iCarly (http://icarly.com/)

common sense media says

Mostly harmless tween comedy site is spattered with ads.

parents & educators say

42% say there are positive messages
25% say sexual content is an issue

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this sister site to Nickelodeon's TV show iCarly is a safe and fun place for tweens to upload preapproved silly videos to be featured on the site and on the show. There's a lot of tween-age and younger fans posting on this site, and not all the content is appropriate for the youngest elementary ages (references to dating, bras, etc.). So if you have a younger iCarly fan, consider sitting down and viewing the site together first. Younger kids will also need a lot of help if they wish to upload videos. Kids are warned before entering areas with ads -- but there are still a lot of them. Kids can post moderated comments.

Educational value: The educational benefit for tech-savvy kids is great. How To Make Your Own Web Show section covers lighting, audio, and other video-making tips. The games are simply fun fluff, though.

Positive messages: The overall message encourages kids to be creative by making their own videos. It also encourages responsibility and good digital citizenship by requiring kids to get signed releases for all the people who appear in the videos, as well as parent permission to submit photos or videos. Also, promotes laughter and having fun, but also loyalty to a TV character.

Violence: The game World of Warlords has a soldier in a castle throwing meat, fireballs, and blowing toxic gas at enemies. If hit, they fall backwards and lay flat on the ground. No blood. The game Dip Miss Briggs challenges players to "dip" a bobble head teacher into vats of cat vomit, used tissues, fish guts, and more in a given specific order.

Sex: A few inclusions of shirtless male characters, like a game called "Gibby's Shirtless Showdown" with a big-bellied Gibby cartoon character. Carly's real-life photo on the blog holding up a laptop computer with a large, hot pink bra on the screen.

Language: Some mild slang (similar to what is said on the show). The content rating scale reads "suckish" vs. "rocks." One game is iKick Butt.

Consumerism: Animated, flashing, and talking ads for Nickelodeon shows, McDonalds, online games, and more. But the site warns you with a separate "bumper page" when you are about to enter a section with ads.

Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

Privacy & safety: Only non-personally identifiable information is collection for general site registration. Comments are moderated and videos are pre-approved before going live. For features like newsletters and contests, email addresses may be collected. Site complies with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Parents have to sign a form authorizing kids' videos to be featured on the site. Parental permission is not required for kids to post comments on the site. Parents can print out and fax a form to request information from Nickelodeon about any identifiable information on their child.

Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about how ads are designed to get viewers' attention. Look through a few online ads together and note how they are labeled, if they are animated, and what tactics are used in order to get the user to click on them. Read our Selling to Kids Tips for more advice on navigating ads.
If your kids are interested in filming themselves, take a look at our video on Creating With Digital Media.
Discuss why some of the games may be fun, but not necessarily in the best taste. Where does funny cross the line into gross or disrespectful for your family?

Is it any good?

iCARLY is good, silly tween fun, much like its ever-popular TV show. If you can ignore the ads, the site is an occasional visit-worthy companion to the show that encourages positive audience participation. Some of the homemade fan videos go beyond silly into the not-worth-watching category, but others are really good and show what kids can create with an idea and a video camera (and a parent's written permission). The games are just silly, no educational value here. There are lots of ways for tweens to feel like they're interacting with the iCarly crew.

Online interaction: Comments are moderated and seem generally positive.

This review was written by Dana Villamagna

Review It

What parents & educators say

Based on 71 parent & educator reviews:

42% say there are positive messages
25% say sexual content is an issue
25% say it's educational

Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

chocolatelover_4
kid, 12 years old

Perfect for kids over 10!

I think it's 10 plus because of there videos some videos are good and some are not so great but, none of the videos are bad for people over the age of 10!

What other families should know

iCarly (http://icarly.com/)

common sense media says

parents & educators say

What parents need to know

More on iCarly

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Is it any good?

Is it any good?

Review It

Review iCarly

What parents & educators say

Most useful reviews by all members

Perfect for kids over 10!

icarly

halo

back off moms and dads

great for 8 and up

I carly perfect

whats so good about icary

sam is a good role model.

About icarly

Carly and Sam barely in website videos and graphics take forever to load.

Way too much bad stuff!!

Boon's rating

Terrible for all kids

icarly

i love i carly

Fun site!

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