Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this semi-interactive tween comedy—which stars Miranda Cosgrove of Drake & Josh—asks its young viewers to contribute material though its real-life Web site (iCarly.com). Characters reference the site many times in each episode, encouraging kids to log on and check out blogs and additional show footage, as well as submit their own story ideas, comments, and videos, some of which will be used on air. The show itself is fairly benign, featuring the standard amount of boy/girl flirting and other tween issues.

Families can talk about the Internet. What kinds of things can you see online? Is it good to be able to access so much information and content, bad, or some of both? How does the Web affect your relationship with other people? What are some of the dangers associated with Internet use? Has anyone you know ever been bullied or otherwise mistreated online? How? What did they do? Remind your kids that they should never say anything online that they wouldn’t say to someone’s face, and make sure tweens understand your rules for using the Internet, especially regarding uploading videos and providing personal information to any Web site..

Common Sense Review
With ICARLY, Nickelodeon expands into the realm of TV-Web integration, asking viewers to contribute material directly to the series through its sister Web site. The series centers on the life of Carly Shay (Miranda Cosgrove of Drake & Josh), an opinionated eighth grader who lives with her artsy twenty-something brother, Spencer (Jerry Trainor), while her parents are abroad with the military. Carly stumbles into Internet fame when a video of her and her best friend gossiping about their peers is accidentally posted online and accessed by thousands of fans, who demand more of the hilarity. (Funny, yes, but remind kid viewers that this sort of thing verges on cyberbullying territory.)

At first Carly and Sam (Jennette McCurdy) are mortified that their conversations are available to the world, but they later decide to build on their notoriety and start a live webcast about what’s important to them. With the help of Carly’s neighbor Freddie (Nathan Kress) —who’s happy to offer his technological expertise to his crush, Carly—the girls brainstorm content ideas and turn to their peers for star power. Suddenly not only are Carly and Sam Web celebs, but their friends are, too.