Tools for this page
Print

Dawson's Creek

(Rated TV-14, Drama, Starring Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, James Van Der Beek, Michelle Williams, Where to watch: The N, TBS, Syndicated, DVD, Download)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    (Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 15; suggested age 14.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Mature, talky teens ponder life's complexities.

updated 07.04.08

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–15

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Responsible, conscientious teens strive to have good relationships. Rebellion and teen angst is left to specific characters. Pacey has an affair with his teacher; occasional teen partying is featured. Deals with a gay teen coming out.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    The rare fist-fght or car crash is used to teach an overall lesson.
  • Sex:

    Sex is an ongoing, central issue throughout the series, and in its original run, the show had a bit of a racy reputation. Jen has a promiscuous past, and sex is taken seriously by all of the characters. Some episodes deal with teens losing their virginity. Both heterosexual and homosexual relationships are dealt with.
  • Language:

    Relatively mild on the swearing front: "damn," "hell," "bitch," "ass," etc. More significant is the constant dialogue among the characters to work out issues or express feelings in a mature, articulate manner.
  • Consumerism:

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

    Occasional teen drinking, but consequences and/or discipline is usually the result.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Dawson's Creek

Parents need to know that this series is all about teens who have a mature/adult vocabulary and general worldview (and quite the knack for pop culture references). As it follows them through high school and into college, the show deals with "typical" teen issues like sex, first loves, drinking, sexual orientation, depression, cheating in school, and parents' divorce. Of those, sex is probably one of the biggest themes; it's a frequent topic of discussion -- as well as action. Teens will likely find the characters' vocabulary, critical analysis, and maturity either inspiring or alienating.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how teens feel this series relates to more current teen programming. Are the experiences the characters go through still accurate or relatable? Can teens describe how they might handle one of the situations dealt with in the series? Do they feel like the characters on the show are realistic reflections of other teens they know? Do any of their friends talk like Dawson, Pacey, Joey, and Jen?
Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Enter your email address
I am over 13 years old
Tell us your child's age
Why we ask
Why we ask
Providing your kids' age allows us to give you personalized recommendations for your family on our site and in our weekly newsletter (coming soon) - so you get better information, faster.Your privacy is our priority.

You are now subscribed to the Common Sense weekly newsletter!

To write reviews and create a public profile, complete your account set-up here.

Our Members Say

Have You Seen It? Review It!

  • What did you think about Dawson's Creek?
  •  I think this show is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review
See all 2 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer
    Age 16
    Lives in Vermont
    I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 5.0

    Great coming of age show!!!

    To be completely honest i started watching this show when i was quite young like ten and i didn't really get all of the sex references however i really wouldn't say 14 and older. i would say 12 and older because it is not that bad and the show itself is really good

  2. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 5.0

Find TV reviews by title

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 0-9

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Site of the Week

    Girls for a Change

    Girls for a Change

    Nonprofit helps girls become catalysts for social change.

  • Issue Spotlight

    Cheating Via Chat?

    Cheating Via Chat?

    Is it OK for kids to do homework on Facebook?

  • Book of the Week

    Room One: A Mystery or Two

    Room One: A Mystery or Two

    Page-turner full of kind, thoughtful characters.

  • Pick of the Week

    Swing, Batter Batter

    Swing, Batter Batter

    Best baseball games for kids.

  • Sound Check

    Relapse

    Relapse

    Social value lost in glorification of pills, rape, murder.