Urban Dictionary (http://www.urbandictionary.com)

common sense media says

Words you won't find in Webster's are mostly mature.


parents & educators say
  • 57% say language is an issue
  • 57% say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this online dictionary of slang terms can delve into areas of sex, drugs, and violence. But it also has its finger on the pulse of of-the-moment expressions and can be humorous and thought-provoking. The content can also be shocking -- the site's guidelines say it will "publish racial and sexual slurs" because "people use slurs in everyday speech" -- but will reject racist and sexist entries. (Editors are encouraged to approve terms that document but don't endorse discrimination -- which can be a fine line). The site's usage terms say the content "is frequently presented in a coarse and direct manner that some may find offensive" and suggest the site isn’t for users under 13. However, kids can easily find a number of edgy definitions; the terms are listed alphabetically, and there's also a search function.

Educational value: Although the site encourages reading and verbal creativity, and some of the entries are serious/real definitions, it's no substitute for a real dictionary.
Positive messages: Although some of the terms are completely innocent, many describe violent sexual acts, use swear words or are otherwise inappropriate for younger users.
Violence: The site features 10 definitions for the word "violence" -- and several definitions for made-up violent terms, like "violence porn" and "violent f**k."
Sex: Many of the terms include sexual references -- and there's a whole section featuring user-submitted definitions of the word "sex."
Language: Words like "d**k" and "s**t" appear in definitions and instantly in live chats.
Consumerism: The site contains ads for T-shirt companies, a college, and other businesses. Users also can order mugs, magnets, and other items based on any of the dictionary entries. There are also street slang dictionaries and flashcards.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Some definitions encourage drug use, saying things like "substances like marijuana ... and LSD, to name a few, can all be used responsibly."
Privacy & safety: You're encouraged to use a username when submitting a word or chatting, but kids could accidentally enter their real name.

More on Urban Dictionary

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • What is a slur? What kind of words and terms -- involving gender, race, appearance or other things -- should you not say to offend people or hurt their feelings?
  • If you hear someone else use a term that you think may offend people or hurt their feelings, is it OK to repeat it -- or is that just as bad as saying it? Is there a difference between talking about discrimination and actually discriminating against people -- and how do you not cross that line?
  • Why would you not want to video chat with a stranger? What kind of things could happen that would be different or not as safe during a chat if you're able to see the person you're chatting with, instead of just typing back and forth?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

The Urban Dictionary gets points for encouraging creativity, and some of the tamer terms are funny or feature earnest definitions. However, while the site might help increase your tween's interest in words, the risk of your child running across some made-up monikers that you won't want repeated is pretty high -- so supervision is recommended.

Online interaction: Users can instantly chat live -- via text or video -- with other users. There's no language filter, and conversations can get heated.


This review was written by Erin Brereton
 
 

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What parents & educators say

12
Based on 7 parent & educator reviews:
  • 57% say language is an issue
  • 57% say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking
  • 57% say sexual content is an issue
  • 29% say it's educational

Most useful reviews by all members

lilmiss_96
teen, 15 years old
 

The K-Pop Fairy.
teen, 14 years old
 
Funny website. ;D
Whoa, this website has way, too many sexual things. But, the definitions are just halarious. xD It makes my day, literly. It's helpful, if you hear a new word online and you want to know what it means.

 
Useful tool, but visiter beware!
Ever been in a situation, either as a kid/teenager or as an adult and had a word come up on tv/in conversation/in a song that left you confused? And not just a word like majuscule that can be looked up in a dictionary, a word like "milf" or "newb" that has more or less been made up by popular society. Urbandictionary* is basically the answer to that problem, which can be good and bad. Really this site is best for high school students, college students, and adults. There is a lot of content involving sex, drugs, and alcohol on this site, and for once I think Common Sense has underestimated. There is a word of the day posted on the home page of the site, which may or may not be tame. Also the definitions are free for people to type out, and these often include bias and personal opinion (such as the entries for Miley Cyrus or George W Bush). Still, the site is not inherently bad, and pretty darn useful. The content is just such that I wouldn't recommend usage for anyone who still doesn't know where babies come from.

boon
kid, 12 years old
 
Boon's rating
What is up with these reviews? the whole website is just about curse and sex words. its a cursing dictionary! plus people can upload whatever they want on the site, so you can see the F-word probably.

