iCarly

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Mostly harmless tween comedy site is spattered with ads.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

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.

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

What's it about?

Kids who are fans of the iCarly TV show can engage in lots of extra media about the show. They can play short video games, watch extra TV clips,  read blog entries written by the characters, and watch (and even submit) videos made by other kids. It’s important to know this is a commercial site made by the TV network and is heavy on advertisements.


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.


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What families can talk about

  • 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?


This review was written by Dana Villamagna
Kid, 12 years old
March 13, 2011
 
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!

Flag as inappropriate 
Kid, 11 years old
March 24, 2011
 
icarly
I love icarly! It is a very cool show. I love the comedy. P.S I think Sam is a great role model. She ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!

Flag as inappropriate 
Kid, 12 years old
June 30, 2010
 
halo
its awsome

Flag as inappropriate 
Kid, 10 years old
July 9, 2010
 
I love iCarly so much but my dad doesn't let me watch iCarly so sendme something when you get this letter YOUR FRIEND DILARA D-I-L-A-R-A

Flag as inappropriate 
Kid, 11 years old
July 6, 2010
 
i love i carly alot. i just want ot see some kissing n it

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Adult
May 4, 2010
 
back off moms and dads
you should let kids watch this show its just like hannah montana or even victorious. plus its funny and educatoinal it has no inappropriot word suggestions games or videos on icarly parents LET KIDS WATCH IT WITH OUT SUPERVISON AND BACK OFF

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Parent
December 11, 2010
 
great for 8 and up
i think it is a good after school show it funny and who would want to do what they do it's random there comedians and all of them are now i have icarly on demand and i go behind the scenes and a very good show nothing wrong with it

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Kid, 11 years old
June 14, 2010
 
I carly perfect
Me and my mom watch it all the time. Its violent beacause sams the girl bully sexy stuff beacause the flirting a kisses and it says suckish boobish etc and the shampow its real and its perfect fun for any tween girl

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Teen, 15 years old
June 17, 2010
 
whats so good about icary
i love yall show so much

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Teen, 16 years old
January 12, 2011
 
sam is a good role model.
sam is good role model cause even though she's violent she does have real problems that some people can relate to and really she is a good person at heart.she doesnt really have much though or a good home life. other then that you shouldnt take everything they say and do too seriously love jennette mccurdy

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This review was written by Dana Villamagna
Genre:Fan Sites

This review was written by Dana Villamagna

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About our rating system
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.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

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