What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that this futuristic, computer-animated
kids' show has little concern for common sense and safety. The
tween characters recklessly rip around on their high-tech
hoverboards and hoverbikes, chasing after human clones in an
effort to destroy them. While they do wear helmets and
protective gear, they weave dangerously through traffic and
attempt to jump over other vehicles. Heartless violence is also
depicted, as the android children show no remorse when
destroying the clones.
Families can talk about playing it safe. Discuss the differences between safe, real-world use of skateboards and bikes and the wild, out-of-control antics of the show. What are the consequences of unsafe skating and biking? What areas are appropriate for skateboarding and riding bikes? What equipment should you always wear when biking or boarding?
Common Sense Media Review
Set in the future metropolis of Progress City, GET ED is an
action-packed wild goose chase based on the adventures of a
group of android tweens.
Ed and his team of cyber sleuths work for Dojo Deliveries, which specializes in combating the problems of the high tech future. While uncovering information-based crimes, Ed and his friends also work to protect Progress City from the total domination of their evil nemesis, Bedlam.
Short on story and full of wild action, with its CGI animation, Get Ed resembles a pursue-and-destroy video game. The characters all ride on hoverboards and hoverbikes, and every episode features high-speed chases between the Dojo team and Bedlam's henchmen of clones and robots. This often results in dangerous maneuvers in which the team completely disregards safety in pursuit of their enemies. (While the characters may roll into protective bouncy balls when thrown off their boards, kids should know the consequences of unsafe skating and biking.)
The violence featured in Get Ed also resembles video games in that clones and robots simply explode into green balls of goo when they're destroyed. But the most disturbing aspect is that the clones look like humans, and the Dojo team grows more excited the more they wipe out. All in all, there are no real positive lessons to be learned here. Get Ed is purely high-action, high-speed entertainment.
Kids may get a hoot out of Get Ed because it's full of extreme sport thrills and video game action. But parents should think twice before letting kids under 8 watch. Those sensitive to rapid movement and motion sickness should also be aware that this show is visually comparable to a rollercoaster. Overall, while potentially entertaining, there are better choices out there.
Better action cartoons for kids this age include Avatar: The Last Airbender and Time Warp Trio.
Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information to help parents make media and entertainment choices for their families.
