 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
4Kids TV
Common Sense Media says
Teen talk forums + kid-targeted cartoons = risky mix.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this site is built around the animated cartoon lineup shown on The CW television station. Not only does it heavily promote the shows themselves, but it also includes a special video viewing portal called "Toonzai" that lets kids view entire seasons of the cartoon shows they enjoy (including Yu-Gi-Oh, SonicX, MagiNation and Biker Mice from Mars). This means there is hour after hour of possible screen time to be spent here, and some of the shows are chock-full of fantastical cartoon-violence. Parents should be careful which parts of this site children access. For the most part the site is geared toward elementary school-aged kids who would typically be interested in the site's cartoons, although some of the cartoon fare is targeted to younger, kindergarten-aged kids. However, the message forums are designed only for users 13 years and older. Users on here are given strict guidelines for what can be posted, but they don't need to stick to predetermined scripts.
Is it any good?
There are some great features to 4KIDS TV. Fans of the CW's cartoons can watch full episodes of selected series, there is a library of online games to play, plus unique activities like online scavenger hunts and paper craft instructions. These features won't come as a surprise to regular online users, but they will fill the need for more content that a few hours of weekend programming can't provide. However, the interactive features seem out of place on a kids' TV site. Why would second graders need to discuss the finer points of Yu-Gi-Oh or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles? The 13 years and up guideline for this feature seems absurd as adolescents wouldn't seem to be the target demographic. Sites such as Webkinz and Club Penguin offer much safer ways for younger children to interact online and this site would do much better to stick with what it does best: provide off-the-wall games and multimedia content to support its equally irreverent TV programming. For kids who want to catch up on those cartoons they missed on television, the site's "Toonzai" section is the perfect place to visit.
Online interaction: Discussion forums make the online interaction portion of the site rather risky. Although there are moderators and purported "spies" who block users who don't obey the strict guidelines of no bullying or harassment, the forums are posted as being for users 13 and up. This is confusing since most of the cartoons from the site are targeted at younger kids.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about safe Internet interactions. This site features the ability to create an online social network profile and also participate in discussion forums. What are your house rules about accessing such content? At what age is this type of interaction OK and when is it too young? What are the basic rules for on-line discussions?
Why is it important to be aware of advertising on children's programming? Do you think kids are specifically targeted to buy certain products in a way adults are not?
Families can talk about setting limits on violent kids' shows. What type of sci-fi or cartoon violence is acceptable in your family, and where does your family draw the line? Do you think viewing fantasy violence makes kids more aggressive?
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- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
Kid, 12 years old
May 16, 2010
AGE
4kids just edits
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Kid, 11 years old
May 16, 2010
AGE
4kids just edits
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AGE
Perfect for ages 7-12
I loved this site when I was 8.It is for those kids who love games but violence is not an option.
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AGE
Unsuitable for all who don't watch Barney the dinosaur.
Suitable solely for the younger elementary-schoolers and toddlers. This company takes stories and cartoons for tweens, teenagers, and children and over-censors them. They also change character's personalities to make them more 2-D.
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AGE
EVIL!!
4Kids is evil and wants to take over the world by telling our kids that you can't die and that there is nothing else other than America!!!
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Kid, 12 years old
July 10, 2010
AGE
Off for 2 and under, Iffy for 2-5, On for 5 and over.
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Kid, 10 years old
August 17, 2011
AGE
It's a good site but risky
risky mix it is Off for 0-8 Iffy for 9-10 On for 11+ you will outgrow it around my age or 10
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AGE
EW
sexual roleplay site designed for kids. why is there such SICK stuff on the internet?
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