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An Excellent Source for Media Reviews for Parents

By Jayme N. Linton, Ph.D., Hickory NC Mom, LRU Assistant Professor of Education & MacKid Guest Writer July 21, 2016

With two school-aged children, I constantly hear requests from my kids to watch the latest movie, download a trending app, buy the newest game, and consume other types of media. My husband and I are selective about the media we allow our children to view. However, as much as I would like to, it is impossible to personally screen all new media before my children do. That’s why I love Common Sense Media, a nonprofit “dedicated to helping kids thrive in a world of media and technology.”

Common Sense Media offers a wealth of helpful resources for families and educators. My favorite and most-used are the parent reviews. Before determining whether to allow my kiddos to watch a movie or download an app, I check Common Sense Media for a detailed parent review. These reviews include a synopsis, a rating along several indicators such as violence and language, a list of topics families can discuss after viewing the media, and reviews from other parents and kids. When looking for reviews, you can either search for a specific title or use the search filter to find reviews for a certain age, type of media, topic, or character trait.

Looking for a great movie, book, TV show, game, or website for a certain age or age span? Use the “Find Great Media for Kids by Age and Type” slider on the Common Sense Media home page to search for appropriate media. This search feature is especially helpful when I’m looking for a great movie that’s appropriate for both of my kids.

Spend some time exploring the “Best Of” lists to see which books, music, movies, games, apps, and websites have been selected by Common Sense Media editors as their top picks. Lists like “Movies That Inspire Courage,” “Books with Strong Female Characters,” and “Apps that Promote Collaboration” will help you find the right media for your kids.

In addition to providing informative reviews and recommendations, the folks at Common Sense Media regularly share helpful blog posts related to kids and media. Below are a few must-read posts for parents.

Kids Summer Movie Guide 2016
Social Media Apps Parents Should Know About
Best Summer Learning Games
Easy, Free Browser Hacks to Make the Internet Safer For Your Kid
5 Tips to Make Family Movie Night a Success
8 Tips for a (Nearly) Tech-Free Vacation

We’d love to hear about the resources you trust for reviewing media. Share your favorites by leaving a comment below!