common sense

What common sense does

Common Sense Media, Inc. is a San Francisco-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2007 that serves families with children, K-12 educators and schools, policymakers, and technology and media companies. Its core activities include independent age-based ratings and expert reviews for movies, television, books, games, apps, and other media; free digital-literacy curriculum and professional development; original research; and advocacy for child online-safety and technology-accountability policies. The organization reports reaching 124 million households and 1.4 million educators.\n\nIts product and technology surface includes the Media Ratings and Reviews Platform, Common Sense Education, a K-12 digital-literacy and well-being curriculum, AI literacy lessons and teacher training, privacy evaluations, a Privacy Seal, AI risk assessments, and the Youth AI Safety Institute. The ratings and evaluation stack combines research and human content review with age-based rating systems, privacy frameworks, and AI safety methodologies. AI is used to assist with review moderation and personalized recommendations, while educational tools include Google Classroom delivery, auto-graded quizzes, Google and Microsoft single sign-on, and curriculum distribution through Nearpod.\n\nAs a nonprofit, Common Sense Media is funded through individual membership subscriptions, tax-deductible donations, foundation and philanthropic grants, and corporate partnerships rather than through conventional equity financing. Educator resources are free, while media-site membership is offered as an annual subscription. The organization reaches users directly through its websites, educational content, email, research, webinars, and community activity, and distributes ratings through embedded integrations with media, device, retail, and education platforms. Public annual revenue is not disclosed in the supplied material.

Name

common sense

Legal name

Common Sense Media, Inc.

Website

https://commonsense.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Common Sense Media is an independent nonprofit providing research-based media ratings, digital literacy education, privacy and AI-safety evaluations, and child online-safety advocacy for families, K-12 educators, policymakers, and technology platforms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Children's Media Ratings and Digital Literacy Education

NAICS

Broadcasting and Content Providers (516), Information (51), Public Relations Agencies (54182)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Educational/Instructional Public Media Services (Schools, Distance Learning) (MPABADAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Family Co-Viewing Educational Channels (MPABAKAL), Public Media Digital Platforms & Streaming (Apps, On-demand, Podcasts) (MPABADAG), Information & Media Literacy (Evaluate Sources, Misinformation) (EDAAAAAI)

Keywords

• Children media ratings
• Digital literacy curriculum
• K-12 education resources
• AI safety assessments
• Family media guidance

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership and Donations: Individual membership subscriptions and charitable donations from supporters constitute the primary revenue stream, with the organization noting that 100% of membership fees support their independent work.
2. Foundation and Philanthropic Grants: Generous foundation partners including Andrew Carnegie Foundation, Gates Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Walton Family Foundation, and others provide major funding support for mission-driven programs.
3. Corporate Partnerships: Partnerships with technology companies (Apple, AT&T, TikTok, Aura), media platforms (Comcast, Charter, Cox), and educational technology providers (Nearpod, Infosec) provide operational and programmatic support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels10 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Common Sense Media is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit that produces expert, age-based ratings and reviews of movies, TV shows, books, games, and apps, delivers a free K-12 digital literacy and citizenship curriculum to educators, conducts research on children's media use and AI safety, and advocates for child-protective technology policies. Its offerings are accessed through membership subscriptions, embedded media-platform integrations, and partnerships with schools and foundations.

Product overview

Common Sense Media operates as a nonprofit organization with three interconnected offerings: (1) the Media Ratings & Reviews Platform providing age-based ratings and expert reviews for movies, TV, books, games, and apps; (2) Common Sense Education, a K-12 digital literacy platform featuring the K-12 Digital Literacy & Well-Being Curriculum, AI Literacy Lessons for Grades 6-12, and professional development courses including AI Basics for K-12 Teachers; and (3) the Youth AI Safety Institute providing research and risk assessments for AI systems. Additional offerings include the Privacy Program with evaluations and Privacy Seal certification, Family Engagement Resources including workshops and toolkits, and Advocacy Programs for policy reform. The organization reaches 124 million households, 1.4 million educators, and has secured $80 billion in community broadband funding.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Youth AI Safety Institute: An institute combining rigorous research, clear standards, and independent evaluation to ensure AI systems are designed with childhood development in mind

Products and services

• Media Ratings & Reviews Platform Flagship platform providing age-based ratings and expert reviews for movies, TV shows, books, games, apps, and other media to help families make informed decisions about content consumption.
• Common Sense Education K-12 digital literacy and citizenship platform providing standards-aligned lesson plans, teaching strategies, professional development resources, and classroom tools for educators at no cost.
• K-12 Digital Literacy & Well-Being Curriculum Comprehensive curriculum with K-8 and 9-12 components covering digital citizenship topics including privacy, safety, digital footprint, media literacy, cyberbullying, and healthy technology habits.
• AI Literacy Lessons for Grades 6-12 A collection of interactive lessons focused on AI literacy for middle and high school students, covering recommendation algorithms, AI bias, and responsible AI use.
• AI Basics for K-12 Teachers A professional development course designed to help K-12 educators understand AI fundamentals and learn strategies for teaching AI concepts safely and effectively in classrooms.
• Youth AI Safety Institute A research and standards body combining rigorous research, clear standards, and independent evaluation to ensure AI systems are designed with childhood development in mind.
• AI Risk Assessments Expert evaluations of AI systems and products assessing risks to children, including analysis of AI features in platforms like Google Search AI Overview.
• Privacy Program (with Common Sense Privacy Seal) Initiative offering privacy evaluations of educational technology products and the Common Sense Privacy Seal certification for products meeting privacy standards.
• Digital Citizenship Quizzes Auto-graded quizzes with 4-6 questions in varied formats (multiple choice, drag-and-drop) integrated with Google Classroom for delivery and reporting; includes class and individual student reports for teachers.
• Family Engagement Resources Resources for families including early-childhood and middle/high school workshops, AI Literacy Toolkit for Families, Carpool Conversations, and Parent Webinars to support digital literacy at home.
• Research Publications Research reports on children's media use, AI impact on youth, and family technology habits including studies on teens and AI, pornography/deepfakes, and EU family attitudes on AI.
• Advocacy Programs Policy advocacy initiatives pushing for laws protecting children, holding tech companies accountable, and putting children's well-being at the center of digital policy.

