Other thoughts on iCarly?

I watched it the other night with the kids and it seemed mild enough but then we watched another episode or 2 and some of the content seems...too grown up? Do my kids need to know what making out is? a sweatshop? vandalism? shoplifting? why Sam is talking about "staying out of juvie"? Making fun of someone's looks? My 8 yr old didn't get why they all made a weird face & sound when they saw someone who was unattractive on an episode. He actually asked me why they all acted like that. I like that he doesn't get what was wrong with the girl's look (they clearly made the character look goofy and homely) I toild him she probably looked mean. He'll learn soon enough so many of these things just by growing up (hopefully not firsthand about juvie)

For anyone who previously said they let their kids watch it - I'm not asking anyone to defend why nor am I judging - honestly. I have asked a lot of parents IRL as well and most, I think pretty much all let their kids watch this show with kids who are my kids ages (my 4 yr old doesn't even want to watch so I'm just talikng the the 6 & 8 yr olds)

But am I being a prude or wanting my kids to live in a bubble? I know the main characters are not really being bad kids (other than the juvie who wants to assault people a lot just from the 3 episodes I saw) but I am just wondering what the positives are of letting them watch. I mean, they really really want to watch it and seemed to genuinely enjoy it.

Thoughts? Am I missing something when it comes to the content?

Re: Other thoughts on iCarly?

I don't think you are missing a thing. You want to protect the innocence of your children for as long as you can. iCarly does push some boundaries sometimes. But so do a lot of cartoons. My girlfriend doesn't allow her kids to watch television at all because she just doesn't see any value in it and becuase she recognizes that once a certain 'awareness' threshhold has been crossed.. it can't be un-crossed. It works for her.. but not for us. I just try to open dialogue with them as much as possible. I try to stay ahead of the curve with them. I figure if we're watching and talking about stuff together.. it's easier to deal with than letting them get half truths and misinformation from peers.

I guess I figure I can't beat them.. but I can manage it better if I'm able to know what they are seeing and hearing.

Re: Other thoughts on iCarly?

ITA w/you, OP
but I also find a lot of shows for that target audience are of similar substance

Message edited 11/7/2010 1:46:36 PM.

Re: Other thoughts on iCarly?

Re: Other thoughts on iCarly?

Jordan(almost 10) watches and loves this show. I do watch it most of the time with her and some stuff goes over her head. But let me tell you, she see, hears and learns much worse things on the schoolbus. I feel like you can't shelter your kids, you just have to use each and every thing as a learning lesson. including the content of these shows. KWIM?