Wonderwall (http://wonderwall.msn.com)

common sense media says

Celeb gossip served up in cool design goes easy on snark.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this gossip site from MSN falls somewhere in between "naughty" and "nice." The copy can be a bit snarky at times, and there's coverage of stars' bad behavior, but it isn't nearly as rude and crude as TMZ. There's no commenting feature or other interactive elements.

Educational value: Nothing educational here -- it's strictly entertainment.
Positive messages: The site focuses on celebrity and beauty -- there's not much substance here. Although it's less rude than many gossip sites, Wonderwall sometimes gets snarky: "Too bad this trip to Mexico left [Kim Kardashian] burnt like a fried Cheeto in the sun."
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Some mild sexual content: "revealing photos of sexy stars at the beach," mentions of Britney Spears requesting a stripper pole in her hotel room, discussions of infidelity.
Language: Hell and crap are used; stronger words (in celebrity quotes) are censored.
Consumerism: Some of the ads masquerade as content -- one ad for a "new miracle anti-aging pill" is labeled as a "featured story," for example. The editorial content often drops names of brands and products. Most of the videos play ads before the content begins.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: There's some coverage of stars' drunken mishaps: "George Clooney reportedly had a few too many vodka and Patrons in Miami and ended up blowing chunks all over the VIP area." Celebs smoke cigarettes in some photos.

More on Wonderwall

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about our obsession with celebrities. Why do you think people care so much about stars' private lives? What information is OK to report and what should be off limits? Do you think celebrities who appeal to kids and teens have a responsibility to be role models? See our tips on talking about Celebrity Role Models.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Aside from a fairly innovative design -- a horizontal scroll of hyperlinked photos -- Wonderwall doesn't break any new ground. The site's a fun, light read, but some of the content is just filler, like the 30-second "My Life As a Covergirl" videos, which are essentially commercials. Also, teens might find the site a bit one-dimensional since there are no social features like comments or message boards. Fans looking for more in-depth entertainment coverage will fare better on MSN's movies, music, and TV outlets.

This review was written by Susan Yudt
 
 

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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