omg.yahoo.com

This celeb site is, like, a bit tamer than others!

(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

Common Sense rates it
3
Seen the site?
6973_orig.jpg
details
  • URL: http://www.omg.yahoo.com
  • Entertainment Value: Medium

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that this is Yahoo!'s new destination for everything celebrity-related, with photos and video galore. It seems more wholesome than other celeb news and gossip sites, with a marked lack of footage (so far, anyway) showcasing young Hollywood's inebriation or lack of interest in underwear. News stories come from reliable sources like Reuters and AP, and state the facts, without gossipy speculation. Comments, on the other hand, include many a rant for or against a particular celebrity, some of which escalate to trash talking that includes religious or racial slurs. Comment monitoring seems to be in the hands of users, with a "Report Abuse" function that sends a message to customer support. Unilever and Pepsi are the site's exclusive sponsors and feature ads that are understated and well integrated into the site's layout.

Families can talk about why we care so much about celebrities. Do some of them go out of their way to get snapped by the paparazzi? Is fame and recognition worth the invasion of privacy and the inability to even go to the grocery store without being mobbed in the parking lot by photographers?

Message

Social Behavior:

Trash-talking in the comments can escalate to racial slurs. ("He don't want no freaking Asian…Go make me some fried rice"). A post on Padma Lakshmi and Salman Rushdie's divorce unleashed some anti-Muslim commentary.

Consumerism:

Lipton White Tea with Raspberry is the only brand featured on the site, and is done so in a subtle, understated way.

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

References to celebrities in rehab or getting DUIs.

Educational Value:

The content is lacking in any real educational value or depth, and is undeniably superficial, but seems to be safer and more rooted in facts than other celeb sites.

Violence

Sex

References to celebrity hookups, breakups, makeups, and vacation frolics on the beach, but that's about it.

Language

A few censored things in the comments.

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Denise Duval

Yahoo! has launched OMG.YAHOO.COM, where visitors can get celebrity news updates 24/7, or browse by "Hot Topics" or "Celebs." All the usual suspects can be found in frequent rotation, with news stories, photos, and videos detailing their recent adventures: Paris' journey in and out of the slammer, followed by her post-prison R&R jaunt to Hawaii; Brangelina and their international brood; Katie Holmes' new "I'm in Charge" hairdo; Posh and Becks' move from across the pond. You know the drill. For better or worse (probably worse), we will never run out of stories like these.

Is it any good?

3
With its tangerine color scheme, splashy photo-album-style layout, and handy check marks conveniently appearing on already viewed items, the site is easy to navigate and quite inviting, even if for all the wrong reasons. It's not unlike leafing through an issue of US Weekly or watching one of the entertainment news shows on TV. Not surprising, since Access Hollywood is omg.yahoo.com's main content provider, and the source for its many original news stories and videos. Maybe because of this, or maybe because it's Yahoo!, the site is less gossipy and slanderous than other celebrity sites. Yes, the content is lacking in any real educational value or depth, and is undeniably superficial, but if your teenager loves celebrity gossip, this site is a better choice than many.

Nuts and bolts

  • Playability: Easy to medium
  • Reading Required: Medium
  • Graphics: Photos and video

Other choices

Usmagazine.com
Accesshollywood.com

Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 4 reviews.

3


Posted on 02/15/08 by Cirque_de_Soleil Kid contributor, age 12

Love this website

absolutely THE best gossip website. The only problem is the user comments. Very up-to-date site.
0


Posted on 07/23/07 by robertsyn Adult contributor

sick

nasty site
5

Posted on 07/05/07 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 12
3


Posted on 07/03/07 by hunnybun2 Adult contributor

Adult Reviews

There are 2 reviews.

0


Posted on 07/23/07 by robertsyn Adult contributor

sick

nasty site
3


Posted on 07/03/07 by hunnybun2 Adult contributor

Kids Reviews

There are 2 reviews.

3


Posted on 02/15/08 by Cirque_de_Soleil Kid contributor, age 12

Love this website

absolutely THE best gossip website. The only problem is the user comments. Very up-to-date site.
5

Posted on 07/05/07 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 12
Review It
What do your kids do online?
Surf
34%
Homework and research
19%
Download music
10%
Chat with friends
37%
132 votes