Post: About the Common Sense Review System
About the Common Sense Review System
I often write of the challenges I face raising my 12-year-old son and 15-year-old daughter: Can he watch "Family Guy" if all his friends do? How do I talk to her about the latest 50 Cent record? Believe me, I know how hard it is to manage our kids' media lives, especially when the thresholds of acceptability constantly change.
My parental day to day challenges inform the tone and scope of our reviews here at Common Sense. I know all too well the level of responsibility a parent has today in keeping on top of the media content of video games, dvds, and downloadable songs. We designed our rating and review systems to help make that job a little easier for all of us.
As we begin a new year of Common Sense, I would like to take the opportunity to explain how we rate and review on our site. We do this periodically since our membership is growing so quickly -- not only through our site, but through AOL, Netflix, Parent Center, and other wonderful organizations that distribute and use our information.
We rate media based on developmental criteria recommendations from some of the nation's leading authorities. On each review we provide an age rating, an ON, OFF, or PAUSE button, and a range of stars.
The age represents the minimum age for which the content is appropriate. You will notice that we are not always in line with other ratings groups. Sometimes we skew younger: We gave the video game Guitar Hero, which the ERSB rated as a Teen game, an 8+ rating. Sometimes we skew older. Because of its sexual content and messages, PG-rated TV show Beauty and the Geek earned a 15+ from us.
Next comes our buttons -- our most visible feature. Our "ON" means the offering is age appropriate and of good and enjoyable quality. "OFF" means we don't recommend it for that age, or that it's so awful we wouldn't want you to waste your time or money. "PAUSE" asks you to do just that: Stop a moment and think about your kid. What's right for your nephew may be all wrong for your own child, even if they're both 7.
Finally, you'll see stars. We rate quality on a 0 (failure) to 5 (fantastic) scale. Occasionally, some ratings on our site may seem odd. The highly bloody movie Pulp Fiction, for example, has 5 stars but is rated OFF. We used the stars to recognize the creativity and performances -- but we want to make sure that parents know this is a majorly mature film with over-the-top violence and language -- and not for any kids under any circumstances.
Our reviewers also provide in-depth information on the content, from sex, language, and violence to information on role models, commercialism, and substance use.
And they write Common Sense notes that briefly give you exactly the information you need to decide if a film or book or game is right for your family. The notes help families discuss what they see, hear, and play. Since we can't cover our kids' eyes, we believe we need to teach them to see, and that's the aim of these notes.
Perhaps most important, however, are your comments. It only takes a moment to create a rating and a review. We urge you and your kids to write as many as possible. Not only do you get to share your insights, ideas, and energy, you help create and sustain a community of engaged families full of hope for the best possible media lives for their kids. We urge all of you to share your thoughts and opinions.
There are 1 replies to this post
Date: February 1, 2006
I've written several comments along with my ratings that were never posted.
My ratings were accepted, but my posts never were. <:(