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StarWars (http://www.starwars.com)

common sense media says

Far from the Dark Side, but some violence, ads.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this nicely designed site plays homage to the stellar movies of the same name. Like the films, there's plenty of sci-fi violence shown through video clips, games, action figures armed with weapons for sale, and in some of the info about the making of the art and special effects of the movies. Wars between characters, guns, lightsabers, grenades, and tons of battling can all be found. However, the amount of advertising -- animated banner ads, commercials running before video snippets and lots of Target store tie-ins -- was a little surprising. If your kids stumble across the Star Wars online store, hide your wallet as there are many movie-related goodies to be purchased. There's also a link to join the official Star Wars fan club ($14.95 a year). Like the films, the site is also very creative: Kids can practice drawing, learn to make videos, and figure out how characters are related.

Educational value: A few matching games, puzzles, loads of trivia. Kids can learn about the making of the animated Clone Wars and how to draw comic strips or characters. Crew and artists discuss how animated or other films are made and what types of people are involved in the creation of a film.
Positive messages: Much talk of the "dark side." Good versus evil is the basis of all Star Wars films.
Violence: It's Star Wars through and through, and battle scenes abound. Like the films, there's plenty of sci-fi violence shown through video clips, games, action figures armed with weapons for sale, and in some of the info about the making of the art and special effects of the movies. Wars between characters, guns, lightsabers, grenades, and tons of battling can all be found.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: More than expected: commercials, animated banner ads, subliminal ads, and related game products pushed. There's also a store and a link to join the official Star Wars fan club which costs $14.95 a year.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Chewbacca, yes. Tobacco no.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on StarWars

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about how online advertising can have an impact on buying habits. Are there new products introduced on the site that your kids may have not heard about before, but may then think they suddenly need to have? What feeling and/or affect does the Target sign appearing over the red army in The Clone Wars video clip have? Will seeing the logo make a difference of where kids want to shop?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
The Star Wars films are popular for a reason and STARWARS.COM seems like a good vehicle to further the franchises' reputation. Fans will get lost in the more than 10,000 pages filled with spectacular graphics and fun things to see and do. But, like the movies, there's no escaping the force of sci-fi violence -- in the movie clips of combating foes, descriptive drawings of battleships, heroes holding weapons, and games that involve intense violence. And for a site aimed at tweens, the few games that involve players shooting enemies (one in particular has the player looking down the barrel of a gun shooting at moving, though not "live," targets) shouldn't be an option.

Violence aside, it's nice to see product-related site actually teaching kids something: The educational making of the animated Clone Wars, tutorials on how to draw comic strips or popular characters, and crew and artists discussions on how animated or other films are made and what types of people are involved in the creation of a film.

This review was written by Dana Cotter
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

Superfly nitro
kid, 11 years old
10
 
cyber super
LOVE IT I LOVE IT I LOVE IT!
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Mi3
adult
8
 
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cammy48
kid, 11 years old
4
 
great website for star wars fans
The site is great!!! There is some violence, but nothing very bad. Most of it is in the games, but since it is geared to kids, there is nothing more than vechiles exploding and droids getting shot/and or sliced. You can watch season 2 of Star wars there and it is a little more violent than the game. You can register as a member for Free and you give VERY limited amounts of imformation and if you are under 13 your parents have to give the okay signal. There are quite a few adds, but they are easily ignored.
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bonso
kid, 11 years old
8
 
really awesome with a lightsaber on top
If your a fan of star wars go on this website they talk about all star wars
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Skywalkergirl15
teen, 16 years old
7
 
A great kids website.
I like this website because it always gives you the latest SW news. I've never run across anything innapropriate except some of the girls' outfits are skimpy in the webcomics section. There are lots of fun games to play and a really cool soundboard. I think, overall, this is a pretty nice website and completely appropriate for younger kids.
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x3fantagex3
parent of 10 year old
10
 
u7iujjk
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SuperMario958
teen, 13 years old
10
 
Star Wars*
SW* is a good website where you can hear the latest Star Wars and watch new episodes of the show. There is a lot of product placement. I think it's a good website for Star Wars fan 10+.
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movie fan141999
kid, 12 years old
8
 
good
the site is alsome but you shoud check it ought with an adult.
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beanbagtex
kid, 11 years old
6
 
I love star wars so violence is not a problem because it is a favorite for kids and parents and o on!
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mesguy
kid, 10 years old
7
 
nice site
cool site (sund bordes are a fav)
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Dylan Johnson
kid, 8 years old
8
 
Good game
Our family loves it
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