Common Sense Media
Encyclopedia
Common Sense Media commonly known as CSM, is a San Francisco-based non-profit organization
which serves as a guide for parents that has reviews for most media types, including books, movies, video games, music, and websites, and rates them in terms of violence, sex, and profanity. The website also reviews media based on their level of quality. Their main focus has been on protecting children from the dangers of being on the Internet
.
and the organization Global Kids to organize the first ever three-way communication with parents, teenagers, and educators about issues faced in the online world.
It has also partnered with Verizon Communications
to create a curriculum based on improving digital literacy
. According to CSM, they plan to offer a series of 13 lessons and videos designed for middle school
students that would teach them about subjects such as protecting one's online privacy and cyber-bullying
. They have also teamed with MTV
's "A Thin Line" campaign and the Family Violence Prevention Fund
to conduct a series of town hall meeting
s for teenagers and parents to discuss online issues that they face; one was already held in Omaha, Nebraska
on December 6, 2010.
The organization has utilized their own rating system for films and video games (such as "7+", 16+", etc.) which differs from the rating systems currently used by the Motion Picture Association of America and the Entertainment Software Rating Board
. This system is currently featured on websites from Best Buy
, Barnes and Noble, Yahoo!
, Netflix
, and AOL
. It has received positive support from parents, and it has received support from President Barack Obama
, who stated that its rating system favored "sanity, not censorship".
about the ESRB
's rating downgrade of a revised version of Manhunt 2
from "Adults Only" to "Mature". It protested on the basis that the revised version of the game, which was censored to prevent the game from remaining banned in both countries, was still banned in the UK via the ratings given by the British Board of Film Classification
(BBFC). They also noted that players could still play a "leaked uncensored version" of Manhunt 2 on modded
PlayStation 3
, as Take-Two Interactive
mentioned. The organization sought the FTC to launch a Federal investigation on the rating process of the ESRB, claiming the wide availability of the leaked version and the damage to children that the censored version still had. The Los Angeles Times
called Common Sense Media "one of the most zealous voices when it comes to encouraging state legislation limiting the sale of ultra-violent games to minors"; the quoted piece also criticized its tax status with regards to whether or not the organization was an advocacy group
or a lobbying firm. The article cited a 2005 press release that praised former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich
for signing a similar "video game ban law" in Illinois, and it called into question whether or not CSM was lobbying in favor of the Child Safe Viewing Act.
The organization has submitted an amicus brief to the Supreme Court regarding the case Schwarzenegger v. Entertainment Merchants Association
. They published a survey, conducted by Zogby International
, which asked 2100 parents whether or not they supported the "video game ban bill" – CA Law AB 1793
, which is being contested under Schwarzenegger v. EMA; results showed that 72% of the respondents expressed support for the bill, and another 75% held negative views of the video game industry in general. This has drawn criticism from video gaming media; Ars Technica
described the survey as "shock tactics
".
CSM has also supported the U.S. Department of Commerce's creation of an "online privacy policy", which would include a "Privacy Bill of Rights" and would make clear as to what types of personal information companies are allowed to keep on clients. It has also supported an expansion to the scope of Children's Online Privacy Protection Act
(COPPA) that would cover all children under 18 – with options for 16 and 17-year-old children to "opt-in" or "opt-out" from the allowance of companies to collect private information – as documented by the CSM in a report to the Federal Trade Commission
as part of a review of the law.
In 2009, the organization has criticized the National Football League
for showing too many commercials during games which were deemed inappropriate for a family audience, including commercials for erectile dysfunction
drugs and previews of shows which depicted overly violent or sexual overtones.
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
which serves as a guide for parents that has reviews for most media types, including books, movies, video games, music, and websites, and rates them in terms of violence, sex, and profanity. The website also reviews media based on their level of quality. Their main focus has been on protecting children from the dangers of being on the Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
.
Reviews
Common Sense Media reviews video games, movies, television shows, music, software apps and books. Media are rated according to a "decider slider", which gives guidance regarding the subject's age suitability, and a "content grid" which rates particular aspects of the review subject, such as violent or sexual content. Reviews also have an overall five-star quality rating.Education
In 2009, CSM partnered with Harvard UniversityHarvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
and the organization Global Kids to organize the first ever three-way communication with parents, teenagers, and educators about issues faced in the online world.
