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Parents' Guide to

YR Media

By Ellen Dendy, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

News and much more from talented, diverse kid journalists.

Website https://yr.media
YR Media Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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Privacy Rating Warning

  • Unclear whether personal information is sold or rented to third parties.
  • Unclear whether personal information are shared for third-party marketing.
  • Unclear whether this product displays personalised advertising.
  • Unclear whether data are collected by third-parties for their own purposes.
  • Unclear whether this product uses a user's information to track and target advertisements on other third-party websites or services.
  • Unclear whether this product creates and uses data profiles for personalised advertisements.
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What’s It About?

YOUTH RADIO is part of a nonprofit that gives kids hands-on training in all aspects of new media and journalism, allowing them to have a voice in the national dialogue. It's also a great resource for kids interested in media careers. Kids can access articles and videos written and created by young journalists in training (which also often air on NPR stations). Visit the Newsroom for news on education, science, technology, and other newsworthy topics. In the Classroom section of the site, tune in to a Raw Show, which features music and short kid-created media. The Creative Studio contains features like Remix Your Life, where kids create performances based on their lives. On Our Radar Desk features curated content from other youth-media sources.

Is It Any Good?

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

Articles and videos made by kids and Youth Radio staff are engaging and fresh, like the dispatches from a young protestor caught up in Iran's post-election violence and a 15-year-old's account of his dad being taken away by immigration authorities. Youth Radio is a learning platform that teaches underserved kids in Oakland, Calif., about media production. Their education benefits listeners, who get to learn from the viewpoints and insights they bring to each story. The Arts Lab demonstrates varied forms of expression. Kids may be inspired to share their own stories after seeing the cool kids of Youth Radio share their stories and expose their vulnerabilities.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about other ways to create with digital media.

  • Parents can talk with older kids about considering journalism as a career (or a high school activity) and whether this site makes the profession seem appealing.

  • Parents can ask kids if this site makes them more interested in current events and what they perceive about how events are reported. What's different about hearing a kid report the news rather than an adult?

Website Details

  • Subjects: Language & Reading : presenting to others, speaking, storytelling, writing, writing clearly, Social Studies : citizenship, cultural understanding, events, global awareness, Arts : script writing
  • Genre: Civic Engagement
  • Pricing structure: Free
  • Last updated: December 6, 2019

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.

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