#9 Common Sense Media

Common sense media is a website that helps families, teachers, and students make smart choices about their media. They provided unbiased information, trusted advice, and innovative tools to help people chose the right media and technology to influence students’ lives in a positive way. They publish independent ratings and reviews for almost anything that kids want to watch, read, play, and learn. The unbiased ratings are done by expert reviewers and aren’t influenced by the creators or funders in any way. Common Sense Media rates media based on age appropriateness and learning potential. They research on how kids learn from media and technology to inform their learning ratings. For each title they indicate the age that the title is appropriate for and give the title either an ON which means it’s age appropriate, a PAUSE which means it’s somewhat edgy for that age, or an OFF which means it’s not appropriate for the age. For apps, video games, and websites they give ratings such as best, very, good, good, or fair for learning. Common Sense Media looks at several aspects of each category to decide whether it is age appropriate and how it needs to be ranked. I think this a great website for everyone. Technology is growing each day and it is becoming something we rely on so I think that it is important that we as teachers and parents know what we should be showing our kids and letting them watch or play.