Common Sense Media Announces Newest Common Sense Seal for TV Honorees
As kids increasingly turn to mobile devices, so does quality entertainment.
SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Common Sense Media, the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to helping kids thrive in a world of media and technology, is announcing a new wave of Common Sense Seal for TV honorees. This distinction was created to recognize standout new shows that offer exceptional media experiences for families to watch, talk about, and learn from together.
Since it introduced the Seal for TV in the fall of 2015, Common Sense Media has given the honor to 125 outstanding shows and movies/specials each winter and fall. This fifth installment adds 33 more titles to the list, which not only meet Common Sense Media's highest editorial standards for entertainment value and engagement but also deliver important themes, messages, and role models.
Of the 33 Seal honorees, the majority (12) are aimed at kids age 5 to 7, another eight at younger kids (age 3 to 4), and nine at tweens (age 8 to 12). Of the four shows for a teen audience, all but one aired on digital streaming platforms.
Nearly half (16) of this season's Seals went to streaming content, which continues a trend of quality kids' shows airing on digital platforms. Netflix and Amazon dominate the category with 7 and 4 Seals, respectively, but new Seal recipients this round include Facebook Watch's "Humans of New York: The Series" and Chipotle's "Rad Lands," the first branded content to earn this distinction.
"We know kids are spending a big chunk of their screen time on mobile devices, and it's refreshing to see that there are good digital options," said James P. Steyer, CEO and founder of Common Sense. "Just because digital platforms stream shows directly to mobile devices, watching them doesn't have to be a solitary experience. Common Sense encourages families to watch these shows together."
In October 2017, Common Sense released new research documenting the media habits and activities of kids age 0 to 8, the third such release in six years. The findings showed that while kids are watching less TV daily than they did in 2011 (1:09 vs. :58), their time using mobile devices every day has increased nearly tenfold (:05 vs. :48). With 16 Seals awarded to shows on digital platforms, it's no surprise that content creators are meeting kids where they are.
Though these picks represent the best in kids' content, the transition toward mobile delivery presents challenges for parents who are trying to ensure that their kids are watching high-quality, appropriate content. Common Sense and the Seal for TV aim to help parents identify the best shows for their families while establishing a standard for content creators to aspire to.
About the Common Sense Seal
Seal selections, which are released each spring and fall, are determined by Common Sense Media's in-house team of seasoned reviewers, editors, and child-development experts based on our proven rubric for independent, age-based ratings. Common Sense has deployed these ratings across 30,000 reviews of movies, TV shows, and other media since the organization was founded in 2003. The Common Sense Seal for TV is an expansion of the Common Sense Seal initiative, which launched in October 2014 with a Seal for movies and has honored 83 films to date. More information is available at https://www.commonsensemedia.org/seal.
About Common Sense
Common Sense is committed to making kids the nation's top priority. We are a trusted guide for the families, educators, and advocates who help kids thrive. We provide resources to harness the power of media, technology, and public policy to improve the well-being of every child. Learn more at commonsense.org.
SOURCE Common Sense Media
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