It has also partnered with Verizon Communications
Verizon Communications
Verizon Communications Inc. is a global broadband and telecommunications company and a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average...
to create a curriculum based on improving digital literacy
Digital literacy
Digital literacy is the ability to locate, organize, understand, evaluate, and analyze information using digital technology. It involves a working knowledge of current high-technology, and an understanding of how it can be used. Further, digital literacy involves a consciousness of the...
. According to CSM, they plan to offer a series of 13 lessons and videos designed for middle school
Middle school
Middle School and Junior High School are levels of schooling between elementary and high schools. Most school systems use one term or the other, not both. The terms are not interchangeable...
students that would teach them about subjects such as protecting one's online privacy and cyber-bullying
Cyber-bullying
Cyber-bullying is the use of the Internet and related technologies to harm other people, in a deliberate, repeated, and hostile manner. As it has become more common in society, particularly among young people, legislation and awareness campaigns have arisen to combat it.-Definition:The term...
. They have also teamed with MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
's "A Thin Line" campaign and the Family Violence Prevention Fund
Family Violence Prevention Fund
Futures Without Violence is a US-based 501 nonprofit focused on ending domestic and sexual violence...
to conduct a series of town hall meeting
Town hall meeting
A town hall meeting is an American English term given to an informal public meeting. Everybody in a town community is invited to attend, not always to voice their opinions, but to hear the responses from public figures and elected officials about shared subjects of interest. Attendees rarely voted...
s for teenagers and parents to discuss online issues that they face; one was already held in Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
on December 6, 2010.
The organization has utilized their own rating system for films and video games (such as "7+", 16+", etc.) which differs from the rating systems currently used by the Motion Picture Association of America and the Entertainment Software Rating Board
Entertainment Software Rating Board
The Entertainment Software Rating Board is a self-regulatory organization that assigns age and content ratings, enforces industry-adopted advertising guidelines, and ensures responsible online privacy principles for computer and video games as well as entertainment software in Canada, Mexico and...
. This system is currently featured on websites from Best Buy
Best Buy
Best Buy Co., Inc. is an American specialty retailer of consumer electronics in the United States, accounting for 19% of the market. It also operates in Mexico, Canada & China. The company's subsidiaries include Geek Squad, CinemaNow, Magnolia Audio Video, Pacific Sales, and, in Canada operates...
, Barnes and Noble, Yahoo!
Yahoo!
Yahoo! Inc. is an American multinational internet corporation headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, United States. The company is perhaps best known for its web portal, search engine , Yahoo! Directory, Yahoo! Mail, Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Groups, Yahoo! Answers, advertising, online mapping ,...
, Netflix
Netflix
Netflix, Inc., is an American provider of on-demand internet streaming media in the United States, Canada, and Latin America and flat rate DVD-by-mail in the United States. The company was established in 1997 and is headquartered in Los Gatos, California...
, and AOL
AOL
AOL Inc. is an American global Internet services and media company. AOL is headquartered at 770 Broadway in New York. Founded in 1983 as Control Video Corporation, it has franchised its services to companies in several nations around the world or set up international versions of its services...
. It has received positive support from parents, and it has received support from President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
, who stated that its rating system favored "sanity, not censorship".
Advocacy
On November 1, 2007, Common Sense Media protested to the Federal Trade CommissionFederal Trade Commission
The Federal Trade Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, established in 1914 by the Federal Trade Commission Act...
about the ESRB
Entertainment Software Rating Board
The Entertainment Software Rating Board is a self-regulatory organization that assigns age and content ratings, enforces industry-adopted advertising guidelines, and ensures responsible online privacy principles for computer and video games as well as entertainment software in Canada, Mexico and...
's rating downgrade of a revised version of Manhunt 2
Manhunt 2
Manhunt 2 is an action/adventure video game developed by Rockstar Games and the sequel to 2003's Manhunt. The game was released in North America for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, and Wii on October 29, 2007....
from "Adults Only" to "Mature". It protested on the basis that the revised version of the game, which was censored to prevent the game from remaining banned in both countries, was still banned in the UK via the ratings given by the British Board of Film Classification
British Board of Film Classification
The British Board of Film Classification , originally British Board of Film Censors, is a non-governmental organisation, funded by the film industry and responsible for the national classification of films within the United Kingdom...
