Grade by Grade Guide
Overview of Materials
Family Media Management
Internet Safety
Tip sheet
Video
Discussion Guide
Grade range
Healthy Media Diet
Digital Life
—
PreK-8
Managing Multitasking
Media Multitasking
—
3-12
Setting Computer Limits
Rules of the Road for Parents in a Digital Age
—
K-8
Rules of the Road for Parents in a Digital Age
Rules of the Road for Parents in a Digital Age
—
PreK-12
Internet Safety for Elementary School Kids
Digital Life
Internet Safety
K-4
Internet Safety for Middle School Kids
Digital Life
Internet Safety
5-8
Internet Safety for High School Kids
Digital Life
Internet Safety
9-12
Internet Filters
Digital Life
Internet Safety
PreK-6
Online Security
Digital Life
Internet Safety
1-12
Safe Online Talk
Digital Life
Internet Safety
3-12
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying
3-12
Video Chatting
Connected Culture
Internet Safety
7-12
Grade by Grade Guide
Overview of Materials
Social Networking and Online Worlds
Mobile and Communicating
Tip sheet
Video
Discussion Guide
Grade range
Connected Culture
Connected Culture
Social Networking
5-12
Facebook for Parents
Facebook for Parents
Social Networking
5-12
Online Worlds For Young Kids
Online Worlds For Young Kids
Online Worlds for Young Kids
K-6
Social Networking
Social Networking
Social Networking
5-12
Club Penguin
Online Worlds For Young Kids
Online Worlds for Young Kids
K-2
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying
3-12
Money Lessons in Online Worlds
Online Worlds For Young Kids
Online Worlds for Young Kids
K-6
Cell Phones
Cell Phones
Cell phones
3-12
Responsible Text Messaging
Texting or Texting While Driving
Cell phones
3-12
Sexting
Sexting
Cell phones
3-12
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying
3-12
Internet Safety
5-8
Instant Messaging
Grade by Grade Guide
Overview of Materials
Digital Citizenship
Creating Media
Physical Health
Tip sheet
Video
Discussion Guide
Grade range
Connected Culture
Connected Culture
Social Networking
5-12
Digital Life
Digital Life
Internet Safety
3-12
Privacy and Digital Footprints
Privacy and Digital Footprints
Privacy and Digital Footprints
5-12
Respecting Creative Work
Respecting Creative Work
Respecting Creative Work
5-12
Self-expression and identity
Self-expression and Identity
Self-Expression and Identity Online
3-12
Youtube and Your Kids
Youtube and Your Kids
—
1-12
Creating With Digital Media
Creating with Digital Media
Respecting Creative Work
3-12
Respecting Creative Work
Creating with Digital Media
Respecting Creative Work
5-12
Girls and Body Image
Girls and Body Image
Body Image
3-8
Boys and Body Image
Boys and Body Image
Body Image
3-12
Smoking in Media
Smoking in Media
Selling to Kids
5-12
Alcohol in Media
Alcohol in Media
Selling to Kids
5-12
Junk Food Ads
Junk Food Ads
Selling to Kids
PreK-8
Grade by Grade Guide
Overview of Materials
Tip sheet
Video
Discussion Guide
Grade range
Media Violence
Media Violence or TV Violence
Media Violence
PreK-6
Scary Movies
Scary Movies
Media Violence
PreK-4
Sex and Media
Sex and Media
Sex and Media
5-12
Money Lessons in Online Worlds
Online Worlds for Young Kids
Online Worlds for Young Kids
K-6
Selling to Kids
Selling to Kids
Selling to Kids
PreK-8
Junk Food Ads
Junk Food Ads
Selling to Kids
PreK-8
Digital Cheating
Respecting Creative Work
Respecting Creative Work
5-12
Media for Babies and Toddlers
Toddlers and TV
—
PreK
Wikipedia
Wikipedia
—
3-12
Smart Search Online
—
—
1-12
Gaming
Gaming
Video and Online Games or Online Gaming
Gaming
3-12
Music
Music and Your Kids
Music and Your Kids
—
3-12
Digital Piracy
—
—
7-12
Battling Stereotypes
Celebrity Role Models
—
3-12
Celebrity Role Models
Celebrity Role Models
—
1-12
Sex and Violence
Consumerism
Celebrities and Stereotypes
Grade by Grade Guide
Pre-kindergarten
The information included in this guide is a reference point for what most children are exposed to at each grade level. All children and families are different; therefore, this guide may not be accurate for some children.
