 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
SpongeBob SquarePants
- Nickelodeon, Nicktoons
- Genre: Kids' Animation
Common Sense Media says
Edgy underwater comedy may be iffy for young kids.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this cartoon includes violent, dark satirical humor that will confuse kids who can't separate fantasy and reality. Characters' relationships are marred with name-calling and mockery, but no one ever seems affected by the exchanges. Anger and frustration often lead to physical resolutions that leave no lasting effects (though in the real world they'd be harmful). Messages about friendship, perseverance, and self-respect are mixed into the plot, but the overall silliness of the show and the main characters' annoying behavior often make them hard to find. All in all, this is a real "know your kid" situation.
What's the story?
SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS (voiced by Tom Kenny) lives in Bikini Bottom at the floor of the Pacific Ocean. He works as a fry cook at the Krusty Krab restaurant and spends his down time with those he considers his two best buddies: a woefully unintelligent-but-lovable sea star named Patrick (Bill Fagerbakke), who returns SpongeBob's friendship; and a grouchy, six-tentacled octopus named Squidward (Rodger Bumpass), who doesn't. SpongeBob and Patrick embark on self-misguided adventures that always land them in some sort of absurd situation, but their spirits are never dampened by their off-the-wall predicaments. Nor are they ever put off by the constant ridicule and disdain they encounter from Squidward, who tries to steer clear of their antics but often finds himself in the middle of their messes as they try relentlessly to win his friendship.
Is it any good?
He's yellow, porous, and perpetually happy, and he'd likely be called a kitchen sponge more often than a sea sponge, but there's no doubt that SpongeBob is one of the sea's most famous residents. Since the cheery fellow's debut in 1999, his cartoon series has earned a spot at the top of Nickelodeon's ratings chart and maintains a huge fan following that includes kids and adults. The show is sweet, well-intentioned, and full of zany humor and silly scenes that will appeal to many viewers. It also offers plenty of positive message about friendship, hard work, and loyalty.
But some aspects of SpongeBob will leave parents wanting to preview the series before letting their kids watch. Characters often speak sarcastically and act rudely to each other -- and, unlike in real life, no one seems bothered by the mean-spirited things that are said. What's more, situations are often resolved with violence, and the frequent songs sometimes touch on iffy subject matter like bombs and making fun of people. The fast pace of the show might also be a concern for parents, especially for younger kids. Parents also might be put off by SpongeBob's often-annoying personality and his tendency to take jokes too far. While his antics are funny onscreen, kids' SpongeBob imitations will probably drive adults crazy in the real world.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about being a good friend. Which characters are good friends? How do they show they care about each other? What do you do to show your friends you like them?
If your kids tend to believe everything they see, watch this show carefully with them and ask them about what they see and what they understand.
How does the show reflect real marine life? What type of creature is each character? How do their depictions differ from their real-life versions?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Old Episodes Were Great, Now...Not So Much.
I LOVED Spongebob back in the late 90s early 2000s. The episodes were clever and funny. Now it's just overly used gross humor and slapstick. A little slapstick and gross humor is fine, but this is too much. This show was at its high point in 2003, I recommend you go watch those episodes. Pretty much any episode of this show from 2006 on (with the exception of the one where Squidward becomes handsome) is terrible.
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AGE
are you insane
are u people insane? you wont let them watch it until their fourteen? im 13 and i think im too old for this show. your not gonna get bad things from spongebob. ur gonna end up with a teenager whos watching blues clues and dora that were meant for 4 year olds. this is the craziest thing ive ever heard in my entire life
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AGE
A Classic!
I've watched this show all my life, and its really good. It is MUCH better than new shows, like Fanboy and Chum Chum.
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Kid, 12 years old
April 16, 2010
AGE
Old episodes are the best, new ones have lost their touch
I grew up with Spongebob and everyone in my family loves it. I like the older ones since they are more mature and funnier humor unlike the newer ones that aren't really that funny and are sometimes really gross.
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AGE
Appropriate, but...
While there's nothing particularly inappropriate in Spongebob, I simply find myself not enjoying the show anymore. I remember a few years ago, I would flop on the couch after school with a glass of milk and a pile of homework, watching Spongebob and laughing aloud quite frequently. It was once a great show, with episodes containing pretty good plot lines, entertaining characters, and rip-roaring humor. Unfortunately, that Spongebob is no more. The characters who's antics once surprised and delighted you are now boring and overdone: Spongebob is too happy, Patrick is getting more imbecilic by the second, Squidward has something akin to manic depression, and Mr. Krabs does nothing but talk about money. Along with this, the creators have simply run out of ideas, exchanging their old, intelligent humor for slapstick and cringe-worthy puns. I'm afraid Spongebob Squarepants' golden days are over, and will provide entertainment for only the youngest of children. Parents might want to pick up a good book when this one comes on.
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Kid, 12 years old
July 13, 2010
AGE
Wonderful show for kids who like to have fun.
To all you parents who think SpongeBob isn't a good role model for your children,your just making your kids suffer.SpongeBob is a fun-loving character,and if you can't handle that,something is definitely wrong with you. Don't you want your kids to have fun and live life freely? EXACTLY!!! So SpongeBob is a very good cartoon to watch,and it always will be. But,I do have some concerns about the new episodes. Ever since the movie was aired,the episodes have gotten a little haywire. Some injuries can be grossening to little ones. "Dumb" and "Stupid" are said in the show,and my little brother says it all the time now. So,overall,SpongeBob is wonderful,but try to be careful with the newest episodes.
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AGE
Godd for kids of any age! Positive lessons in the end!
I have watched nearly every episode with my children and have found a prominent, positive message in nearly all of them. I would suspect parents who have not really sat with their children to watch might hear bits and peices and pass judgement, but if you see it through and actually take the time to sit with your children to explain things they might be unsure of, it is a perfect opportunity to talk with them heart to heart about real issues that they are or will deal with...Reality!Parents the real world is not like "Leave it to Beaver" and this show helps kids realize that bad things can happen including name calling and fighting etc. and that there are ways to deal with it. my sons have learned many positive words and lessons well beyond his years. Pay attention and you will see... compared to many other shows it is one of the best!
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Kid, 12 years old
April 11, 2010
AGE
Positive
I have always loved spongebob for its positive messages and educational scenes. I also like Patrick.
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Kid, 11 years old
March 21, 2010
AGE
GROSS
I like this show but Don't watch it while your eating because there is some really gross stuff in the show. Like show organs ,baft and other gross stuff , Like in one epoise there is a war about washing your hands and patrirk donset wash his hands.
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| Topics: | magic and fantasy, adventures, ocean creatures |
| TV rating: | TV-Y7 |
| Networks: | Nickelodeon, Nicktoons |
| Cast: | Bill Fagerbakke, Rodger Bumpass, Tom Kenny |
| Genre: | Kids' Animation |
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