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10 Things I Hate About You

(Rated TV-14, Comedy, Starring Larry Miller, Lindsey Shaw, Meaghan Jette Martin, Where to watch: ABC Family, Online)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 12, age appropriate for kids over 15; suggested age 13.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    High school-set comedy raises important issues for teens.

Themes in this show include:   dating/crushes, family relationships, peer pressure

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 13–15

The good stuff

  • Role models:

    While Bianca admits it’s worth giving up her dignity for social acceptance, Kat sticks to her personal code and has unwavering self-esteem (even though her strong will makes her stand-offish). The girls’ over-protective father is a sympathetic character whose concern for his daughters is understandable in light of his affection for them. But teachers are cast as weak and, in at least one case, willing to give in to Chastity’s demands because of her father’s standing on the school board.
 

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The series has a strong focus on high school social structure, and many characters are preoccupied with popularity and how to achieve it (though others apparently couldn't care less). Still, although characters like "mean girl" Chastity use popularity as an excuse to be cruel, others stand up for themselves, and there's a strong father-daughter relationship at the heart of the series.
  • Violence:

    Not an issue.
  • Sex:

    Many references to sex. Teens have romantic relationships, and there's a good bit of passionate kissing and even some mild groping. Kat and Bianca’s dad often warns them of boys’ not-so-innocent intentions with warnings like “boys want to put a baby in you.” Teens toss around terms like “getting laid” and discuss girls’ appearances and cup sizes. Bianca alludes to Kat’s previous sexual experience. 
  • Language:

    Occasional use of words like “ass” and “bitch." 
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Teen drinking is implied at parties, but nothing is shown, and the drink is said to be non-alcoholic beer. 
 

What Parents Need to Know

About 10 Things I Hate About You

Parents need to know that this teen-targeted series based on the same-named 1999 film includes frequent references to sex -- including comments about girls’ bodies, use of terms like “get laid,” passionate kissing, and mention of teens’ sexual experience. Popularity is a key concern, and one central character uses her social status to terrorize all but her closest friends, and her behavior goes unchecked by her peers and adults. Expect some intermittent strong language (“bitch,” “ass,” and the like) and references to teen drinking (though nothing is shown). Kat and Bianca’s father -- who never wavers in his protection of them,  even when they defy him -- is the show's strongest positive role model.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about social pressure. Teens: How have your experiences compared to those of the show's characters? What pressures have you faced? How did you respond to them?
  • You can also discuss how the show portrays teen sexuality. How does seeing and hearing about sex on TV impact real teens' behavior?
  • How does the series compare to the movie? How have the issues that teens face changed since it came out? Do you think this series offers an accurate, realistic view of current teen life?

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Our Members Say

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See all 14 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Negative message

    A funny teen show!

    This is a fun show for teens 13 and up. Bianca is a social butterfly and will do anything to be popular. Kat, her older and strongminded older sister is very different. She has very strong opinions, and is strong minded. The show features some swears, b----,a--,crap,sucks but the language is better in the show than the movie. Also, some kissing, but most of the content is high school humor and sexually. They also talk about sex. The girls father is very overprotective which can be good or bad. Overall, 10 things I hate about you is a funny show for teens 13-14 and up.

  2. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    Good for tweens and up, not for younger childeren

    I think I've seen a clip of it where Kat was drunk, I don't think that's very good, the sexual stuff seems ok, girls get pregnant, (it was their choice to do that), and people kiss all the time.

  3. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Depends.

    I like the show. They do have somethings that aren't okay for younger kids to hear but that depeneds on the kids watching the show and how they can handle it. They do show how to handle some problems well and how growing up really is now a days.

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 3.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Great Teen Show

    Kat isn't afraid to be herself, no matter what others say.

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it 3.0

    I love it!!!!

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