Website Review: Bratz.com
Rated by 3 members
What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that the Bratz dolls are all about the
next mall crawl, prom night, and slumber party. On this site --
which is as pro-consumerist as everything else connected to the
dolls -- girls are encouraged to buy Bratz merch and revel in
all things trivial, such as makeup and fashion accessories. The
characters' unrealistic bodies (complete with tiny waists and
huge lips) might give girls a skewed idea of what a "real"
figure looks like. The Bratz virtual world (www.be-bratz.com)
requires girls to buy a necklace/USB key, which comes with the
$30 dolls, in order to play.
Families can talk about the amazing marketing machine the Bratz creators have built. How much money (and time) do you consider worthwhile to spend on Bratz dolls and accessories, video games, and DVDs? Do you think you can still have fun with the dolls without buying everything targeted at you? Does it make them seems less genuine if they have so many products attached to them? Families can also talk about whether the Bratz girls are accurate representations of real girls. Do most girls look like the Bratz? Do they add to the pressure of being thin?
Common Sense Media Review
The
Bratz
divas are all about fashion -- with a preference for big clunky
shoes, faux fur jackets, and navel-revealing tops. They have
awesome accessories, too, and love to try on makeup. The only
question is: How many ways can they get kids to buy something
Bratz related? After clicking around this site, the answer is
TONS! You can learn about or buy Bratz products on every page
on the site, as well as find retailers who can sell them to
you. The site does have some interactive games, but they mostly
involve dress-up or makeup. Little girls will enjoy these games
(even if parents aren't thrilled by the messages they're
sending), while bigger girls may prefer the few other games
that require more skill. Those who have registered for the club
(it's free, but requires parental permission if you're under
18) can use more of the site's features, including playing some
games and entering the virtual Bratz world. You need to buy a
physical doll ($30) to get a code to access the virtual world.
Yes, Virginia, there is life beyond the hottest new eye shadow
color, but your daughter won't learn about it here.
For a more creative, less product-driven site, try on GirlSense.com for size.
Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information to help parents make media and entertainment choices for their families.
