Parents' Guide to

Middle School Confidential 2: Real Friends vs. the Other Kind

By Leslie Crenna, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 11+

Graphic novel-style app shares authentic teen scenes, tools.

Middle School Confidential 2: Real Friends vs. the Other Kind Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this app.

Community Reviews

There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

MIDDLE SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL: REAL FRIENDS VS THE OTHER KIND is a great tool to catalyze discussion about tricky topics such as interrupting conversations with texts, bossiness, hurt feelings, using people, crush rejections, popularity, dating, problems at home, and breaking up. Real teen issues are presented with respect and emotional authenticity. Characters are alternately tough yet vulnerable, admirable yet fallible. The addition of quizzes -- a sort of mix between social studies class and a teen mag sidebar -- adds tons of engagement value to the experience. As with so many social-skills teaching tools, teens may feel this one is a bit babyish -- and the watercolor illustrations are a far cry from the more popular manga style -- but tweens looking into the abyss of middle school will eat it up. Audio of teen voices and some comic relief would boost the experience, and more content and slightly less preachy dialogue would pull kids in even more.

App Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate