Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that although there are games on this site that are completely appropriate for younger kids, most of them are best for older tweens and teens, as several feature various types of combat and cartoon-style violence (dismemberment, splattering blood). There's no categorization of the games by age and no guide for age-appropriateness. Also, the site displays links and portals to other sites where you have to be 18 or older to play the games because they contain graphic violence. Parents should also be aware that the more entertaining games -- not surprisingly -- can be quite addicting, so you may want to monitor the amount of time your child spends on the site.
Families can talk about the violence in some of the games. Do you like to play the games where there's combat or where you have to shoot or otherwise eliminate a person, zombie, animal, etc.? What do you like about these games? How are they different from real life, in terms of the way people behave or should behave? Families can also talk about the games on the site. What do you get out of playing these games? Do you feel like you learn anything? Families can also watch our video featuring tips for safe online gaming.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Larisa Wiseman
The founders of CRAZYMONKEYGAMES.COM -- which offers a large collection of free video- and arcade-style games -- say their aim in creating the site was "to provide a fun, friendly, and entertaining Web site for everyone to enjoy," and for the most part they live up to their goal. The wide array of games range from easy to complex, and from cute and kid-friendly (herding sheep to their pens, an Easter egg hunt, a ladybug race) to somewhat disturbing or twisted (war games, assassin role-playing, zombie executions, a kitty trouncing, and mangling mice). Players can rate the games, and the average rating is shown for each game. Fair warning to parents: This site can be addicting, and not necessarily in a good way.
For some tween-friendly games with real educational value, check out WebRangers and NASA Space Place.
Reviewed: 09/11/2007
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ViolenceA few of the games depict cartoon-style violence (dismemberment and splattering blood), and some have the player take on the role of assassin. Also, the site displays links and portals to other sites where you have to be 18 or older to play the games because they contain graphic violence. |
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Social BehaviorA focus on fighting and killing in some of the games could send the wrong message to youngsters. |
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CommercialismThere's a link to an online store, where you can purchase T-shirts with the site's logo. Also, a rotating banner at the top of the home page occasionally hawks products or services, and a banner (often advertising other game sites) appears below the game you're playing. |
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