Common Sense Media answers: "What's in this movie?" Screenwise answers: "Is this right for my kid?" Both are useful — they solve different problems. Common Sense Media gives universal content breakdowns. Screenwise gives personalized, family-specific guidance using four-dimension WISE scores (Wholesome, Imaginative, Safe, Enriching) and community benchmark data from real families.
Common Sense Media has been around since 2003 and has reviewed thousands of movies, shows, games, and apps. When you want to know if there's nudity in a film or how many F-bombs are in a show, they've got you covered.
Their reviews are thorough. Their content breakdowns are detailed. For parents who need to know exactly what's in something before making a call, it's genuinely helpful.
Use Common Sense Media when:
- You need specific content warnings (violence level, language count, sexual content)
- You want a detailed plot summary without spoilers
- You're researching a specific title before watching with your kid
Common Sense Media gives every kid the same rating. A 10-year-old who's been watching Marvel movies since age 5 gets the same "age 10+" recommendation as a 10-year-old who still gets nightmares from Coraline. A family that's fine with some language gets the same guidance as one that isn't.
The rating doesn't know your kid. It can't.
The way kids consume media today is also wildly different from when Common Sense Media launched. Back then, parents mostly worried about movies and video games. Now it's YouTube rabbit holes, Discord servers, Roblox experiences that update weekly, AI chatbots, podcasts, TikTok trends — a static content review can't keep up with that landscape.
Screenwise starts with a different question: What does your family actually look like?
Through a 5-minute family survey, we learn your kid's age and grade, what they're already watching and playing, your comfort levels with different content types, and what your community norms look like. Then we give you personalized guidance — same movie, different recommendations for different families.
Our WISE scoring system rates media across four dimensions (Wholesome, Imaginative, Safe, Enriching) on a 0-100 scale, and those scores adapt based on your family's values and context.
Use Screenwise when:
- You want recommendations tailored to YOUR kid's age, maturity, and your family's values
- You're curious what other families at your school are doing
- You want to understand the whole digital picture, not just one title
- You need guidance on stuff that doesn't have a traditional review yet
| Common Sense Media | Screenwise | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating system | Single age number (e.g. "Age 10+") | Four-dimension WISE score (0-100) |
| Personalization | Same rating for every family | Adapts to your family's values and context |
| Community data | None | Shows what families at your school/grade do |
| Coverage | Movies, shows, games, apps, books | All media + YouTube, TikTok, podcasts, board games |
| Approach | "What's in this content?" | "Is this right for YOUR kid?" |
| Cost | Free | Free tier + paid plans |
The smart move is using both. Common Sense Media for content details on specific titles. Screenwise for personalized recommendations and understanding your family's digital wellness in context with your community.
Common Sense Media is like the nutrition label on food — useful, standardized, tells you the facts. Screenwise is like a friend who knows your kid saying, "Yeah, your daughter would love this, but maybe wait a year for your son."
Q: Is Screenwise a replacement for Common Sense Media?
No. They're complementary tools. Common Sense Media excels at detailed content breakdowns for specific titles. Screenwise excels at personalized recommendations and community context. Use both.
Q: How are WISE scores different from Common Sense Media age ratings?
WISE scores rate media across four dimensions — Wholesome, Imaginative, Safe, and Enriching — on a 0-100 scale. Unlike a single age number, WISE scores show you why something might or might not work for your family, and they adapt based on your family's values and priorities.
Q: Does Screenwise review the same media as Common Sense Media?
Screenwise covers movies, TV shows, video games, books, apps, YouTube channels, TikTok, podcasts, and board games. We rate many of the same titles but also cover platforms and content types that Common Sense Media doesn't review.
Q: Is Screenwise free?
Yes — the family survey, community benchmarks, and basic recommendations are free. Premium features like personalized insights and unlimited guide access are available with a paid plan.
Different tools for different jobs. Both have a place in your parenting toolkit. Take the 5-minute Screenwise survey and get personalized recommendations based on your actual family situation.