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Uncle Jay Explains: The News (http://unclejayexplains.com/)

common sense media says

Sarcastic take on news topics will entertain teens.

parents & educators say
See all 6 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that the name of this site is a little misleading. While it appears to be a source for simple explanations of complicated news stories, it's actually a sarcastic and snarky skewering of world events. Geared for an older audience, it's less about the news and more about entertainment. Think Jon Stewart-lite.

Educational value: Despite its name, this Web site does less explaining than entertaining. Teens won't necessarily walk
away with a clearer understanding of the news (they may even have new
questions), but they'll appreciate the skewering Uncle Jay gives.
Positive messages: Uncle Jay gets fodder for
his news updates from real headlines, so there are some real news topics that
are decidedly distasteful. He does, however, keep the message clean and the
visuals cleaned up.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: An occasional subtle reference
that adults may find funny and teens may or may not catch. For instance, one
segment's News Word of the Week is "package." After a brief pause, Uncle Jay
chides parents to stop thinking of the word in "that way."
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Each page of the site
features some ad content from Google, primarily touting anti-aging products and
weight loss programs. Throughout the site, users will find banner ads
soliciting donations (Uncle Jay's Tip Jar) and encouraging shopping for
merchandise at Uncle J-Mart.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Because Uncle Jay's updates
rely on real news stories for inspiration, there is the occasional mention of
drugs, alcohol or tobacco. The mentions, however, are typically coated in
negative sarcasm and the behavior is not glorified in any manner.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Uncle Jay Explains: The News

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about why it's helpful to get many different perspectives on news and current events. Do humorous takes help us understand topics better? Do you ever want to record your own perspectives on things? Read Do It Yourself Media to see how you can create your own stuff.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

There's much to enjoy on Uncle Jay Explains the News, but it's not the place to go if you're looking for someone to literally break down and explain the news for your youngster. Though it touts itself as helping "little minds understand the big news stories," the segments and Web site are geared more toward adults and teens who prefer a bit of sarcasm with their newscasts. Younger kids just won't get the humor behind the headlines.

Uncle Jay may have a delivery akin to Mr. Rogers, but his approach to current events -- both the hard news and the soft, celebrity kind -- has a sardonic wit that's more along the lines of The Daily Show or Weekend Update on Saturday Night Live. You won't, however, find any objectionable language or sexual references from this kindly uncle.

 

This review was written by Conny Coon
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

REviwer98
teen, 13 years old
10
 
Good humor!
Iunderstand the news better in a fun way.I like his sarcasm and jokes. little kids wont get his jokes though.
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helped me decide (9) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (9)
BubbaBoy
kid, 12 years old
9
 
So Funny!
This site is so funny. The way he twists the news to make it sarcastic! Ha!
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helped me decide (5) | had useful details (9) | read my mind (5)
cammy48
kid, 11 years old
6
 
good website, but some humor that young kids would not get
This is a great website, but it does have some humor that some kids under 8 would not get ,but overall it should be great for older kids/young tweens and older
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helped me decide (3) | had useful details (6) | read my mind (8)
♥UndeadRainbows♥™
kid, 13 years old
10
 
Perfect for mature tweens and all teens
i like the sarcastic twist on the news! some things are hard to understand for people under 10, but it's really funny.
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helped me decide (3) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (8)
Katy0
teen, 17 years old
8
 
Hilarious
These videos are hilarious and non-offensive. Probably fine for everyone 6+, but you'd have to be older to actually understand the jokes.
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helped me decide (4) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (6)
shmulik98
teen, 13 years old
11
 
PERFECT FOR TWEENS!!
IT IS RLLY FUNNY!! I think under 11 will not rlly "get" everything he says. and he says some stuff about like, the Miss CA lady who got kicked out for that photo. BUt it rlly all depends on wats on the news! HILARIUOS THO! I wuz totally LOLZ!!
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helped me decide (2) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (2)

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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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