ABSTRACT
This chapter considers how such discursive interaction and joint construction can be analysed, in the context of the co-construction of identity in online virtual worlds for children. An important insight into the nature of discourse in digital contexts is that such discourse is frequently co-constructed. Online virtual worlds for children are graphically represented online spaces that children navigate through using ‘avatar’ and where they can interact, play games with large numbers. In particular, Zoe’s attempts to represent herself as African American with dark brown skin colour were often frustrated as it was difficult to trade items for her avatar that came in that skin colour. One way to analyse the discourse of a digital environment like a virtual world would be to treat it as a text or set of texts. However, such an approach risks overlooking the essentially fluid and dynamic nature of the virtual world, which is to a large extent constituted of the actions of its users.