Your PreK’s media life
Where kids are developmentally
»» Educational shows and cartoons on broadcast
»» Enjoy love songs, rhymes, and being entertained
and cable channels, such as PBS, Disney, and Nickelodeon Animated »» Live action G and some PG-rated movies »» Music that parents play and that kids hear on
the radio »» Early exposure to advertising on television shows
and from product tie-ins to fast food, toys, etc. »» Games played online (e.g., PBSKids), on handheld
devices (Leapfrog) and on consoles
Main media challenges for parents »» Establishing time limits »» Determining what media are age appropriate »» Children’s exposure to consumerism, in particular
licensed characters from favorite TV shows and movies being used to sell toys, junk food, etc. »» Children’s exposure to and imitation of fantasy
violence »» Children’s exposure to inappropriate media at
friends’ houses
»» Have trouble separating make-believe from reality »» Often imitate others’ behaviors »» Have mastery over their bodies and are able to point
and click »» Are learning to play and interact with other kids,
thus figuring out boundaries »» Are easily frightened, don’t understand sarcasm
or satire, are very gullible
Parent education topics »» Healthy Media Diet »» Internet Filters »» Junk Food Ads »» Media for Babies and Toddlers »» Media Violence »» Rules of the Road for Parents in a Digital Age »» Scary Movies »» Selling To Kids
»» Balancing media needs with older siblings
Common Sense Media, an independent nonprofit, is dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in a world of media and technology. © 2010 www.commonsense.org
Grade by Grade Guide
Kindergarten
The information included in this guide is a reference point for what most children are exposed to at each grade level. All children and families are different; therefore, this guide may not be accurate for some children.
Your kindergartner’s media life
Where kids are developmentally
»» Cartoons on broadcast and cable channels such as
»» Know the alphabet and some basic literacy skills
PBS, Disney, and Nickelodeon »» Animated and live action G and some PG-rated movies »» Matching, coloring, educational, and fantasy online
games on Web sites such as Lego, PBSKids, Barbie, and Disney »» E-rated educational, sports, and fantasy games on
video consoles and handhelds
Main media challenges for parents »» Establishing time limits »» Deciding whether to allow computer/online use »» Setting up online safety, safe search, and parental
control features on computers and game consoles »» Children’s exposure to consumerism, in particular
licensed characters from favorite TV shows and movies being used to sell toys, junk food, etc. »» Children’s exposure to and imitation of “bathroom”
humor and language »» Children’s exposure to and imitation of fantasy
violence
»» Will use swear words and “potty humor” to
get attention »» Still afraid of the dark, loud noises, and strangers »» Love humor – especially slapstick »» Can’t distinguish between fantasy and reality »» Much play involves active make-believe and fantasy »» Do not understand that the intent of commercials
is to sell something
Parent education topics »» Club Penguin »» Healthy Media Diet »» Internet Filters »» Internet Safety for Elementary School Kids »» Junk Food Ads »» Media Violence »» Money Lessons in Online Worlds »» Online Worlds for Young Kids »» Rules of the Road for Parents in a Digital Age »» Scary Movies »» Selling To Kids »» Setting Computer Limits
Common Sense Media, an independent nonprofit, is dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in a world of media and technology. © 2010 www.commonsense.org
Grade by Grade Guide
1st and 2nd grades
The information included in this guide is a reference point for what most children are exposed to at each grade level. All children and families are different; therefore, this guide may not be accurate for some children.
