Tools for this page
Print

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    (Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

    Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 12.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    CBS' winning news, but bench message boards.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 12–13

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    There are a lot of sports news stories, statistics, player profiles, and other infotainment-style content on this site for young sports fans to dig into. The message boards, however, teach kids the downsides of sports -- trash talking, as well as the media's unfortunate tendency of mixing sports viewing with objectifying women and drinking beer.
 

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The trash talking and sexual content thrown in with sports sends mixed messages to young athletes and sports enthusiasts. Members are given "Reputation Ratings," scoring them on four values deemed important by site creators. On the upside, use of offensive language hurts a user's reputation. But infrequent use of the site also knocks points off their rating, encouraging kids to potentially spend too much time on message boards.

  • Violence:

    Coverage of martial arts and boxing is included.

  • Sex:

    Most of the content is fine, but there are sexualized photos of women and many of the avatars representing members on the message boards are sexually explicit (fully exposed women's behinds and teeny bikini tops). Also, because of the tens of thousands of comments posted on these boards, content is unpredictable. There are some noted as "removed by administrator," so the boards are somewhat monitored, but obviously not strictly so.

  • Language:

    There's sports- and political-related trash talk, with the occasional curse word.

  • Consumerism:

    Ads for CBS-related sports coverage and a CBS store; ads for auto companies, sweepstakes, and the college basketball March Madness Facebook/CBS contest tie-in.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    A few "watch-sports-and-drink-beer-style" comments on message boards.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Sportsline

Parents need to know this sports hub has everything a fan could ask for in all major -- and even some less popular sports. The message boards are what parents need to be worried about: some have sexualized photos of women, trash talking, mild swearing and some really lame, mind-numbing content. Site members are given "Reputation Ratings," scoring them on four values deemed important by site creators, but infrequent use of the site knocks points off their rating -- encouraging kids to potentially spend too much time on the message boards.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about teens using this site to get good information without being exposed to the bad stuff. What areas are best left alone? Which ones are fine to explore?
Tools and tips that can help

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Use this Web site? Review It!

  • What did you think about Sportsline?

  •  I think this Web site is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    Jill Murphy
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 4.0

    Great for sports fans!

    This is a site parents and kids can share. They can check out clips of games and touch base about their favorite teams. My husband and kids love it. There are the usual commercials, but that's not the main focus of the site. It's especially great for this time of year when NCAA and Baseball overlap.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Now Playing

    Age 9+
    Where the Wild Things Are

    Where the Wild Things Are

    Sometimes-dark adaptation focuses on friendship, loneliness.

  • Advice for Parents

    Are Your Kids Obsessed with Twilight & New Moon?

    Are Your Kids Obsessed with Twilight & New Moon?

    Discussion pointers for parents of "twilighters."

  • Must See TV

    Age 7+
    Fanboy and Chum Chum

    Fanboy and Chum Chum

    Zany adventures are low on depth but high on imagination.

  • Issue Spotlight

    The 10 Most Violent Video Games (And 10 Alternatives)

    The 10 Most Violent Video Games (And 10 Alternatives)

    Our video game experts weigh in.

  • Download This

    Age 3+
    "Wash Your Hands" (CD single)

    "Wash Your Hands" (CD single)

    "Acccchhhoooo!" A funny reminder to help kids fight the flu.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
(It's free!)

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.