Metacafe (http://metacafe.com)
common sense media says
Video site is older than YouTube but not as kid friendly.
parents & educators say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this free online video site is not a great choice for kids. Raunchy content can't be filtered and the site has as many commercials as network TV. Kids can't upload an unlimited number of videos to this premium site, which features "best of" content, nor can they make videos private like they can on YouTube. With supervision, kids can have fun watching the safe stuff on Metacafe -- singing dogs, PBS, and old TV shows like the Partridge Family and the like. But they can find all that and more on YouTube plus instantly share homemade videos with family and friends.
Educational value:
This self-described premium site is picky about submissions: users can wait days for approval and 90 percent of videos are rejected, so it's not an encouraging environment for kids. (By contrast, YouTube automatically posts videos.) The site does have some decent content for kids, but parents will have to ferret it out: a how-to section, a few Mister Rogers' Neighborhood episodes, lots of news segments and episodes of educational shows like the cooking series Epicurious.
Violence:
Most videos on the site aren't violent but some are. Watch out for gory movie trailers, intense game demos, court-room beatings caught on tape, and disturbing clips such as the soccer player who collapses and dies on the field.
Sex:
There's lots of adult-oriented material kids really shouldn't see. We found steamy movie and game previews, naughty Harry Potter parodies, ads for escort services, how-to sex tutorials and lots of naked flesh -- and that was with the Family Filter turned on.
Language:
The vast majority of clips are okay, but a few, mostly TV segments such as the Sarah Silverman Show, have crude language like f--k and a--hole. So do some of the unregulated public comments and forum posts.
Consumerism:
There are ads everywhere you turn. Most of the products being advertised are G rated and the banners are tasteful, not junky-looking flash. However, searches can turn up related Google ads that are X-rated, and most of the videos on the site are preceded by long annoying commercials that put an awful lot of product placement in the user's way. In one hour of surfing we must have sat through the same 30-second Mucinex spot at least a dozen times.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
TV and movie clips that parody or treat these bad habits matter-of-factly seem to outnumber the educational videos.
Privacy & safety:
Privacy is pretty good, although not as good as YouTube's. The only personal info users are required to share is an email address, and that's only if they want to upload their own videos. Users can remove their own videos from the site at any time. However, they can't take back comments or choose who can see their videos. All submissions, if accepted, are public.
Parents might reasonably conclude from all the ratings and filters that they have some control over what kids view but alas, as with most other video sites, they do not. Kids can watch any video, even those rated 13+ or 18+ for mature viewers. The so-called Family Filter works about as well as YouTube's minor filter; in other words, not at all judging from the nudity and foul language that sails right through.
More on Metacafe
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Most useful reviews by all members
kid, 12 years old
CSM?
I don't like CSM, it makes me say dirty words
i wouldn't go there with anyone who is not a teen.
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CSM?
I don't like CSM, it makes me say dirty words
i wouldn't go there with anyone who is not a teen.
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kid, 11 years old
CSM?
I don't like CSM, it makes me say dirty words
i wouldn't go there with anyone who is not a teen.
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9001
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
Youtube is definitely not for kids, and Metacafe is worse.
Unlike youtube, the porn and sexually explicit videos are not restricted. All you have to do is click a button confirming you are 18+. No restriction.
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Sook
teen, 16 years old
teen, 16 years old
Bad site
This site is a lot worse than YouTube or Livevideo. Any person can lie about their age and see something nasty.
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cashformoney5
kid, 11 years old
kid, 11 years old
Keep than darn family filter on!
Very explicit site. Just gotta click your 18+. Pretty bad. Go on with an adult near.
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