Your first and second grader’s media life
Where kids are developmentally
»» Cartoons and preteen sitcoms on broadcast and cable
»» Learning to type
channels such as PBS, Disney, and Nickelodeon »» Animated and live action G and PG-rated movies »» Matching, coloring, educational, and fantasy online
games on Web sites such as Stardolls, Cartoon Doll Emporium, and Line Rider »» Creating their own avatars online with site such as
Neopets, Club Penguin, and Webkinz »» Beginning online searches »» E-rated and E10+-rated educational, sports, and
fantasy games on video consoles and handhelds
Main media challenges for parents »» Establishing appropriate limits on time and access »» Setting up online safety, filtered search, safe chat,
and parental control features »» Establishing basic Internet safety rules and teaching
safe ways to search »» Children’s exposure to inappropriate content as they
begin to browse and search »» Children’s exposure to consumerism, in particular
licensed characters from favorite TV shows and movies being used to sell toys, junk food, etc., as well as advergames, advertisements, and product tie-ins to online worlds »» Helping kids manage hurt feelings if they are excluded
from groups or games in online virtual worlds
»» Improving reading ability »» Very literal »» Learning to make up their own minds »» Vocabulary increases ahead of comprehension »» Beginning of team sports and social groupings
Parent education topics »» Celebrity Role Models »» Club Penguin »» Healthy Media Diet »» Internet Filters »» Internet Safety for Elementary School Kids »» Junk Food Ads »» Media Violence »» Money Lessons in Online Worlds »» Online Security »» Online Worlds for Young Kids »» Rules of the Road for Parents in a Digital Age »» Scary Movies »» Selling To Kids »» Setting Computer Limits »» YouTube and Your Kids
»» Children’s exposure to and imitation of fantasy violence
Common Sense Media, an independent nonprofit, is dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in a world of media and technology. © 2010 www.commonsense.org
Grade by Grade Guide
3rd and 4th grades
The information included in this guide is a reference point for what most children are exposed to at each grade level. All children and families are different; therefore, this guide may not be accurate for some children.
Your third- and fourth-grader’s media life
Main media challenges for parents
»» Cartoons, tween sitcoms, and reality shows
»» Loss of control of media selection
on broadcast and cable channels such as Disney, Nickelodeon, ABC Family, Fox, and the CW »» Live action PG and some PG-13 rated movies »» Creating their own avatars online with site such
as Neopets, Club Penguin, and Webkinz »» Multi-player online games such as Dizzywood »» Starts visiting video sharing sites like YouTube »» Email accounts »» Using the Internet for school work »» E10+ and some T-rated sports, action, and fantasy
games on video consoles and handhelds »» Cell phones
»» Setting time limits »» Setting up online safety and parental control features »» Balancing kids’ growing independence with safety
concerns, particularly as related to sharing personal information online »» Kids seeking or stumbling upon inappropriate online
content and sharing with others »» Some cheating, stealing, and mean chat in online
games and virtual worlds »» Credibility of information in news and online sources »» Self-directed communication online via email and
mobile phones »» Children’s exposure to consumerism, in particular
advergames, advertisements, and product tie-ins to online worlds »» Children’s exposure to violence in games »» Recognition of race and gender stereotypes »» Body image issues related to skinny models/celebrities
and toned athletes »» Inability for kids to know when to turn off handheld
gaming devices or exit multi-player online games »» Deciding whether to purchase a personal cell phone
Where kids are developmentally »» Body consciousness »» Idolizing older kids and trying to “age up” »» Can understand the difference between fantasy
and reality »» Can follow several story lines at once »» Peer pressure begins
Parent education topics »» Battling Stereotypes »» Boys and Body Image »» Celebrity Role Models »» Cell Phones »» Club Penguin »» Creating With Digital Media »» Cyberbullying »» Digital Life »» Gaming »» Girls and Body Image »» Healthy Media Diet »» Internet Filters »» Internet Safety for Elementary School Kids »» Junk Food Ads »» Managing Multitasking »» Media Violence »» Money Lessons in Online Worlds »» Music and Your Kids »» Online Security »» Online Worlds for Young Kids »» Research and Evaluation »» Rules of the Road for Parents in a Digital Age »» Safe Online Talk »» Scary Movies »» Selling To Kids »» Setting Computer Limits »» Smart Searching Online »» Text Messaging »» Wikipedia »» YouTube and Your Kids
© 2010 www.commonsense.org
Common Sense Media, an independent nonprofit, is dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in a world of media and technology.
Grade by Grade Guide
5th and 6th grades
The information included in this guide is a reference point for what most children are exposed to at each grade level. All children and families are different; therefore, this guide may not be accurate for some children.
