Common Sense Media Review
By Dana Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Messy mix of suggestive chats, glitz, and consumerism.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Download
Videos and Photos
MovieStarPlanet
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 10 parent reviews
Based on 54 kid reviews
Kids say that the app is fun for creativity but has significant drawbacks, particularly concerning inappropriate content and predatory behavior. Many reviews highlight the presence of sexual references, bullying, and the danger posed by adult users, suggesting that it is more suitable for older teens who can handle online interactions responsibly.
- inappropriate content
- safety concerns
- cyberbullying issues
- adult presence
- age recommendations
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Privacy Rating Warning
Privacy Rating
Our expert evaluators create our privacy ratings. The ratings are designed to help you understand how apps use your data for commercial purposes.
Pass
Meets our minimum requirements for privacy and security practices.
Warning
Does not meet our recommendations for privacy and security practices.
Fail
Does not have a privacy policy and should not be used.
Privacy Rating
Our expert evaluators create our privacy ratings. The ratings are designed to help you understand how apps use your data for commercial purposes.
Pass
Meets our minimum requirements for privacy and security practices.
Warning
Does not meet our recommendations for privacy and security practices.
Fail
Does not have a privacy policy and should not be used.
What's It About?
To begin, tap New User on MOVIESTARPLANET, and then enter a new username and password. Enter a birth month and year (which must fall between 1999 and 2012 because those are the only years listed) and get four "gifts" including coins. Then an avatar guide appears to lead you on a tour and asks you to "Friend" her by accepting her friend request. Play options include games, chat, "MSP buzz," shopping, movie town, pets, animations, clothes, and more. Tap to chat, and more options appear for places on the sim where you can go to chat with other players (strangers or friends). A player has to be a "VIP Member" to enter some chat areas. Tap on the gift boxes that appear randomly around the screen, and the gift opens and coins pour out for the user to spend.
Is It Any Good?
Some simulation games are interesting or inspiring, but this one is all about shallow experiences. MovieStarPlanet has very few positive qualities, other than that it does filter common profanity and allows for some creativity in making movies and decorating. It's not clear what age group this app is intended for, as the only years listed during registration are 1999 to 2012, but this app is too simplistic for teens' meaningful use, and the content is not appropriate for younger kids. Answering quizzes about which short-shorts are most "popular" (popular with whom?) to get coins and leveling up for obscure reasons is confusing and negates any activity on this app that relies on skill. It also reinforces messages about consumerism and appearance that parents may not want to reinforce. Ultimately, there are far better choices for kids and teens.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what makes a worthwhile sim experience (and why MovieStarPlanet is lacking many of those elements)? What are some subjects that could be meaningful to chat about on a sim (shared game strategies, DIY ideas, fan favorites)?
Talk about the celebrity lifestyle. This app glorifies celebrity and consumerism, but what are the downsides?
Discuss your family's rules about in-app purchases. If you give your tween or teen a virtual allowance, are you OK with them spending it on any in-app purchase, or are there guidelines?
App Details
- Devices : iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android
- Pricing structure : Free (with in-app purchases)
- Release date : October 11, 2016
- Genre : Simulation Games
- Publisher : MovieStarPlanet
- Version : 20.0.2
- Minimum software requirements : iOS 6.0 or later; Android 2.3.3 and up
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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
Suggest an 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