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CWTV (http://www.cwtv.com)

common sense media says

CW shows streaming online; some iffy stuff.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that kids can view entire episodes of CW shows on this hub -- shows like Gossip Girl and Supernatural which are for older teens. And, despite the fact the site likely has mostly teen visitors, the CW channel doesn't view itself as a place for kids; the site cautions that its community is not for those under 13. That said, there are plenty of shows that are fine for kids. The CW Lounge message boards are monitored, and warn any inappropriate language will be removed, but some chatter walks the line of too-adult for teens, including a recent discussion on how disappointingly innocent a recent sex scene was. Also, users can send private messages to each other and create a buddy list to see when other users are online.

Educational value: Not applicable.
Positive messages: Some of the shows display catty behavior, backstabbing, lying, and characters that are obsessed with clothes.
Violence: Wrestling show coverage shows some fighting, but it's fairly tame. Other shows have action violence with guns, fists, and blood.
Sex: Some of the shows have mature sexual situations; teenagers making out in cars, losing virginity, drunken sex, cheating.
Language: Regular profanity like "bitch" and "ass," "hell," "damn," "bastard," etc.
Consumerism: Many shows have product placement and promote certain things such as cell phones, computers, and clothes. show-related shopping. Users can purchase wallpaper designs and ringtones featuring spoken samples from CW shows. One link for a Gossip Girl style section leads users to an online commercial for Victoria's Secret. The site's cool music section is a particularly detailed online store, linking to songs from CW shows and giving users the chance to preview and buy entire albums by the featured artists.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Teens drink and smoke (both cigarettes and pot) in some of the shows.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

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What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about which TV shows are appropriate for kids to watch and which ones aren't? What themes make a show good for all ages? What storylines should be reserved only for older teens and adults? Families can also go over what kind of information is unsafe to give out online. What kind isn't?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Although there's a lot of fun stuff on CWTV.com, it's also sales central-- apparently, the TV ads during the shows just weren't enough. The site takes fan frenzy to another level, giving users access not only to show info, but to a bevy of show-related shopping. Users can purchase wallpaper designs and ringtones featuring spoken samples from CW shows. One link for a Gossip Girl style section leads users to an online commercial for Victoria's Secret. The site's music section -- although cool -- is a particularly detailed online store, linking to songs from CW shows and allowing users to preview and buy entire albums by the artists. Users can mix their own promotional show videos in the CW Lab using clips from various shows, which the channel says it might air -- meaning the CW has not only found a way to get users to watch its ads, but to also create them!
This review was written by Erin Brereton
 
 

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Superman23
teen, 17 years old
 
A normal tv network website
It has all the same features every other tv network website has. It streams episodes of tv shows that air on The CW. Some shows are iffy in content, but they are ok. There are forums which are checked frequently by the sites manager people. They delete content and the user's file if they put something inappropriate on. So pretty safe website for ages 13 and up.
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hateyourwebsite
adult
14
 
I think it is completely age inappropriate
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helped me decide (4) | had useful details (5) | read my mind (3)

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ON: Content is 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
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