Your fifth- and sixth-grader’s media life
Main media challenges for parents
»» Preteen and teen sitcoms, reality shows, and some
»» Setting time limits
adult dramas on broadcast and cable channels such as the CW, Fox, NBC, and MTV »» Live action PG, PG-13, and some R-rated movies »» Online worlds with their own avatars and social
networking sites »» Fan sites like Harry Potter »» Multi-player online games such as Runescape »» Video sharing sites like YouTube »» Email accounts »» Instant messaging »» Adult music, music videos, and iPods with video »» Using the Internet for school work, including
search, blogging »» T and some M-rated sports, action, and fantasy
games on video consoles and handhelds »» Cell phones
»» Loss of control of media selection »» Setting up online safety and parental control features »» Balancing kids’ growing independence with safety
concerns, particularly as related to sharing personal information online »» Credibility of information in news and online sources »» Self-directed communication online via email and
mobile phones »» Establishing a code of ethics online related to
cyberbullying and cheating »» Children’s exposure to rampant consumerism, in
particular advergames, advertisements, and product tie-ins to online worlds »» Children’s exposure to violence in games »» Recognition of race and gender stereotypes »» Children’s exposure to glamorized adult behavior —
such as sex, smoking, and drinking — with few consequences »» Body image issues related to skinny models/celebrities
and toned athletes »» Deciding whether to purchase a personal cell phone
Where kids are developmentally »» Preadolescence hits, secondary sex characteristics
developing »» Moody, independent, breaking away from parents »» Peer relations and group dynamics very important »» Kids’ social interaction segregates into “types” »» Acute awareness of differences in race, sexual
preference, physical strength, ability, and/or beauty »» Early sexual posing »» Ability to understand abstract ideas
Parent education topics »» Alcohol in the Media
»» Respecting Creative Work
»» Battling Stereotypes
»» Rules of the Road for Parents in a Digital Age
»» Boys and Body Image
»» Safe Online Talk
»» Celebrity Role Models
»» Self-expression and identity
»» Cell Phones
»» Selling To Kids
»» Connected Culture
»» Setting Computer Limits
»» Creating With Digital Media
»» Sex and Media
»» Cyberbullying
»» Sexting
»» Digital Life
»» Smart Searching Online
»» Smoking in the Media
»» Gaming
»» Social Networking
»» Girls and Body Image
»» Text Messaging
»» Healthy Media Diet
»» Wikipedia
»» High-Tech Cheating
»» YouTube and Your Kids
»» Instant Messaging »» Internet Filters »» Internet Safety for Middle School Kids »» Junk Food Ads »» Managing Multitasking »» Media Violence »» Money Lessons in Online Worlds »» Music and Your Kids »» Online Security »» Online Worlds for Young Kids »» Protecting and Respecting Online Privacy »» Research and Evaluation
© 2010 www.commonsense.org
Common Sense Media, an independent nonprofit, is dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in a world of media and technology.
Grade by Grade Guide
7th and 8th grades
The information included in this guide is a reference point for what most children are exposed to at each grade level. All children and families are different; therefore, this guide may not be accurate for some children.
