire the bearskin rug and snazzy decor in her brightly colored crib. Launched in Finland in 2000 by two university students, Habbo Hotel now has 2.2 million monthly visitors worldwide, according to the site. The U.K. version, at habbohotel.co.uk, opened in February 2001 and has 11.5 million users. Other big sites include Spain's with 1.4 million users, and Finland's has 2.8 million. The U.S. version, at habbohotel.com, just opened in September and already has about 300,000 registered users.

Virtual worlds have been around for years. Even the best-selling Sims computer game has an online version in which people create characters, build homes and interact with others. But while The Sims Online has so far been a flop, Habbo has been an instant hit. Why? Habbo's focus on teens and chatting is one reason, as is its price tag: it's free. Despite the no-charge admission, there are oodles of games to play and rooms to explore. Habbo also has some healthy rules: the site blocks all swear words and has adult moderators. Teens can send private notes through the site, but exchanging real e-mail or IM addresses is prohibited. (As with all online activity, kids find ways around the bans, so parental supervision is a must.)

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Get started on Habbo by creating a character. You can be a slacker in a sweat suit or a nerd in a sweater vest. You can have green hair, a blue Mohawk or an oversize Afro. Next, explore public spaces like Palazzo Pizza, where you can grab a slice, or the Habbosphere Pool Deck, where you can go for a swim or jump off the diving board. Then check out the guest rooms created by users. Gamble in the casino rooms or try to meet someone in the dating rooms. There are gangs and groups—the American version has the U.S. Army, which always needs recruits—and the Blood Vampire Gang, which draws a ghoulish crowd.

Create a room of your own for the most fun. Rooms are free, but you need Habbo Coins (the new U.S. hotel charges $5 for 25, payable by credit card or money order) to buy furniture and decorations. Stuck with an annoying guest? Click the "kick" button to eject them. Just be careful of scammers—people who try to trick you into buying furniture for their rooms. On Habbo, as in life, it pays to know who your true friends are.

• Anita Hamilton
• At Habbo, kids chat, play games and create a fantasy room of their own