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MTV.com/Overdrive (http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/)

common sense media says

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

parents & educators say
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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.

Educational value: Some of the channels offer interesting feature programming, such as a profile of a young man who started a Web site registry for kids who were conceived with the help of a sperm bank donor. The kids use the registry to find their half-siblings.
Positive messages: The music videos generally feature women as sex objects, but, after all, music is only one of the many channels on Overdrive.
Violence: Some of the music videos imply violence.
Sex: Although the music videos are the "clean" lyrics versions, there's plenty of sexual talk and innuendo in what's left.
Language: 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.
Consumerism: Brief commercials between the videos and in an ad box on the page.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Some videos show people smoking and drinking.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on MTV.com/Overdrive

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
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.

Is it any good?

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.

This review was written by Jean Armour Polly
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

soso921
parent of 9 year old
10
 
not for kids 1 and up
bad
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helped me decide (8) | had useful details (7) | read my mind (11)
sk8rgrl895
 
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.
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was this review useful?
helped me decide (4) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (11)

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
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