 | 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. |
FactCheck.org
Common Sense Media says
Excellent, unbiased political site goes in deep.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this nonpartisan site methodically dissects American politics for high school students. The impressive articles and useful analysis may be too in-depth for some young teens, but the educational branch of the site for students and teachers helps breaks things down better. Funded primarily by the Annenberg Foundation, the site has no ads and receives no money from businesses, unions, political parties, organizations, or private donors.
What's it about?
During election season, TV programs become awash in political advertising. With emotionally-charged music and images and dramatic voiceovers, these ads can be quite compelling. That is until you look at the facts behind the melodrama. But sorting through news reports, candidate Web sites, and editorials can be a lengthy process. That's where FACTCHECK.ORG comes in handy. This 2008 Webby Award-winning site provides daily analysis of U.S. political players, monitoring factual accuracy of what's said on TV and in debates, speeches, and interviews through detailed articles that provide both a summary and lengthy study of a specific subject. FactCheckEd, the educational section, interprets political lingo and catch phrases, and has a dictionary and a resource which helps kids sift through other sites by identifying them as partisan, public, or general.
Is it any good?
Like a breath of fresh air, FactCheck.org cuts through the political mudslinging and propaganda to provide real, factual information about the abstract claims made by political candidates. Just the Facts is a CNN-esque video report that dissects timely topics such as the creative video editing of campaign ads. With young correspondents and a clean look, the videocasts judiciously use news clips and commentary, making the videos easy to watch and understand. This is probably the department most accessible to kids.
Ask FactCheck is also a clever timely feature and allows visitors to ask the site's staff questions about the political campaign. As far as Web designs go, FactCheck is nicely organized and easy to navigate. It doesn't overwhelm the user with too many features, but instead presents deliberately detailed analysis that's hard to find these days.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about why a site like this is needed. Why is it better to go to a nonpartisan site for reliable information? Why do you think FactCheck.org doesn't run ads or accept funding from political parties or businesses? Families can try watching a political ad on TV and conduct their own analysis. What images were used in the ad? How did they make you feel? What music was played? What claims did the ad make about the candidate? Are they specific or general?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Okay for children, but not neutral, so encourage multiple websites.
Although this website is proposed as a neutral based fact finding website, it is sponsored by a left-biased organization. One should read about the Annenburg histories to determine how the organizations have played a part in American politics and then determine the level of "neutrality". The "facts" are definitely not neutral based and this website is not truly representative of a bi-partisan nature.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
FactCheck.org is not unbiased and has links to politcal groups and politicians
OBAMA’S CONNECTIONS TO FACTCHECK.ORG EXPOSED:
Keep in mind: Senator Obama was the first Chairman of the Board of the Chicago Annenberg Challenge, which was a Division, or Project, of the Annenberg Foundation.(FactCheck.org is a Division/Project of the Annenberg Foundation)
William (Bill) Ayers, unrepentant Weather Underground terrorist and a friend of the Obamas, was instrumental in founding the Challenge, thanks to his ties to Mayor Richard Daley. The first Daley was also a pal of Thomas Ayers, Bill’s father, former CEO of ComEd (owned by Exelon- big contributor to Obama and nuclear energy company).
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Should be Required Reading!
Fact Check is a wonderful source for finding the facts related to various rumors and distortions, particularly political information.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Doesn't live up to it's promise
The articles are not bias free, as they claim.
Was this review useful?
|
|
Contact us to give us more feedback on our learning ratings.
Review It
Tell us what you think about our new Learning Ratings. We value your feedback.
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already visited it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