Quantifiable outcome

• 124 million households reached with ratings and guidance
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• ApplecoreTechnology or IntegrationApple TV integration displaying Common Sense Media ratings and reviews of movies and TV shows across Apple TV experiences, including dedicated Common Sense Media room with curated collections for families. Apple Education partnership provides digital citizenship resources through Apple Education Community.
• Charter Communications (Spectrum)coreTechnology or IntegrationCommon Sense Media ratings and reviews of movies and TV shows available in the Spectrum TV app and across Xumo platforms, reaching Charter's second-largest cable operator customer base.
• ComcastcoreTechnology or IntegrationRatings and reviews accessible within Comcast's X1, Xumo Streambox, Xumo TV platforms, Xfinity.com, and Xfinity Stream app. Partnership extends to syndication partners including Cox, Rogers, Shaw, and Videotron.
• CoxcoreTechnology or IntegrationRatings integrated in Cox's Contour 2 platform. Parental guidance resources power Cox Digital Academy as part of low-cost broadband program Connect2Compete.
• Fandango at HomemajorTechnology or IntegrationCommon Sense Media ratings and reviews integrated into Fandango at Home streaming service with dedicated hub and curated collections for families.
• NearpodcoreTechnology or IntegrationCommon Sense K-12 curriculum available as ready-to-teach interactive lessons through Nearpod's 21st Century Readiness Program for classrooms, schools, and districts, providing real-time checks for understanding.
• Project Zero (Harvard Graduate School of Education)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundational partner since 2007 when Common Sense first developed Digital Citizenship Curriculum. Current initiative 'Educating with Digital Dilemmas' researches ethical tensions of connected life and shapes curriculum development.
• AT&TcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on digital citizenship initiatives including 'Digital Connections' video series for tweens, teens, and parents developed with AT&T and Public Library Association. Resources available on AT&T ScreenReady and Secure Family app.
• TikTokcoreTechnology or IntegrationCommon Sense Media provides expert child development-informed human content evaluation for TikTok's Under 13 experience with additional safeguards and privacy protections. Partnership expanded to TikTok's STEM feed for educational value review.
• Aura (Aura Parents)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration to bring families meaningful insights into kids' online behaviors. Aura's kids' online safety and wellbeing app combines traditional parental controls with new safety features developed with clinical psychologists, sharing Common Sense insights.
• Infosec Institute (Cengage Group)majorTechnology or IntegrationLaunched 'K-12 Digital Citizenship' series within Infosec IQ security awareness training platform, bringing age-appropriate cybersecurity, privacy, and digital citizenship curriculum to classrooms nationwide.
• PlexmajorTechnology or IntegrationCommon Sense Media age and quality ratings displayed on Plex title detail pages, with additional review details including ratings rationale and parent/kid reviews for Plex Pass subscribers.
• TargetmajorTechnology or IntegrationParental Guide tab on Target.com product detail pages for books, DVDs, and video games. Editorial picks and curated destinations featured across Target.com and in select stores.
• VIZIOmajorTechnology or IntegrationCommon Sense Media ratings and reviews available across VIZIO OS and VIZIO WatchFree+ platforms for HDTV users.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Family Online Safety Institute: Nonprofit focused on helping parents and caregivers keep kids safe online through research, resources, and industry collaboration; the most direct US peer in mission, audience (parents/families), and advocacy posture.
• ConnectSafely: Nonprofit providing education, resources, and policy work on safe, responsible technology use for youth; highly comparable as a fellow parent/educator-facing safety nonprofit with advocacy component.
• iKeepSafe: Nonprofit delivering digital citizenship curriculum, privacy evaluations, and a privacy certification program for ed-tech - directly comparable product mix (curriculum + privacy seal) and audience.

Emerging players

• CyberWise: Digital literacy nonprofit offering no-cost programs for parents, educators, and youth on online safety and digital citizenship - smaller in scale but overlapping audience and curriculum offerings.

Regional players

• Internet Matters: UK-based nonprofit helping families and educators navigate online safety, with similar mission, hub-style resource model, and policy advocacy focus - the closest international analog, especially given Common Sense's UK subsidiary.
• Childnet International: UK charity working with children, families, schools, and policymakers on online safety and digital citizenship; comparable in education-plus-advocacy positioning and target audiences (children, educators, families).

Broad incumbents

• National PTA: Largest US child-advocacy organization for parents and families; overlapping family/educator audience, policy advocacy on child welfare, and education resource distribution, though broader in scope.
• PBS Kids: Public-media children's brand providing educational content and parental guidance resources, with similar media-evaluation role for families; broader entertainment focus but direct overlap on family-facing content guidance.

Others

• Common Sense Education (sister brand): Common Sense Media's own K-12 division; not a true peer, but the brand sibling that anchors the educator side of the business and serves as the structural template for any spin-out.
• NetSmartz: NCMEC program delivering free digital citizenship and online safety education for kids and teens; adjacent thematically as a sibling safety-education resource distributed through schools.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/commonsenseorg
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/CommonSenseMedia/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/commonsensemedia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/common-sense-media
• Instagraminstagram.com/commonsenseorg
• Pinterestpinterest.com/commonsensemedia
• TikToktiktok.com/@commonsenseorg

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about common sense