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Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this semi-interactive tween comedy -- which stars Miranda Cosgrove of Drake & Josh -- asks its young viewers to contribute material though its real-life Web site (iCarly.com). Characters reference the site many times in each episode, encouraging kids to log on and check out blogs and additional show footage, as well as submit their own story ideas, comments, and videos, some of which will be used on air. The show itself is fairly benign, featuring the standard amount of boy/girl flirting and other tween issues.

Families can talk about the Internet. What kinds of things can you see online? Is it good to be able to access so much information and content, bad, or some of both? How does the Web affect your relationship with other people? What are some of the dangers associated with Internet use? Has anyone you know ever been bullied or otherwise mistreated online? How? What did they do? Remind your kids that they should never say anything online that they wouldn't say to someone's face, and make sure tweens understand your rules for using the Internet, especially regarding uploading videos and providing personal information to any Web site. For more on Internet safety, click here.

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Emily Ashby

With ICARLY, Nickelodeon expands into the realm of TV-Web integration, asking viewers to contribute material directly to the series through its sister Web site.

The series centers on the life of Carly Shay (Miranda Cosgrove of Drake & Josh), an opinionated eighth grader who lives with her artsy twenty-something brother, Spencer (Jerry Trainor), while her parents are abroad with the military. Carly stumbles into Internet fame when a video of her and her best friend gossiping about their peers is accidentally posted online and accessed by thousands of fans, who demand more of the hilarity. (Funny, yes, but remind kid viewers that this sort of thing verges on cyberbullying territory.)

At first Carly and Sam (Jennette McCurdy) are mortified that their conversations are available to the world, but they later decide to build on their notoriety and start a live webcast about what's important to them. With the help of Carly's neighbor Freddie (Nathan Kress) -- who's happy to offer his technological expertise to his crush, Carly -- the girls brainstorm content ideas and turn to their peers for star power. Suddenly not only are Carly and Sam Web celebs, but their friends are, too.

Partnering an entertaining tween series with an interactive Web site certainly isn't a new concept (especially to Nickelodeon), but iCarly takes the convergence to the next level by allowing kid viewers to submit story ideas -- and even their own videos -- for possible inclusion in the show. The idea is sure to be a hit with Internet-savvy tweens, and the good news is that the series itself is entertaining enough to deserve the added attention. Cosgrove and McCurdy are a delightful comedic pair, combining smarts and sassiness.

Tweens will relate to the characters and their realistic issues with friends, family, and school, and parents will be relieved to know that there's little content that's worrisome for their kids. Just make sure to take the opportunity to reiterate your rules about Internet use in general, especially when it comes to uploading videos and submitting personal information. If your tweens want to send something in, make sure to check it out before they send it along -- and offer to help with the submission process as well.

Other good choices for tweens include High School Musical and Hannah Montana. And tweens, be sure to visit the show's Web site to contribute your own (parent approved!) videos and show ideas.

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Content
		CS	adults	kids
Sexual Content Mild flirting among tweens, and one boy relentlessly pursues his female crush. Girls refer to boys as "hot." One scene includes a mention of the shape of a woman's boobs.
Violence Some pushing and shoving among students, and a man falls from a ladder in one scene, but there's no injury.
Language
Message
	Social Behavior A female character does some bullying -- in a good-natured way -- of boys her age. The main character and her friend get caught gossiping about their peers in a video that's posted online, a situation that veers on cyberbulling. They also give out personal information on the Web at least once (a big no-no). The only authority figure is a young adult male who acts more like a kid than his tween sister does.
	Commercialism The series and its sister Web site promote each other. Characters often encourage viewers to log on to the site to send in emails and videos for consideration for the show.
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco

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