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  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 0, age appropriate for kids over 4; suggested age 4.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    PBS Kids' offshoot offers fun for preschoolers.

On this site kids can:   play games, watch videos
updated 09.02.09

Why We Rated This on for Ages 4 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    There is a lot of educational content that goes beyond academics -- like practicing sign language and learning about sea life.

  • User-created content:

    Not an issue.

  • Messages:

    In the games, activities, and videos there are positive messages about the importance of family, developing a love of learning, and healthy eating.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Not an issue.

  • Sex:

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    The site runs ads and promotes PBS shows and characters -- many of which, like Bob the Builder, have become pretty commercialized.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

How safe is it?

  • Personal privacy:

    Not an issue.

  • Online interaction:

    The site does not offer user-to-user interaction, but it encourages kids to send in stuff to the site, like a letter to their grandparents that could be used on TV, or artwork they've created. There's a parent section that lets parents post comments.

  • Parental controls:

    Parental controls are not offered, but many of the photos are of kids and their parents using the computer together.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About SproutOnline

Parents need to know that this site is an extension of the PBS Kids Sprout cable channel. Most of the content comes directly from the channel's popular shows, but the site is fun and visually notable enough that kids won't mind seeing the same stuff online.

Did this review help you decide?

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Our Members Say

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See all 10 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Parent Reviewer
    cesuser
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive consumerism

    • My highlights are:
    • Educational

    carmen the tv and the comuter

    I really love it because it will be fun and i mean super fun

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    gem princess
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Safety is an issue

    Flag as inappropriate
  3. Parent Reviewer
    aduubb
    I rate this title on for age 3 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages

    its not bad one bit wow its fine!

    i think its so learny ish and you can realy learn from it wow!

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  4. Parent Reviewer
    beccasmom12345
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • User content is age appropriate

    beccasmom

    I love it I just wish that there was more video to watch and full-screen for people like my husband and i who don't have cable tv.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  5. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    shawnee1132
    Lives in South Carolina
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Safety isn't an issue
    • User content is age appropriate

    I do have to say that this is a very educational channel and it is very intertaining. My baby brother will be !years old next month and he is a hand full. He is always on the move but ever since i got him to watch this channel, i can never get him away from the T.V. Thank you PBS kinds(sprout crew) from, Big sister

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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