Common Sense Media

Description

Common Sense Media helps families make smart media choices. We offer the largest, most trusted library of independent age-based and educational ratings and reviews for movies, games, apps, TV shows, websites, books, and music. Our Parent Concerns and Parent Blog help families understand and navigate the problems and possibilities of raising children in the digital age.

We believe in sanity, not censorship.

Achieving a healthy approach to media and technology can make a big difference in kids’ lives today. Kids who learn to use digital media wisely can accomplish amazing things — learn new skills, explore new worlds, build new ideas, and change the world. Yet every kid has different needs. As parents and educators, we know our kids best. Common Sense is here to help. We can steer you away from things that are developmentally inappropriate, and help you find the hidden gems that are right for your family and your kids.

We tell it like it is.

We think the media and technology industries should put kids’ needs first when they create and market their products and services. Since that is all too often not the case, we believe there should be clear policies and regulations to hold these industries accountable. We advocate on behalf of kids on a wide range of issues, including the educational impact of technology, protecting kids’ privacy online, and improving the impact of media on child health and development.

Behind the Common Sense Media ratings system

Common Sense Media publishes independent ratings and reviews for nearly everything kids want to watch, read, play, and learn. We never receive payments or other consideration for our reviews. Our unbiased ratings are conducted by expert reviewers and aren’t influenced by the creators or by our funders.

Because media profoundly affects our kids’ social, emotional, and physical development, Common Sense Media rates media based on both age appropriateness and, for digital media, learning potential. We rely on developmental criteria from some of the nation’s leading authorities to determine what content is appropriate for which ages. And research on how kids learn from media and technology informs our learning ratings. Our goal is to give you trustworthy information so that you can decide what works for your family. We know every family and every kid is different — but all families need information to make great media choices.

Pricing

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Common Sense Media Free Free reviews, advice, & curriculum.

Reviews

December 28, 2012

I love this site. I use this website for teaching internet safety k-4 along with I-safe. Sometimes I-safe is not interesting for younger student and Common Sense Mida fits in just. great. The webiste also had great adive on apps and updates on lates media issues.

Online English and Biology Teacher
September 12, 2012

As an Online Teacher and an enthusiastic educator, I am always on the look-out for tools/sites that can help me help the new Cyber generation. When I found Common Sense Media, I was more than happy. It guides parents, students and educators, by providing information about digital content. Thus, looking at the the color-codes and information, parents and educators can decide which content is safe for their children and students. It also offers content on issues, like bullying and plagiarism, that directly relate to the welfare of students. With the increasing exposure to digital content, I strongly feel that all parents and educators should use Common Sense Media, to ensure the safety and well-being of their wards and students.

February 25, 2012

Common Sense Media is a must bookmark for any educator that works in an environment where students have frequent access to digital content. Hmm.. Now that I have written that, it seems that would mean CSM is a must bookmark for all educators.

Their color coded, age rated reviews of movies, red for caution, green for go, help guide both parents and teachers on what may or may not be appropriate for children and adolescents. Their collection of digital citizenship resources can serve as both guide and curricular content for times when a teacher must address issues like cyberbullying, privacy considerations, and online preadators. These makers really care about mindful media consumption.

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