 | 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. |
Howcast
Common Sense Media says
Free site's top-notch how-to videos include sex tutorials.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
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.
Is it any good?
How do you remember a word you've blanked on, help a friend improve her self-esteem, or kiss like Angelie Jolie? Howcast -- YouTube only funnier and smarter -- answers these timeless questions and more. The site boasts 100,000-plus how-to videos and text guides organized by topic including games, health & nutrition, kids, and teens. Each rewindable video is broken out into easy-to-follow steps. The acting is droll and the lessons, serious or not, can be very good. Claymation, stop-action, and the odd farm animal glued to a popsicle stick (see “How to Tip a Cow”) are just a few of the techniques effectively used to get ideas across. Prepare to laugh out loud.
This site will keep any halfway curious eight-year-old engrossed and giggling for hours. Therein lies the rub for parents, who will need to decide whether they're OK with kids stumbling across Howcast's brand of sex education. The videos are tasteful and feature little bare flesh but do contain frank language. And as for Angie? To kiss like her you'll need "full, pillowy lips" and "an inappropriate partner," preferably someone
else's husband.
Online interaction: Leaving comments after videos is the only means of interacting on the site. Most of the comments sections were empty when we visited -- except for the sex videos, which drew some predictably suggestive remarks.
What families can talk about
Discuss what satire is. While they usually have a grain of truth, some of the silly how-to videos on this site do not necessarily model ideal behavior.
What kind of how-to video or wiki could families try creating for this
site? Choose something you're knowledgeable about, such
as teaching the family pet a trick, and write down the steps. Parents
can help younger kids shoot videos using the site's special enhancement tools.
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- Parents
- Teens & kids
Kid, 12 years old
July 8, 2010
AGE
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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Kid, 12 years old
April 28, 2010
AGE
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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Kid, 12 years old
September 26, 2009
AGE
nice site
it really isa great instuctional site an tells great ativities but some content may be inaproppiate
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Kid, 12 years old
July 3, 2011
AGE
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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Kid, 11 years old
August 23, 2010
AGE
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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AGE
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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Kid, 12 years old
August 18, 2010
AGE
HowCast should be a Restricted Site to anyone under 18, Block HowCast Younger than 18!
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Kid, 12 years old
March 29, 2010
AGE
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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AGE
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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| Genre: | Educational |
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