Homestarrunner (http://www.homestarrunner.com/)

common sense media says

Clever, quirky cartoon series for teens.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that there is some "potty humor" and cartoon violence depicted on the site. Families who visit this site will be disappointed that, despite the appealing cartoon characters, it's not for children.

Educational value: It's quirky but that's what teens like.
Positive messages: "Stealing from The Man" and similar topics
Violence: Violence against cartoon peasants, superheroes, etc.
Sex: References to "make-outs" but no sexual situations.
Language: Some potty humor.
Consumerism: Homestar merchandise for sale.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: References to "opening a cold one," illustration of a bar with bottles strewn about, etc.

More on Homestarrunner

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about how this site has no advertising. Why do you think the creators decided to keep it ad-free? Also, who's the audience for this site? What's the appeal of the super-low-tech games? Who's your favorite character, and why?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Homestar Runner has achieved cult status on the Internet, with thousands of fans tuning in for new installments every week to see how absurd things can get. Only at HomestarRunner.com will you hear about hamburger shampoo, the parsnip shortage, and how to appeal to the ladies by sanding off your nipples. Told you it wasn't for kids -- but teens and college students are addicted.

This review was written by Jean Armour Polly
 
 

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What parents & educators say

10

Most useful reviews by all members

Thunderbird
parent of 10 year old
 
Where Ten Year Olds Can Browse Freely.
This is by far one of the safest sites on the internet. Why this website gave it the same rating as SOUTH PARK I'll never know. Through hundreds and hundreds of toons, barely a swear, and everything free with NO ADs! This is the only website I'd be okay with my ten year old going to unsupervised.

hamstergurl09
teen, 17 years old
 
Iffy for 15-17? I was watching this at age 9!
I LOVE IT! Homestar Runner has been my favorite website ever since my older cousin showed it to me when I was 9. The characters are quirky and funny, and it's kind of surreal. Come on Common Sense Media, iffy for 15-17? Have you even BEEN on the site? It's great for tweens and teenagers. Some people just don't understand it, though. Definitely give it a try, you'll probably like it.

supersayian
kid, 12 years old
 
Trogdor!!!
TROGDOR! TROGDOR!Trogdor was a man!I mean, he was a dragon-man, Or maybe he was just a dragon...But he was still TROGDOR! TROGDOR! Burninating the countryside,Burninating the peasants,Burninating all the peoples,And their thatched-roof COTTAGES!THATCHED-ROOF COTTAGES! TROGDOR! TROGDOR! And the Trogdor comes in the NIIIIIGHT!

Meredith the ...
teen, 16 years old
 
This isn't really for kids, but most of the content isn't too bad, and it's all VERY funny
Hmm... I'm fifteen and have just recently found the site. I really love it, but I only share certian episodes with my sisters. It really isn't a site specifically designed for children, but it's nowhere near as bad as South Park, the Simpsons, or Family Guy. The creators specifically try to avoid swearing and vulgarity. However, the characters drink alchohol, occasionally smoke (although the only main character who actually is a smoker is The Cheat, and they rarely show him smoking), and there are a select few scenes in certian videos that are a little iffy. The site does also show blood on occasion, and does have toilet humor in it, although it doesn't really run on that type of humor. It's mostly just full of in-jokes that you slowly understand more and more of the more episodes you watch, quirky humor, and references to 70s, 80s, and 90s pop culture, video games, and music. Most of the time though, I can show these to my younger sisters and we all enjoy them together. They're REALLY funny, and I've often laughed out loud at them (something uncommon for me even with cartoons that I really enjoy). Just note that the characters are certianly not role models of any sort, so you might want to make sure that your kids know not to follow in Strong Bad's footsteps (although it's pretty obvious that he really doesn't ever know what he's talking about). I don't see why it got rated iffy 15-17 though. Maybe if you're hyper protective/protected, like me... I don't think I could have brought myself to watch this a year ago; the references to alchohol would have creeped me out. But South Park is ridiculously worse. I'd reccommend maybe, say, 10 and up, although it really varies between toons. Sorry for the long, mixed up review.