 
Have you ever heard the term TMI? That's what this site is . . .
I have occasionally use this site when I wonder the *real message* behind popular songs. I wouldn't recommend this site for young teenagers. Although some may find it to be funny, almost every entry I've read is very vulgar. It could be a great education for parents, though, if they hear their teenagers mention a term that they don't recognize. Warning though, I have often discovered that I was better off not knowing the real meaning behind the words.

serradella
teen, 14 years old
 
Once again, Common Sense Media has horribly misrated something. This website contains VERY mature sexual terms and slang. There is CONSTANT profanity everywhere on the site! There are TONS of references to marijuana, alchohol, and many other drugs. Another problem is it's all user generated, so anyone can add any definition at any time, it IS checked by people, but that's only so that they make sur that the definitions are REAL. Yes, the definitions are real, so in a disturbing way it can help teens figure out what their friends may be talking about, or something else like that.

twilightfan123
teen, 14 years old
 
iffy
it is a good site if u dont know a word

Luna234
teen, 14 years old
 
This website is fine until you start to really get into it. There is a lot of bad language and negative messages (racism, sexism).

Sokrr
parent of 12 and 13 year old
 
Stupid and innapropriate
Half of the definitions are about sex and drugs. 75% is made-up nonsense. Users post the most random things, and it is almost never appropriate.

bfmbridge
teen, 14 years old
 
NOT FOR KIDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
this site is good if you just want to look up what something means but other than that it is completely useless and WAY too inapropriate

ParamoreFan09
teen, 15 years old
 
meant for words that are not commonly appropriate
it's really inapropriate, but can be helpful for teens who need to find out on their own what their friends are talking about. LOTS of inappropriate words and swears. That's what the site is for mostly.

RootbeerGirl
kid, 11 years old
 
10+
I go on the site and I'm 10. It may be a bit innapropriot, but, by 10, everyone knows what sex, drugs, alchohal and curses are.

-smile.kid-
teen, 14 years old
 
Funny but Inappropriate
I first started using this website when my friends used a slang word I had no clue what it meant. I easily got hooked on the website. Some of the definitions on there will leave you laughing for a while, others will revolt you, and some are just plain jaw-dropping. About half of the definitions are sexual, but so are a lot of slang words, and all teens know about sex, whether or not you thing they do. Some of the posts are violent, but nothing extremely graphic. If you use the website for what it's for, then it's a lot of fun.

kware
kid, 13 years old
 
tween elementary and way older kids
i think tis is a great website beacasue yuo hear stuff @ school and don't know what it means so yuo type it in and are like okay im not goin to use this word or yea i can use this word

rebma97
teen, 14 years old
 
Not really a dictionary site
This isn't a very good dictionary site. They do give you some definitions, but some things are just opinions (for example, when tween was looked up, a definition was; Tweens are into the Jonas Brothers and other Disney cr*p). It's also innaproriate, so it's probably not the best for younger kids (although some of the definitions are admittedly funny).

hopexendures
teen, 18 years old
 
Skip this site.
While some of the entries are entertaining and clever, this is truly just another way to assist kids in losing their innocence. There are TONS of innuendoes on the site, and users are not shy when it comes to their definitions. There is also profanity galore.

kjinho
teen, 15 years old
 
Really? Only 13+? This site contains VERY sexual and graphic definitions of slangs, not to mention drugs, profanity, and racism.

Ragzi
adult
 
Funny but inappropriate
Most entries involve sex, drugs or curse words. The definitions can be funny for older teens and adults but are very inappropriate for children.

CipherSquared
kid, 13 years old
 
Useful, but be very careful.
I've only used this site twice. I found things no 12 year old should see, and also some surprisingly informative definition. It's like a community dictionary, with some very vulgar members. Just note: If a word sounds too strange, it's probably sexual or drug related. I never bothered to use the chat system, but I doubt I'd come out mentally stable (lol)

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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
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age