(BBFC). They also noted that players could still play a "leaked uncensored version" of Manhunt 2 on modded
Modding
Modding is a slang expression that is derived from the verb "modify". Modding refers to the act of modifying a piece of hardware or software or anything else for that matter, to perform a function not originally conceived or intended by the designer...
PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
, as Take-Two Interactive
Take-Two Interactive
Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. is a major American publisher, developer, and distributor of video games and video game peripherals. Take-Two wholly owns 2K Games and Rockstar Games. The company's headquarters are in New York City, with international headquarters in Windsor, United Kingdom...
mentioned. The organization sought the FTC to launch a Federal investigation on the rating process of the ESRB, claiming the wide availability of the leaked version and the damage to children that the censored version still had. The Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
called Common Sense Media "one of the most zealous voices when it comes to encouraging state legislation limiting the sale of ultra-violent games to minors"; the quoted piece also criticized its tax status with regards to whether or not the organization was an advocacy group
Advocacy group
Advocacy groups use various forms of advocacy to influence public opinion and/or policy; they have played and continue to play an important part in the development of political and social systems...
or a lobbying firm. The article cited a 2005 press release that praised former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich
Rod Blagojevich
Rod R. Blagojevich is an American politician who served as the 40th Governor of Illinois from 2003 to 2009. A Democrat, Blagojevich was a State Representative before being elected to the United States House of Representatives representing parts of Chicago...
for signing a similar "video game ban law" in Illinois, and it called into question whether or not CSM was lobbying in favor of the Child Safe Viewing Act.
The organization has submitted an amicus brief to the Supreme Court regarding the case Schwarzenegger v. Entertainment Merchants Association
Schwarzenegger v. Entertainment Merchants Association
Brown v. Entertainment Merchants Association is a landmark Supreme Court of the United States case that struck down a California law enacted in 2005 that bans the sale of certain violent video games to children without parental supervision...
. They published a survey, conducted by Zogby International
Zogby International
IBOPE Zogby International is an international market research, opinion polling firm founded in 1984 by John Zogby. The company polls and consults for a wide spectrum of business media, government, and political groups, and conducts public opinion research in more than 70 countries...
, which asked 2100 parents whether or not they supported the "video game ban bill" – CA Law AB 1793
California Assembly Bills 1792 & 1793
California Assembly Bills 1792 & 1793 were two bills introduced by Speaker pro Tempore of the Assembly Leland Yee . Commonly called the "ultraviolent video games bills" or simply "video game ban" bills, these two bills restricted sales of "ultraviolent" video games from minors under the age of 18...
, which is being contested under Schwarzenegger v. EMA; results showed that 72% of the respondents expressed support for the bill, and another 75% held negative views of the video game industry in general. This has drawn criticism from video gaming media; Ars Technica
Ars Technica
Ars Technica is a technology news and information website created by Ken Fisher and Jon Stokes in 1998. It publishes news, reviews and guides on issues such as computer hardware and software, science, technology policy, and video games. Ars Technica is known for its features, long articles that go...
described the survey as "shock tactics
Shock tactics
Shock tactics, shock tactic or Shock attack is the name of an offensive maneuver which attempts to place the enemy under psychological pressure by a rapid and fully committed advance with the aim of causing their soldiers to retreat...
".
CSM has also supported the U.S. Department of Commerce's creation of an "online privacy policy", which would include a "Privacy Bill of Rights" and would make clear as to what types of personal information companies are allowed to keep on clients. It has also supported an expansion to the scope of Children's Online Privacy Protection Act
Children's Online Privacy Protection Act
The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 is a United States federal law, located at .The act, effective April 21, 2000, applies to the online collection of personal information by persons or entities under U.S. jurisdiction from children under 13 years of age...
(COPPA) that would cover all children under 18 – with options for 16 and 17-year-old children to "opt-in" or "opt-out" from the allowance of companies to collect private information – as documented by the CSM in a report to the Federal Trade Commission
Federal Trade Commission
The Federal Trade Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, established in 1914 by the Federal Trade Commission Act...
as part of a review of the law.
In 2009, the organization has criticized the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
for showing too many commercials during games which were deemed inappropriate for a family audience, including commercials for erectile dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction is sexual dysfunction characterized by the inability to develop or maintain an erection of the penis during sexual performance....
drugs and previews of shows which depicted overly violent or sexual overtones.