Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that the most questionable part of this comprehensive sports hub is the users' comments, but they're kind of hidden and most of the posts stay clean -- a filter takes out swear words to make "f--k yeah!" become "[profane] yeah!" -- although kids can get around it with some clever rewording ("fxck," for example). The occasional user posts links to outside betting sites in the message boards. Also, whenever you register, Yahoo! collects personal information such as your name, email address, birth date, ZIP code, and personal interests. Content can be read without registering, but to get an account kids under 13 must have parent create a Yahoo! Family Account. Kids under 13 are also never contacted about marketing items without parental permission. The site does link to the unmonitored message boards on Rivals.com, which can't be read without a subscription. There's a sports store, sponsored links, and a few ads.
Families can talk about why athletes are idolized in our culture. What do athletes do that should be praised? Criticized? Families can also discuss why parental permission is important. Why would a parent need to register first on a Web site to make sure their kid's time on that site was safe?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Erin Brereton
YAHOO! SPORTS is a sports fan's dream, featuring headlines, scores from recent games, columns reacting to games, fantasy league information -- just about everything athletic you would want to read about. The site covers the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, WNBA, boxing, NASCAR, soccer, several college sports (including women's basketball and football), and more. Live college broadcasts are also featured. Each section has a blog, a list of standings, videos, and other information. Users can customize the site with the Yahoo! Team Tracker, which allows them to select and display info about their favorite teams.
Yahoo! Sports just keeps getting better. The add new tools all the time, making an already uncomplicated site even easier to use, such as being able to drag and drop players on your fantasy team's roster. Highly organized, uber-informative, and just plain fun, Yahoo! Sports gives sports fan a cool glimpse inside the athletic world -- and makes them feel like they're involved, not sitting on the sidelines.
Kids may also enjoy ESPN.com, NBCsports.com, and SIKids.com.
Reviewed: 03/25/2008
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LanguageUsers can post comments, but they're kind of hidden. Most of the posts stay clean; there's a filter that takes out swear words ("f--k yeah!" becomes "[profane] yeah!"), but kids can get around it with some clever rewording ("fxck," for example). |
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Social BehaviorSome users post links to outside betting sites in the message boards. |
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CommercialismMinimal ads for Yahoo! personals, special sports programs on TV, all the major leagues, movie rental services, and more. A "shop" link leads users to Yahoo's online sports store, featuring official gear. Sponsored links at the end of each article often relate to the area content -- for example, the NASCAR articles include offers for NASCAR mini-helmets. Also, many of the interactive elements are only offered on Rivals.com, which involves fees. The annual Ultimate Ticket membership is $99.95 a year; the monthly cost is $9.95. The site offers a free 7-day trial, but you must enter a credit card to enroll. |
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