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4Kids TV (http://www.4kids.tv/)

common sense media says

Teen talk forums + kid-targeted cartoons = risky mix.

parents & educators say
  • 33% say sexual content is an issue
  • 33% say violence is an issue
See all 13 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this site is built around the animated cartoon lineup shown on The CW television station. Not only does it heavily promote the shows themselves, but it also includes a special video viewing portal called "Toonzai" that lets kids view entire seasons of the cartoon shows they enjoy (including Yu-Gi-Oh, SonicX, MagiNation and Biker Mice from Mars). This means there is hour after hour of possible screen time to be spent here, and some of the shows are chock-full of fantastical cartoon-violence. Parents should be careful which parts of this site children access. For the most part the site is geared toward elementary school-aged kids who would typically be interested in the site's cartoons, although some of the cartoon fare is targeted to younger, kindergarten-aged kids. However, the message forums are designed only for users 13 years and older. Users on here are given strict guidelines for what can be posted, but they don't need to stick to predetermined scripts.

Educational value: Some of the games require strategy, keen observation, and memory skills. A section called "Buzz Feed" lists random, unrelated educational bits (i.e., supercomputer competes on game show, giant holes found in the sun). However, aside from these tidbits, there's nothing really to learn from the site.
Positive messages: There aren't many positive messages to be found on the site. Most of the activities are just about silliness and fun, but some shows focus on battles and fighting. Some of the shows viewable through Toonzai have positive messages of friendship, teamwork, and good triumphing over evil.
Violence: Games like The Teenage Ninja Turtle Foot Clan Street Brawl 2 feature cartoon-style fighting, with swords and martial arts weapons. Some videos that are viewable on Toonzai also contain cartoon-style fighting.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: There's some play on words, like "What the Shell" that's featured at the end of one game. It is possible for inappropriate language to go unchecked and unmoderated on the message boards, chat areas, and forums.
Consumerism: Advertisements are clearly labeled as such. Ads for Xbox 360 and online games can typically be found around the site. There are also video ads for products like DVDs that run before some games load. Aside from the independent sponsors, the site itself is a promotion for the CW network's cartoon line-up, with nearly every feature relating in some way to the TV shows. Toonzai, the site's video viewer, shows full episodes of CW cartoons on demand in case kids 'missed them on TV.'
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Privacy & safety: Users only need to create a username and password to join the site (not necessary, but encouraged).No personally identifiable information is collected from users under aged 13, and users under 13 are not permitted to register for the site without a parent's permission.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on 4Kids TV

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about safe Internet interactions. This site features the ability to create an online social network profile and also participate in discussion forums. What are your house rules about accessing such content? At what age is this type of interaction OK and when is it too young? What are the basic rules for on-line discussions?
  • Why is it important to be aware of advertising on children's programming? Do you think kids are specifically targeted to buy certain products in a way adults are not?
  • Families can talk about setting limits on violent kids' shows. What type of sci-fi or cartoon violence is acceptable in your family, and where does your family draw the line? Do you think viewing fantasy violence makes kids more aggressive?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
There are some great features to 4KIDS TV. Fans of the CW's cartoons can watch full episodes of selected series, there is a library of online games to play, plus unique activities like online scavenger hunts and paper craft instructions. These features won't come as a surprise to regular online users, but they will fill the need for more content that a few hours of weekend programming can't provide. However, the interactive features seem out of place on a kids' TV site. Why would second graders need to discuss the finer points of Yu-Gi-Oh or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles? The 13 years and up guideline for this feature seems absurd as adolescents wouldn't seem to be the target demographic. Sites such as Webkinz and Club Penguin offer much safer ways for younger children to interact online and this site would do much better to stick with what it does best: provide off-the-wall games and multimedia content to support its equally irreverent TV programming. For kids who want to catch up on those cartoons they missed on television, the site's "Toonzai" section is the perfect place to visit.

Online interaction: Discussion forums make the online interaction portion of the site rather risky. Although there are moderators and purported "spies" who block users who don't obey the strict guidelines of no bullying or harassment, the forums are posted as being for users 13 and up. This is confusing since most of the cartoons from the site are targeted at younger kids.

This review was written by Conny Coon
 
 

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What parents & educators say

14
Based on 3 parent & educator reviews:
  • 33% say sexual content is an issue
  • 33% say violence is an issue
  • 33% say safety or privacy is an issue
  • 33% say language is an issue
  • 33% say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking
Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

Combatd
teen, 16 years old
13
 
Terrible
4kids ruins all anime
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helped me decide (15) | had useful details (14) | read my mind (14)

kid, 12 years old
11
 
4kids just edits
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helped me decide (13) | had useful details (12) | read my mind (15)

teen, 14 years old
11
 
4kids just edits
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helped me decide (13) | had useful details (12) | read my mind (15)

kid, 11 years old
11
 
4kids just edits
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helped me decide (13) | had useful details (12) | read my mind (15)
tbaby217
teen, 14 years old
7
 
Perfect for ages 7-12
I loved this site when I was 8.It is for those kids who love games but violence is not an option.
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helped me decide (12) | had useful details (14) | read my mind (12)
Silverstaraptor
teen, 18 years old
2
 
Unsuitable for all who don't watch Barney the dinosaur.
Suitable solely for the younger elementary-schoolers and toddlers. This company takes stories and cartoons for tweens, teenagers, and children and over-censors them. They also change character's personalities to make them more 2-D.
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helped me decide (14) | had useful details (11) | read my mind (12)
jamesbonddarth ...
parent of 16 year old
17
 
EVIL!!
4Kids is evil and wants to take over the world by telling our kids that you can't die and that there is nothing else other than America!!!
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helped me decide (13) | had useful details (11) | read my mind (12)
haddad fan
kid, 12 years old
2
 
Off for 2 and under, Iffy for 2-5, On for 5 and over.
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helped me decide (12) | had useful details (11) | read my mind (10)
undergurl
kid, 12 years old
7
 
Good website for games, and stuff, also has some paer downloads you can print and make.
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helped me decide (12) | had useful details (10) | read my mind (10)
Comonsensisret ...
kid, 10 years old
10
 
It's a good site but risky
risky mix it is Off for 0-8 Iffy for 9-10 On for 11+ you will outgrow it around my age or 10
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helped me decide (9) | had useful details (11) | read my mind (10)
nuku
parent of 11 year old
17
 
EW
sexual roleplay site designed for kids. why is there such SICK stuff on the internet?
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helped me decide (7) | had useful details (9) | read my mind (14)
Charlie The Cat
parent of 5 , 6 , 7 , 10 , 10 , and 17 year old
7
 
n/a
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helped me decide (5) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (5)
Chickable2
teen, 13 years old
 
4crap
It's crappy okay. It takes out real life things like cigars and blood. They changed a dudes Skin color when he was black. They change religions period. What the heck are you thinking 4kids????!!!!!!!
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About our rating system
ON: Content is 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
Our child development rating guidelines