Your seventh and eighth grader’s media life
Main media challenges for parents
»» Reality shows and adult dramas on broadcast and
»» Temptation to cheat on school work using technology
cable channels such as the CW, Fox, NBC, and MTV »» Live action PG-13 and R-rated movies »» Online worlds with their own avatars and social
networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace »» Multi-player online games aimed at older kids such
as World of Warcraft and Halo 3
»» Cyberbullying and sexting
»» Communication and media consumption gets private
and portable »» Loss of control of media selection »» Balancing kids’ growing independence with safety
concerns, particularly as related to sharing personal information online
»» Video sharing sites such as YouTube
»» Credibility of information in news and online sources
»» Email accounts
»» Self-directed communication online via email and
»» Instant messaging »» Adult music, music videos, iPods with video »» Using the Internet for school work, including
search, blogging »» Creating and uploading photos, videos, music, games »» T and M-rated sports, action, and fantasy games
on video consoles and handhelds »» Cell phones, texting
mobile phones »» Establishing a code of ethics online related to
cyberbullying and cheating »» Children’s exposure to rampant consumerism, in
particular advergames, advertisements, and product tie-ins to online worlds »» Children’s exposure to violence in games »» Recognition of race and gender stereotypes »» Children’s exposure to glamorized adult behavior —
such as sex, smoking, and drinking — with few consequences »» Children’s exposure to glamorized adult behavior with
few consequences such as sex, smoking, and drinking »» Body image issues related to skinny models/celebrities
and toned athletes
Where kids are developmentally »» Sexual experimentation begins »» Intense peer relationships with outliers punished
socially »» Kids pulling away from family and shifting to friends »» Care about looks and appearance, and being accepted;
easily offended and sensitive to personal criticism »» At risk for developing anti-social tendencies,
depending on peer groups »» Can reflect, analyze, and confront moral and
ethical questions, but aren’t necessarily ready to deal with answers
Parent education topics »» Alcohol in the Media
»» Sexting
»» Battling Stereotypes
»» Smart Searching Online
»» Boys and Body Image
»» Smoking in the Media
»» Celebrity Role Models
»» Social Networking
»» Cell Phones
»» Text Messaging
»» Connected Culture
»» Video Chatting
»» Creating With Digital Media
»» Wikipedia
»» Cyberbullying
»» YouTube and Your Kids
»» Digital Life »» Digital Piracy »» Facebook »» Gaming »» Girls and Body Image »» Healthy Media Diet »» High-Tech Cheating »» Instant Messaging »» Internet Safety for Middle School Kids »» Junk Food Ads »» Managing Multitasking »» Music and Your Kids »» Online Security »» Protecting and Respecting Online Privacy »» Research and Evaluation »» Respecting Creative Work »» Rules of the Road for Parents in a Digital Age »» Safe Online Talk »» Self-expression and identity »» Selling To Kids »» Setting Computer Limits »» Sex and Media
© 2010 www.commonsense.org
Common Sense Media, an independent nonprofit, is dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in a world of media and technology.
Grade by Grade Guide
High school
The information included in this guide is a reference point for what most children are exposed to at each grade level. All children and families are different; therefore, this guide may not be accurate for some children.
Your high schooler’s media life
Main media challenges for parents
»» Reality shows and adult dramas on broadcast and
»» Media is personal, private, portable
cable channels such as the CW, Fox, NBC, and MTV »» Live action PG-13 and R-rated movies »» Online worlds with their own avatars and social
networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace
»» Loss of control of media selection »» Balancing kids’ growing independence with safety
concerns, particularly as related to sharing personal information online
»» Multi-player online games such as World of Warcraft
»» Credibility of information in news and online sources
»» Video sharing sites such as YouTube
»» Self-directed communication online via email and
»» Email accounts »» Instant messaging »» iPods with video »» Using the Internet for school work, including search,
blogging »» T and M-rated sports, action, and fantasy games
on video consoles and handhelds »» Cell phones with texting »» Online pornography
mobile phones »» Establishing a code of ethics online related to
cyberbullying and cheating »» Children’s exposure to violence in games, »» Recognition of race and gender stereotypes »» Children’s exposure to glamorized adult behavior —
such as sex, smoking, and drinking — with few consequences »» Body image issues related to skinny models/celebrities
and toned athletes »» Sexual sites »» Social media sites’ effects on college admissions »» Social media sites’ effects on employment
Where kids are developmentally »» Sexual development leading to experimentation »» Identity development and experimentation »» Need for social reinforcement from peers »» Independence from parents and need for privacy »» Able to understand abstract concepts
Parent education topics »» Alcohol in the Media »» Battling Stereotypes »» Celebrity Role Models »» Cell Phones »» Connected Culture »» Creating With Digital Media »» Cyberbullying »» Digital Life »» Digital Piracy »» Facebook »» Gaming »» High-Tech Cheating »» Internet Safety for High School Kids »» Managing Multitasking »» Music and Your Kids »» Online Security »» Protecting and Respecting Online Privacy »» Research and Evaluation »» Respecting Creative Work »» Rules of the Road for Parents in a Digital Age »» Self-expression and identity »» Sex and Media »» Sexting »» Smoking in the Media »» Social Networking »» Text Messaging »» Video Chatting »» Wikipedia »» YouTube and Your Kids
© 2010 www.commonsense.org
Common Sense Media, an independent nonprofit, is dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in a world of media and technology.