El Segundo-based Mattel is getting into the online virtual world space, saying Tuesday that it has launched BarbieGirls.com, an online community focused on girls. The new online community allows girls to interact in a virtual world, hang out in virtual rooms, and go shopping. The new virtual world is part of a new platform being rolled out by Mattel based on its Barbie brand, and allows users to create their own avatars, customize their environment, and interact and chat with friends and other users.