Blog Posts by Common Sense Media

Must-See Summer Movies
With so many sequels, comic book-hero adventures, and big-budget action and animated flicks hitting multiplexes near you this summer, we've provided a month-by-month cheat sheet to help you with your moviegoing choices.

MAY
Thor
Release Date: May 6
Target Age: Tweens and Teens
What's the Buzz: Even in the pantheon of superheroes, Thor is unique because he's an actual god. Starring Chris Hemsworth and Academy Award winner Natalie Portman, this is one action adventure that's sure to appeal equally to boys and girls, not to mention grown-ups curious about director Kenneth Branagh delving into the genre.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
Release Date: May 20
Target Age: Tweens and Teens
What's the Buzz: Yo, ho -- Johnny Depp returns for the fourth time as Captain Jack Sparrow in Disney's popular pirate franchise. Gone are Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley, but Penelope Cruz and Ian McShane are on board for this high-seas

My colleagues here at Common Sense Media decided it would be hilarious if they tortured me with a week without television. I'm the TV editor, so I watch a lot, and while I'm judicious in my selections for my kids, I admit that they watch a lot, too. But I'm always up for a challenge, so with the Campaign for Commercial-Free Childhood's annual Screen-Free Week coming up April 18-24, I've taken the bait. One week, no screens. For entertainment at least -- I'll still be online for work, checking weather, monitoring my bank balance -- but otherwise, nothing.

I'm a little freaked out.

It's not like I can't handle cutting back on my new obsession with The Killing. That's what the DVR is for. My main challenge will be figuring out how to amuse my kids when I have things that need to get done. Like taking a shower, paying bills, folding laundry, cooking dinner. Somehow, just knowing I have TV in my back pocket, even if I don't use it, makes those moments when my 4-year-old is cranky

Day One -- A Groggy Morning

The first morning of our TV-free week didn't go exactly as planned. Despite extensive preparations -- including several new books from the library, audio books, kid-friendly podcasts, art projects, and bowls of cereal set out the night before -- my husband and I still did not get the sleeping-in time that comes with Saturday morning cartoons.

While the kids' initial reaction to screen-free week had been filled with mournful sobs and emphatic declarations of "That's a bad plan!" -- they soon built up excitement around the idea. I think that might have had something to do with how early they woke up.

6:14 a.m. As I stumbled through the dining room to hook up the iPod for my son, my daughter was already engrossed in a book. "I love reading!" she said. If the Campaign for Commercial-Free Childhood had been there filming a reality show, this would have been their golden moment.

6:17 a.m. Back in bed, the covers pulled over my head, when my son --

Whether she's offering her kids a hug, a shoulder to cry on, or an important lesson about growing up, there are few characters as compelling as a good movie mom. This list includes some of our favorites -- check one out for your next family movie night.

The Princess Diaries
Terrific fun for girls and their families, too.

The Sound of Music
Outstanding family film features glorious music.

The Incredibles
Top-notch, action-packed fun for the entire family.

Freaky Friday
Mother-daughter switch is fun comedic chaos.

Get the full list of some of our Favorite Movie Moms.

Move over Iron Man. Moms are made of strong stuff too and these movies more than prove it. Our cinematic selection of don't-mess-with-me moms includes the unflappable matriarchs (Steel Magnolias, My Big Fat Greek Wedding), super heroes (Elastagirl in The Incredibles), super spies (Spy Kids), moms protective of their kids (Leigh Ann in The Blind Side), and even willing to cross oceans for them to keep them from harm (The Triplets of Belleville).

The Incredibles
Incredible and action packed fun for the entire family.

Spy Kids
Just the right combination of fantasy and comedy.

Freaky Friday
Mother-daughter switch is fun comedic chaos.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding
Perfect sleepover movie for tweens (and moms!).

The Triplets of Belleville
Astonishing, outlandish, and full of laughs.

Get the full list and reviews of each movie from our Tough Mom picks.

How to Fight Cyberbullying

Maybe it was a joke -- with a little too much of an edge. Or maybe it was an outright attack. When it comes to cyberbullying, you know it when you see it. And if your kid is the target, you'll want to do everything in your power to make it better. But as parents, teachers, school administrators, and even law enforcement officials wrestle with how to deal with cyberbullying, it's been hard to get concrete advice on what to do if it happens to your kid. Everyone can agree that you don't want to make it worse. And while your kid may want to defend himself, it's best not to engage. The steps below can help kids defuse the situation, protect themselves, and hopefully put a stop to cyberbullying.

Stay-Safe Tips

Sign off the computer. It's best to ignore attacks and walk away from the cyberbully.

Don't respond or retaliate. If you're angry and reply, then you might say nasty things. Cyberbullies often just want to get a reaction out of you, so don't let them know

My colleagues here at Common Sense Media decided it would be hilarious if they tortured me with a week without television. I'm the TV editor, so I watch a lot, and while I'm judicious in my selections for my kids, I admit that they watch a lot, too. But I'm always up for a challenge, so with the Campaign for Commercial-Free Childhood's annual Screen-Free Week coming up April 18-24, I've taken the bait. One week, no screens. For entertainment at least -- I'll still be online for work, checking weather, monitoring my bank balance -- but otherwise, nothing.

I'm a little freaked out.

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It's not like I can't handle cutting back on my new obsession with The Killing. That's what the DVR is for. My main challenge will be figuring out how to amuse my kids when I have things that need to get done. Like taking a shower, paying bills, folding laundry, cooking dinner. Somehow, just knowing I have TV in my back pocket, even if I don't use it, makes

Active Video Games Can Help Your Family Get Fit (For Real)

I've always believed in the importance of play in kids' lives. I'm talking real play -- blocks, dolls, rubber balls. So when Wii Sports came into our lives, I insisted that my son learn to play real tennis before he could play the virtual version.

My high-minded ideals lasted just long enough for our family to buy $300 worth of equipment, spend an entirely frustrating hour on the court, and leave in angry silence. So I caved. We fired up Wii Sports -- and I got a shock along with my tennis lesson. Wii Tennis was fun. It was uplifting. It provided friendly competition and a way to learn good sportsmanship. And what surprised me the most was it actually gave us enough practice to give our real rackets a second -- and third, and fourth -- try.

What the Experts Say

According to a recent survey conducted by the American Heart Association about the motivating effects of active video games, 58 percent of people who play