Parent Tips

Common Sense View

Each week in our Common Sense Newsletter we feature an editorial or a parenting column that we hope helps you better manage and understand kids' media lives. This is the archive of those feature stories. You can also search by topic using the search box at the top of the page.

This Week on the Web

This Week on the Web

By: Heidi Kotansky

May 15, 2008

Sometimes it might feel impossible to keep up with the ever-evolving digital world. Don't fret: Here's a quick round up of what's going down online this week. Social networking site...

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Look Who's Talking Common Sense: Susan Sarandon

Look Who's Talking Common Sense: Susan Sarandon

By: Betsy Bozdech

May 7, 2008

Real-life mother of three Susan Sarandon hits the big screen May 9 as mom to Emile Hirsch 's driving prodigy in the Wachowski brothers ' adaptation of Speed Racer . Common Sense Media...

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This Week on the Web

This Week on the Web

By: Heidi Kotansky

May 1, 2008

Sometimes it might feel impossible to keep up with the ever-evolving digital world. Don't fret: Here's a quick round up of what's going down online this week. Now you'll be able to watch...

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Miley Uncovered: What Parents Need to Know

Miley Uncovered: What Parents Need to Know

By: Liz Perle

April 28, 2008

This week, your kids will probably see a photograph of 15-year-old Miley Cyrus , tween idol, posing semi-naked. She's covered in front by a sheet, but the picture, taken by Annie Leibovitz for...

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This Week on the Web

This Week on the Web

By: Heidi Kotansky

April 25, 2008

Common Sense Media, the MacArthur Foundation, and the Stanford University School of Education teamed up for the From MySpace to Hip-Hop public forum at Stanford University on April 23. Led by...

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Grand Theft Auto IV -- Parents: M Means M!

Grand Theft Auto IV -- Parents: M Means M!

April 23, 2008

The newest Grand Theft Auto video game releases next Tuesday, and parents need to know that this ultra-violent M-rated game is categorically not meant for anyone under 17. In Grand Theft Auto...

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Six Ways to Be a Media-Savvy Parent This Year

Six Ways to Be a Media-Savvy Parent This Year

By: Liz Perle

April 20, 2008

1. Visit an online social networking site. If you have young kids, check out Club Penguin . See what the fuss is all about. Embrace their enthusiasm, but educate yourself about what goes on....

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Kids, Violence, and the Internet: Tips for Parents

Kids, Violence, and the Internet: Tips for Parents

April 9, 2008

This week, a shocking video was released that shows the savage 30-minute beating of a teen who had allegedly trash-talked her attackers on her MySpace page. According to the Pope County Florida...

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Archived Articles

April, 2008

It's Their Future, After All
By:
(04/09/08)

This Week on the Web
By:
(04/02/08)

Look Who's Talking Common Sense: 2008 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards Special Edition
By: Betsy Bozdech
(04/01/08)

March, 2008

This Week on the Web
By:
(03/26/08)

Talking to Your Kids About Racism
By:
(03/20/08)

Look Who's Talking Common Sense: Jodie Foster
By: Betsy Bozdech
(03/18/08)

Talking to Kids About Sex Scandals
By:
(03/13/08)

February, 2008

Tech Trends from Toy Fair
By: Jinny Gudmundsen
(02/27/08)

If u cn rd ths ur kidz hv 1
By: Liz Perle
(02/13/08)

Talking to Kids About Celebrity Behavior
By:
(02/07/08)

January, 2008

Idol Ads on Steroids
By:
(01/16/08)

December, 2007

Best of 2007: Editors' Choice
By:
(12/20/07)

Talking to Kids About Premarital Sex
By: Liz Perle
(12/19/07)

Managing Media Gifts This Season
By:
(12/18/07)

The Inside Scoop on the Hottest Tech Toys
By: Jinny Gudmundsen
(12/12/07)

A Look Back at 2007
By: Liz Perle
(12/03/07)

Look Who's Talking Common Sense
By:
(12/03/07)

November, 2007

The Impact of Media Violence
By:
(11/29/07)

Is My Kid Ready for a Gaming System?
By:
(11/20/07)

Can You Trust Movie Ratings?
By:
(11/08/07)

October, 2007

Harry Potter and the Teachable Moment
By: Liz Perle
(10/23/07)

Tips for Scary Movies
By:
(10/18/07)

More Archived Stories