| ON: Content is age-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. | |
| NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Parents need to know that Britney's song lyrics (which can be heard through song clips on the site) are uninspiring and are based around the theme of losing control. Provocative photos of Britney at twenty-something are scattered throughout.
The opening picture on the site sets the tone: Britney reveals herself as she pulls aside heavy, purple velvet curtains. Behind her, a large window frames an unfocused landscape of pink and fuchsia. Britney appears somewhat shell-shocked, as if she's asking herself, "Where am I, how did I get here, and why am I dressed this way?" Barely covering her tan are black briefs and a skimpy black leather jacket that is unzipped almost down to her navel. She's outrageous, out of control, and she sings about it all as you browse the site. But there's more! In the Official Britney Spears' Press area, we see numerous photos of "Nobody's Angel" herself, in various states of deshabille, including a Rolling Stone cover shot that looks like it should have been in Playboy instead. While you're downloading chat icons, reading about an upcoming tour, or perusing the Britney Store (a Britney wall clock is $49.95), you can listen to the jukebox clips of Britney's latest album.
Lots of negative messages here, so parents may not want their children (even young tweens) browsing this site. Here's a sample of some of Britney's lyrics: "I don't really wanna be a tease / Would you undo my zipper, please / Uh uh, please don't talk." And here's another: "I was shaking my ass in the streets this morning / Just walked in and it's early morning / Passed out on the couch I'm yawning."
To its credit, the site also offers information on The Britney Spears Foundation and its work with young children in the performing arts. But somehow the juxtaposition of competing messages here doesn't quite fit.
Families can talk about the appeal of pop superstars. Do you like Britney's music, and if so, why? What kind of message does she send through her music and through this Web site?
| Genre: | Fan Sites |
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