Global Kids' Digital Media Initiative

Mercury Metropolitan: I didn't know what to expect at first, other than what the initial application stated. It seemed to cover a number of diverse roles that I had to play. Most of them involved duties such as designing and executing the GK Camp program.

Mercury Metropolitan: At first, I had my concerns about Global Kids being on the Teen Grid. The idea of adults invading our teen space irked me to say the least. So, I wanted to confront the issue first hand..

Mercury Metropolitan: I wanted to learn what the purpose of Global Kids was about and what they were planning on doing here on the Teen Grid. After I was chosen to be the sole teen intern, I learned very quickly that Global Kids was not trying to encroach upon our personal slice of the metaverse.

Mercury Metropolitan: I came to the conclusion that GK is all about allowing teens to formulate their own ideas and opinions through interactive and immersive experiences.

Rafi GKid: Well, you were successful, especially in letting us know how little we really knew about the teen grid when we started out...

Mercury Metropolitan: Well, I expected to have some sort of positive impact on Global Kids, and I definitely feel I have. I really couldn't have asked for a better team to work with though. As Rafi said earlier, I did help to enlighten GK on aspects of the TG that were alien to them and helped to integrate them with the rest of the teen grid…I've acted as a liaison of sorts between teens outside the island, and the adults that are stuck here.

Tabitha Gkid: how did u feel being this "middle person" between GK and the rest of residents in TSL?

Mercury Metropolitan: It has been a pleasure really…In the earlier days however, when I was recruiting teens to sign up for camp GK, it did prove difficult though…Some people were uncomfortable with GK because they didn't trust them. This is partly why I made it a goal to reach out to my personal network of friends. They trusted me, so they did apply. The ones who were chosen to participate in that particular program trusted GK once it was over.

Mercury Metropolitan: Word of mouth definitely plays a role in the trust factor. So, once those teens trusted GK, they told their friends and so on. GK's reputation went up over time. =)

Tabitha Gkid: Absolutely =) Can you elaborate more on some of the highlights or challenges of being the manager/leader in many of our past events?

Mercury Metropolitan: One of my highlights was when I coordinated the Child Sex Trafficking Awareness and Activism Event as one of the final projects for Camp GK. I felt really proud after executing it successfully outside of GK Island with the help of many campers involved in the program.

Mercury Metropolitan: I thought that was the best event I've ever held here on the Teen Grid. It was excellent! We also raised a lot of Lindens for the Polaris Project that day.

Mercury Metropolitan: The most challenging was definitely the FINAL project for Camp Global Kids! THE MAZE.

Tabitha Gkid: Can you give some examples of your daily duties?

Mercury Metropolitan: Sure - my top responsibilities are probably event preparation, organization, and facilitation. I also am in charge of promoting anything happening on the island and managing various GK groups.

Tabitha Gkid: And how was your time management with everything?

Mercury Metropolitan: At times it can be difficult, but I've become a better multi-tasker and have juggled it all.

Tabitha Gkid: You sure have! Any advice for future interns/volunteers?

Mercury Metropolitan: Hmm, to them I would say - make sure you know your audience. This isn't hard, because you are a teen yourself. So, plan events that you yourself would like to attend.

Mercury Metropolitan: When I facilitated events in the past - the Child Sex Trafficking Awareness & Activism one as en example, I kept everyone engaged by making it FUN and rewarding teens. We had trivia throughout the entire event, so my fellow campers and myself would type a couple statements and then ask the audience a question about those statements. If they answered correctly, they would receive a freebie gift.

Mercury Metropolitan: I think they enjoyed that a lot.
Rafi GKid: Ah the freebie's... sooo essential!

Mercury Metropolitan: Also, on a more technical side of things - brush up on some building skills.

Rafi GKid: Merc, you'd said you thought it was important for teens that might want to intern to brush up on their building and graphic abilities, is there anything you made that you're particularly proud of?

Mercury Metropolitan: In terms of graphics - I was very proud of the advertisement I made for Camp GK…It was pretty popular on Tin Bling's ad server

Rafi GKid: For sure. It was one of the best methods we had of getting the word out, aside from just word of mouth of course.

Rafi GKid: What else do you enjoy doing most here in SL?

Mercury Metropolitan: I really enjoy helping other residents.. When I'm not here, I'm usually in the Freebie Bazaar or Welcome area. So, I volunteer on my spare time too.

Markorn Jun: Merc, do you see SL as a game or as a daily task?

Mercury Metropolitan: Markorn, Second Life is where I work and play. I don't see it as a task, because I'm not forced to be here

Rafi GKid: Mercury, what kinds of things do you want to see more of from GK in the future?

Mercury Metropolitan: I would like to see more programs similar to Camp GK that are open to the public.

Tabitha Gkid: We will work on that =)

Thank you Mercury for all that you've done for us, enjoy a happy vacation and see you when you come back!

As closing, Jay Clostermann, a new GK intern, gave Mercury Metropolitan a copy of an egg avatar, along with Rafi and myself, here's the four of us as eggs! Thanks Jay!