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HBOFamily (http://www.hbofamily.com/)

common sense media says

Solid games, but HBO video is AWOL.

parents & educators say
See 2 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that most video clips on the site were broken at the time of review. There is no advertising on the site, although it may entice kids to follow more TV programs. The games featured are for different age groups: "Harold's Crayon" is recommended for ages 5+, the "Deadwood Mysteries" is for 13+, and the rest of the games are a better fit for gradeschoolers.

Educational value: Not applicable.
Positive messages: Not applicable.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Educational Program Guides include some very useful information on this.
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 themes in the shows. The Parent Handbook documentary series is geared toward discussion and includes educational guides to a few programs including one on alcohol abuse and one on September 11. Games from the grade school-focused Crashbox series can lead to questions about history, culture, and more.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
The site invites you to watch QuickTime or Real format videos and clips, but unfortunately, most attempts to open the media returned a "File not Found" or a similar message, whether we were using a Mac or a PC or various browsers. The ones that work are 20-second previews of shows, so if technical problems persist you know you're not missing much.

For some fun that works well -- as long as you have the latest Shockwave and Flash plug-ins -- click on the "Games" section, which includes"Deadwood Mysteries," "Harold and the Purple Crayon," and the addictive "Magnet Dude." Other games are similarly entertaining and will engage a wide variety of age groups.

This review was written by Jean Armour Polly
 
 

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re
teen, 14 years old
 
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helped me decide (4) | had useful details (5) | read my mind (2)
Alex Stormer
kid, 10 years old
5
 
This is good for kids 5 and up
This is ok for kids 5 an up because my sister is 4 and she plays on it sometimes with me but reading is recrmended though.
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helped me decide (1) | had useful details (1) | read my mind (1)

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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
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