MTV.com/Overdrive

Review

Common Sense Media says

Broadband video-on-demand for MTV-hooked teens.
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

Not yet rated

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that they can visit this site to preview videos and music. It's an easy way to find out what your kids are listening and dancing to. Like the MTV TV channel, though, this site isn't for little kids.

  • Positive messages0
    The music videos generally feature women as sex objects, but, after all, music is only one of the many channels on Overdrive.
  • Violence3
    Some of the music videos imply violence.
  • Sex3
    Although the music videos are the "clean" lyrics versions, there's plenty of sexual talk and innuendo in what's left.
  • Language3
    The music videos on this site are the "clean" lyrics versions, although if you can lip-read, you'll be able to tell what the singers are really saying. "Bitch" is an example of what's not bleeped out.
  • Consumerism3
    Brief commercials between the videos and in an ad box on the page.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking3
    Some videos show people smoking and drinking.
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What's it about?

MTV/OVERDRIVE.COM offers some of the TV channel's broadcast TV content, plus special Web-only features. The site features two major sections: channels and music videos. You'll find channels for news, movies, style, and several more. There are "uncensored" backstage interviews at the Video Music Awards, special exclusive tours to H&M's latest fashions, and more. The MTV archive is a treasure trove of fun, including 36 episodes of MADE and 17 of Making the Band, among others. In the Music Video section, you can view the most popular music videos of the moment, either by artist or by genre. See a video you like? You can easily share it with a friend. Just click to open up an email form, enter your friend's address, and send the video's URL along. Or try "MTV Playlists." Many of MTV's popular videos are archived on the site or in one of the featured MTV Playlists.

Is it any good?

 

Although it bills itself as "the ultimate broadband channel for video and pop culture," MTV Overdrive's hefty appetite for bandwidth often leaves users in "buffering ..." limbo as the videos are transferred to their home computer. The audio is usually fine, but on a cable modem connection the video is fuzzy and jumpy. The site offers no guidance on its browser requirements.

You can't escape the site's commercials. Fast food, shampoo, cell phones, and other teen "necessities" are hawked in brief advertisements and also in static ad boxes as you select content to view. Parents can visit this site to preview videos and music, and find out what your kids are listening and dancing to. Get a quick course in pop culture trends, and maybe you'll gain some insight into your teen's world, too. But this site isn't for little kids. There are plenty of adult themes in the music videos and site features.

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What families can talk about

Families can talk about music and fashion trends, entertainment news, and more. What kind of music do you like to listen to? Which musicians are your favorite, and why? If parents want a crash course in teen culture, this site is a good start.

This review was written by Jean Armour Polly
Parent of 10 year old
January 9, 2010
AGE
10
 
not for kids 1 and up
bad
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April 9, 2008
AGE
 
Ok for everyone
MTV overdrive is ok for any one who wants to see shows hey missed or videos. It's not like a kid is going on there just to look for bad stuff, i mean you see what you want to see. Plus they good commercials about living above the influence.
Was this review useful?
Helped me decide (6) | Had useful details (6) | Read my mind (27)
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This review was written by Jean Armour Polly
Genre:Music
This review was written by Jean Armour Polly

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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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