CHILDREN'S MEDIA REVIEWS & RESOURCES
Shopping for software or videos for your child? There
are several online guides that will help you decide which titles to
choose. These guides include information on age-appropriateness and
whether titles contain violent or sexual content. Other guides contain
reviews by parents and experts on children's software.
The Parent
Guide to Electronic Games rates 18 popular CD-ROM titles on
various criteria such as violent and sexual content,
age-appropriateness, language, and fear. It also reviews Gameboy,
Nintendo 64, and Sega Dreamcast games.
Family Wonder
allows you to select titles by age category and offers ratings on
educational and entertainment values; the site also offers summaries and
expert reviews.
The Kid's
First! web site allows you to search for over 1,000 children's
software and videos and offers reviews and information on
age-appropriateness.
For educational software,
SuperKids Educational Software Review has reviews of
educational software and educational tools. See their
Best of 1999 award winners for possible choices.
The Children's
Software Review (described as the "Consumer Reports of
children's softwar rates kids' web sites, CD-ROMs and computers.
Screen It!
Entertainment Reviews for Parents has
written reviews of movies, music and videos that are comprehensive
without being censoring. Screen It! is an interesting site that will
help you make informed decisions about your child's entertainment.
INTERNET SAFETY
CyberAngels.org
is an Internet safety
organization that's been around since 1995. The
practical tips sections, including the one on
CyberStalking, are particularly useful. Also check out the FAQ
page and the activities
for kids.
Produced by the FBI, "The
Parents Guide to Internet Safety" lists steps you can take
to avoid jeopardizing your child's safety online, indications your child
may be at risk, a definition list of internet-related terms, and other
valuable information for parents.
GetNetWise is a very comprehensive site with lots of information
about Internet safety, including a glossary of Internet terms, an online
safety guide, and info on reporting
trouble.
The Cyber Tipline
is a site where you can report incidents of child exploitation and
solicitation online. It also provides links to other sources of
information about child sexual exploitation. The "Education
and Resources" section of the NCMEC's web site has two
pamphlets: one on teen Internet safety and one for kids (here is the direct
link).
Child Safety on
the Information Highway By Lawrence J. Magid is a great
introductory article that covers basic Internet safety information for
kids. Also check out the Safekids
site.
Other sites that discuss children's safety on the Internet:
Program