Parents' Guide to Nick News with Linda Ellerbee

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Common Sense Media Review

By Pam Gelman , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 11+

A must-see news program for teens and tweens.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 11+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 9+

Based on 7 parent reviews

age 8+

Based on 15 kid reviews

Kids say that while some viewers find the show informative and engaging, especially for older children and teens, many others label it as boring and unsuitable for a younger audience. Although it presents real-life issues in a kid-friendly way, critics argue that it doesn't cater to the interests or attention spans of most kids today.

  • informative content
  • varied opinions
  • suitable for tweens
  • considered boring
  • intense topics
Summarized with AI

What's the Story?

Geared for teens and tweens interested in world events, NICK NEWS WITH LINDA ELLERBEE helps kids make sense of world events by presenting them in kid-friendly, understandable language. Host Linda Ellerbee tackles big topics like war in Iraq, AIDS, the O.J. Simpson trial, as well as other important issues that are very relatable to this age: bullying, divorce, learning and mental disorders, body image, and homelessness. Sitting cross-legged with a group of school-aged boys and girls of all races, Ellerbee presents an issue and then asks questions about how the kids would react in this situation. Then she'll present a different perspective and give the kids time to think about and change their responses. Nick News also features exposés on specific events, projects, or problems related to the theme of the episode, such as recycling and the environmental hazards of non-recyclable products.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say ( 7 ):
Kids say ( 15 ):

This series first came on the air in 1992 and has won Emmy, Peabody, and Columbia duPont awards and been endorsed by the National Education Association. There's no debate over the benefits of kids learning about politics and their world. The only words of caution to parents would be to watch out for very serious topics that might be inappropriate for younger viewers. Nick News with Linda Ellerbee is intended for teens and tweens who have the maturity to hear about difficult topics.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the discussions raised by Nick News with Linda Ellerbee. Watching this show is no replacement for meaningful parent-child conversations about these hard topics. Questions will be raised that the show doesn't cover, and parents may need to ask kids questions to make sure they understand why these issues are important.

  • How does Nick News with Linda Ellerbee promote curiosity and empathy? Why are those important character strengths?

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

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Nick News with Linda Ellerbee Poster Image

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