 
I Love This Guy!!!.
Ages 15+? Common Sense Media always overrate stuff at times. Homestar Runner is a great site for flash fun!!! Fun cartoons and just as fun games, I'd say any kid ages 6/7+ could get on. Happy Tree Friends is 100x worse than Homestar Runner, Amy Winfrey, and Bulbo combined. I'd suggest Amy Winfrey to the slightly younger crowd if you're scared of Homestar.

 
H*R
This show is the best flash show ever made in the internet.

gamerkid660
kid, 12 years old
 
TWEEN SITE HAS ALL THE HUMOR
it is so funny! There is quirkiness, humor, not to mention slapstick! there is refrence to make outs right!

ROMO1
kid, 13 years old
 
cs needs glasses on this one
this is the best website ever you guys must not be watching what i am watching

Shinigami1994
teen, 17 years old
 
Great, quirky, funny site.
I love Homestarrunner. It's hilarious, idiosyncratic, and fun for everyone. It's nothing that a 9-year-old couldn't handle. Sure, there's some references to making out, and the role models aren't the best, but that aside, it is a great site. Violence? Really, CSM? The extent of the violence is a punch or kick here and there. I can't believe this got the same CSM rating as South Park. In short, Fun for all ages.

Shotgunned
teen, 14 years old
 
It needs a way lower level -__- they didnt read FAQ
I loved it , i watched it 3 years ago , it isnt bad at all , this is a cartoon that will say , "crap" sometimes , but there is nothing bad. Very funny . Good for ages 7+

122334shadow
teen, 18 years old
 
I say it's for 12+ or 13+ depending on what you want your kids to see.
I like it.really the only thing to worry about is the mild blood in some of strong bad's emails.And the blood is not from real people,blood is from pictures in the videos.So far I have only seen 1 inappropriate thing that was bad for young kids.

charlesutah
teen, 16 years old
 
What is your problem?
Homestar Runner is probably recommended for ages 9 and above. What could possibly be wrong with it? It is a hilarious website for everyone to enjoy.

Samurai 2.0
teen, 17 years old
 
Great flash site.
My favorite is Strong Bad Emails. The content is mostly appropriate for all ages, except for a very little amount of episodes (one is mentioned in the CSM review) which are best for tweens and up.

RustedFox
parent of 7 year old
 
A fun site to share
I really enjoy this site and occasionally share it with my son, although he doesn't watch it alone. I definitely recommend staying away from the teen girl squad videos with younger kids.

Coolnone
teen, 15 years old
 
Not my favorite.
The website is fine, but it's not my favorite. (THREE STARS)

Snicklin
teen, 14 years old
 
I watch this all the time!
The one thing that concerned my parents is the Peacy P. thing. But that was only one mistake, and my parents still let me watch it. :D Oh, and a comment to zhp7654; I don't think explosions are a very big problem, and the "make-outs" are never actually shown. Yes, the word "crap" is used several thousand times, but ten year-olds can handle that.

Awesome_O
teen, 15 years old
 
Clean tween fun.
Iffy 15-17? You've got to be kidding me. The content of Homestar Runner is equal to the content you see on Total Drama Island, which you give 10+.

peacebridgeyy
teen, 17 years old
 
THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH HOMESTAR RUNNER. It's just a fun, quirky site. There really is nothing wrong with it. And any mention of cold ones, making out, etc, goes right over younger kids' heads. There's seriously no objectionable content whatsever.

Lady_Homestar
teen, 16 years old
 
I love homestar! Common sense media is retarded. I wanna slap the person who reviewed Homestar Runner. 2+! Oh, and someone said making out was "not appropriate for ages 11-12" AHAHAHAH I laugh at that. Kids that age actually MAKE OUT at that age. And talk about sex. No f*cking joke. I'm so angry, people are stupid. HOMESTAR FOREVER

sodapopmangagirl
teen, 14 years old
 
Hilarious; but younger kids most likely wouldn't understand it.
Okay. This website may not be "good" for 5-9 year olds or whatever, because they most-likely won't understand any of it. If they don't understand it, I'd say it's just pointless. BUT, there really isn't anything "inappropriate" on this website. It may not be "family and kid-friendly material for the whole family"... But there's nothing WRONG with it and I wouldn't be concerned.

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About our rating system
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