Howcast (http://howcast.com)
common sense media says
Free site's top-notch how-to videos include sex tutorials.
parents & educators say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that most of the videos on this excellent how-to site are kid-friendly, but some cater to adults. The Sex & Relationships section contains hundreds of videos alone. Even the teen section features sex advice some parents might find objectionable, such as how to get on the Pill or tell your folks you're pregnant. The site specifically states that users must be older than 13 to use the site, but it has so many nicely done instructional videos written just for kids that it would be a shame to ban it outright. Parents will want to keep an eye on what kids are watching -- the site makes all videos accessible -- and prescreen if necessary.
Educational value:
There are hundreds of hours of helpful instructional how-tos and wiki text guides in 25 categories ranging from pets to technology to crafts. Although mostly aimed at an adult audience, most videos are easy enough for kids to understand and use, too. In addition, tweens and teens have their own well-stocked sections that teach games (“How to Draw a Maze") and social skills ("How to Find Someone to Sit With in the Cafeteria").
Registered users (who must be over 13) can try submitting their own how-to videos or text wikis with photos. If the topic is deemed interesting enough, the site will create a slideshow or shoot its own video version. Pretty cool.
Violence:
Nothing too objectionable unless you're a parent concerned about kids imitating the moves in self-defense and martial arts instructional videos, of which there are many. Some cartoonish violence, too; for instance, a claymation bear repeatedly rips the head off a hapless claymation man, and a remarkably realistic stop-action T-Rex munches a live-action victim.
Sex:
Amply covered with several hundred how-tos available in the Sex & Relationships section of the site. These videos, many of which can be funny, teach how to flirt, kiss, have sex in a car and fake an orgasm, among other romantic skills. A series called Ask Dan and Jennifer features a winsome therapist couple answering common questions about sex. Nudity is only hinted at, and of the dozen or so videos aimed at teens, only one ("How to Seduce your Professor") offers irresponsible advice about sex. Still, the adult sex how-tos are pretty, well, adult, and most parents will not want tweens watching these parts of the site without supervision.
Language:
Mostly tame. A video on how to tell ghost stories begins with, "It was a dark and stormy night and you wanted to scare the crap out of your campfire friends."
Consumerism:
Pretty commercial. Ads appear on top of videos, next to videos and occasionally mixed in with video thumbnail search results. The banners and Google ads are often tie-ins, which makes them especially effective; for instance, a video on how to tame frizzy hair might be accompanied by an ad for a hair-straightening product. Most of the products are G-rated mainstream stuff like automobiles, network TV shows and beauty products.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
Drinking isn't exactly glorified, but neither is it treated very seriously, unlike the smoking-related how-tos, which are generally about quitting. The tongue-in-cheek alcohol-related videos include "How to Fake Being Sober." The drug-related videos are mostly about the effects of various medications.
Privacy & safety:
Anyone over the age of 13 can join the site and start uploading videos or text wikis immediately. The only guideline is that content must be how-to or instructional and not "obscene." The only personal information required to join is an email address, which can be seen by others on the user's profile page. If kids comment on videos or create a playlist of their favorite videos, these will be visible, too, until they close the account. But more intimate information, such as photos, gender, hometown, and school, is optional.
Kids can watch any video on the site without registering or revealing their age. Parental consent is required only if a child under 18 wants to upload a how-to video.
More on Howcast
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Most useful reviews by all members
Kitty Cat Meow
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
I find HowCast very amusing. I did watch a video on how to lockpick once where the woman demonstating pulled out a paperclip from between her breasts. But that is, honestly, the only graphic content I've seen in their media.
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Digits
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
nice site
it really isa great instuctional site an tells great ativities but some content may be inaproppiate
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AlisonRox
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
Pathetic just pathetic
Still, I love watching How Cast just for my entertainment. The 'Sex and Relationships' section is iffy, but not too bad. There's one about 'having sex in a car' though. Most of their guides are pretty much useless and I watch them all the time cuz I'm really weird. Why the hell would I want to eat a spider? Eww.
But mostly the guides are useless and nobody is going to follow it. But it's very amusing.
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narutofangirl101
kid, 11 years old
kid, 11 years old
umm................
a well i dont think its good since some videos are for adults and it says 10 to 13 i just dont get it.
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CommonSenseMed ...
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
HowCast should be a Restricted Site to anyone under 18, Block HowCast Younger than 18!
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nachobean
kid, 11 years old
kid, 11 years old
howcast rules
i am nine and have many odd hobbies and spend LOADS of time watching these! and why the heck would i want to know how to kiss? it is AWESOME but is iffy for some crazy people
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ParamoreFan09
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
It's useful!
It DOES have some bad things, but when you need a how-to video, just search it and you'll get results for almost everything! :)
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sk8ter922
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
Am weird.
Am a very weird kid but mature.I have weird hobbies that i spend hours watching these videos.Even if i don't even smoke i would still watch "How to quit smoking."Also a habbit of staying up late watching infomercials on weekends.
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peaceoutelsa
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
Ok for 10-13 year olds just beware!
iI think it is iffy for 10-13 year olds because when I went on it the first few things i saw were: how to do your hair, how to handle pregnancy, and how to stop smoking.
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