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Common Sense Media is a trusted source for family movie reviews and ratings of TV, video games, music, books and websites. Common Sense gives parents tips and advice on how to improve the media lives of kids and families. |
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From the Editors of Common Sense Media
August 16, 2007
Friday, the jump-for-joy picture of high school life continues with Disney's eagerly awaited premiere of High School Musical 2. But another popular series, The N's Degrassi: The Next Generation, offers a different perspective.
Far grittier than the candy-colored world of High School Musical, Degrassi examines issues that are much closer to the situations that most real teens face these days. Drug use, sex, social problems, and more are all portrayed realistically -- not in the over-the-top, sensational way that shows like The O.C. and the forthcoming TV series of the Gossip Girl books would treat them. On Degrassi, actions have consequences and alternatives to iffy behavior are debated and shown. Obviously, it's edgy -- it does depict teen sex and substance abuse -- but it tries to be responsible in presenting the dilemmas that really face high school students. If you're intrigued but cautious, preview some episodes or watch with your kids.
Families who do watch will find plenty to talk about. What sets Degrassi apart from other teen shows. Does the fact that the teens look like regular teens make it more realistic? How does Degrassi life compare to life in other teen-oriented TV shows and movies? Finally, because Degrassi shows the consequences of drinking, sex, and social dynamics, it offers a safe way to get into difficult discussions about teens' daily lives and the pressures they face.
Yes, we love the High School Musical world, but we also know that our kids probably aren't going to go to school and dance on the tables. For the times when depression or drug use leaves real-life kids without a song in their hearts, Degrassi can offer a way to sort through thorny problems in a realistic but responsible way.
For more tips on parenting and the media, visit http://www.commonsensemedia.org/parent_tips/ . |
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From the Editors of Common Sense Media
June 21, 2007
Two new games coming from Rockstar video -- Grand Theft Auto IV (rating pending) and Manhunt 2 (rated AO, "Adults Only," for "prolonged scenes of intense violence and/or graphic sexual content and nudity") -- are SO not for teenagers, in any way. They pair gore and sex graphically, violently, and gruesomely. Nintendo and Sony have refused to have the games available for their systems due to corporate policies against AO ratings. And Manhunt 2's the gratuitous violence has also led to it being banned in both Britain and Ireland -- the first such action in 10 years.
We urge parents to both heed the ESRB ratings and drill more deeply into the content of these games by reading our reviews when the games are released later this summer. These are not casual ratings. And the ESRB is to be commended for its AO rating (one of only 23 given so far, out of 13,460 titles). Now it just needs to stick to its guns as the appeal process ensues -- and an appeal is inevitable, given that an AO rating virtually guarantees that chain stores like Wal-Mart won't carry the game.
In a letter to ESRB President Pat Vance, the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood urged her to stand by the AO rating, citing a reviewer for IGN.com who called Manhunt 2 the goriest, most violent game he's ever seen. Players can saw their enemies' skulls in half with a saw, mutilate them with an axe, castrate them with a pair of pliers, or kill them by bashing their head "into an electrical box, where raw power surges through it and eventually blows his head apart.".
In the meantime, GTA IV has a new trailer coming out June 28. Your kids will be able to see it on game sites and call it up with a simple Google search. Although the game isn't officially rated yet, we're sure it won't stray from earlier M-rated installments. (And, remember, a study found that 42% of purchasers were able to buy M-rated games without an adult present.) Anything that pairs graphic sex and violence shouldn't be played by kids who don't yet have the perspective and experience to understand what they're doing, as well as the social and developmental implications of those actions. It only gets worse when physical movement is involved in hitting, kicking, throwing, or shooting -- as is the case with many new interactive consoles.
Parents: Like the age-bracket creep in movies -- i.e. kids now see content in PG-13 movies that's the equivalent of stuff that would have earned an R rating 15 years ago -- games are also on the move. And this time, it's literal. New console play turns the thumb jockey into a brutal killer which commits the player more deeply emotionally and morally. This isn't a gamer; it's your child. Don't let him or her play these titles.
Go to Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood for more information about what you can do. |
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From the Editors of Common Sense Media
July 9, 2007
Are you ready to go back to Hogwarts for the fifth movie and seventh book? Get reacquainted with your favorite students, teachers, clubs, ghosts, and magical creatures with our mini-glossary.
School Houses
Gryffindor: Harry's house; named for Godric Gryffindor, a Hogwarts founder; Professor McGonagall is head of house; Gryffindors are known for being brave; colors are scarlet and gold; mascot is a lion.
Hufflepuff: Named for Helga Hufflepuff, a Hogwarts founder; Professor Sprout is head of house; Hufflepuffs are known for being loyal and hard-working; colors are yellow and black; mascot is a badger
Ravenclaw: Named for Rowena Ravenclaw, a Hogwarts founder; Professor Flitwick is head of house; Ravenclaws are known for their intelligence; colors are blue and bronze; mascot is an eagle
Slytherin: Voldemort and Malfoy's house; named for Salazar Slytherin, a Hogwarts founder; Professor Snape is head of house; Slytherins are known for their cunning; colors are green and silver; mascot is a serpent
Students
Major Characters
Harry Potter: Our hero
Ron Weasley: Harry's best friend; Gryffindor house prefect
Hermione Granger: Harry's other best friend; Gryffindor house prefect
Draco Malfoy: Harry's enemy; Slytherin house prefect
Fred Weasley: One of Ron's older brothers, a twin, and a DA member; co-founder of Weasleys' Wizard Weezes joke shop
George Weasley: One of Ron's older brothers, a twin, and a DA member; co-founder of Weasleys' Wizard Weezes joke shop
Ginny Weasley: Ron's little sister and DA member
Neville Longbottom: Harry's friend, fellow Gryffindor, and DA member
Members of Dumbledore's Army
Harry Potter: Leader and teacher
Elite Members: Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Ginny Weasley, Luna Lovegood, Neville Longbottom
Meeting Regulars: Hannah Abbott, Lavender Brown, Katie Bell, Susan Bones, Terry Boot, Cho Chang, Michael Corner, Colin Creevey, Dennis Creevey, Marietta Edgecombe (Cho's "sneaky" friend), Justin Finch-Fletchley, Seamus Finnigan, Anthony Goldstein, Angelina Johnson, Lee Jordan, Ernie Macmillan, Padma Patil, Parvati Patil, Zacharias Smith (most annoying member), Alicia Spinnet, Fred Weasley, George Weasley
Hogwarts Classes
Apparition: Teaches students about to turn 17 how to "beam" themselves from one location to another. Taught by a Ministry of Magic official.
Ancient Runes Arithmancy: Magical uses of numbers
Astronomy
Care of Magical Creatures
Charms
Defense Against the Dark Arts: How to defend against evil creatures and magic
Divination: Lessons in fortunetelling using many methods (tea leaves, crystal balls, etc.)
Herbology: Study of magical uses of plants
History of Magic
Muggle Studies
Occlumency: Defense against mind reading
Potions
Transfiguration: Turning one object into another
For the full Hogwarts Glossary, please visit http://www.commonsensemedia.org/parent_tips/commonsense_view/index.php?id=247 . |
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