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  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 10; suggested age 10.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Sports heaven is safe, but news has mature stuff.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 10 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    Sports fans will love the statistics, updates, and videos about every major and most minor American sports. This is not a site created specifically for kids or teens, however, so when the dark side of sports news is reported, it's not put into context to help kids process that information on their maturity level.
 

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    True to life, the news and message boards sometimes include information about illegal behavior, like doping and gambling. This is written for mainly an adult audience, not taking into consideration that young teens may be reading about these athletes who are their role models.
  • Violence:

    Not an issue.
  • Sex:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Lots of ads for ESPN shows and ESPN-related products, as well as for big-ticket items like trucks and the occasional political ad. There's a link to the ESPN store.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Some of the articles talk about doping, but not in a positive light.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About ESPN

Parents need to know that this comprehensive sports site isn't really geared toward kids, but there's not much here that's inappropriate for them. Sports fans must be 13 years old to become a member, giving them access to safe forums and other "MyESPN" features, like personal profiles, blogs, and friends lists. Members only have to give their first name and a parent's email address. Even though most of the content is straightforward stats, analysis, and just plain fun, sometimes the sporting world's underbelly shows a more serious side (doping, racism, gambling) that requires a parent's -- not a message board's -- explanation and guidance.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about why athletes are idolized in our culture. What do athletes do that should be praised? Criticized? On a lighter note, how can young sports fans use the information on ESPN to learn math (check out the stats), geography (team locations), or history?

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it 5.0

    Fantastic

    For teens and adults but for younger kids they do report everything that happens to sports players, inclueding drugs, killings, and some gambling, but I do think it is really great!

  2. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title off for age 5 and give it 3.0

    most 9 and above

    it is a nice sport website but it is for 9 and above can watch this

  3. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 3.0

    I don't think so!

    This site is very mature for young children. There are some videos for hard-hits and tackles. They sometimes has reports on issues involving drugs, drinking, and language. I would supervise your child while there on this site if they are below 10 years of age.

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