Into current events? Well, this show is for you. Frontline is basically a newsmagazine that covers diverse topics. A few: the media industry and teenagers, the use of psychoactive drugs in children, so-called "safe" alternatives to cigarettes, the Iraq War, international healthcare systems, and our bad economy. The appropriateness of Frontline depends on the topic. Some episodes are benign but intense; others are not for anyone under 14. One example of an episode of this caliber is The Merchants of Cool, about the media industry's marketing tactics towards teens like me. Since the entire episode has to do with the teen media of that time period (late 2000-early 2001, I believe), the episode has some pretty offensive content, such as 3 f-bombs (rare for PBS) and some pretty disgusting sexual content. But it's not out of context. That's the thing; any Frontline episode with offensive content never takes it out of context. It's not supposed to titillate the viewer; it's supposed to inform them. Frontline is a good show, and I highly recommend it.
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Frontline
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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 12, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 14. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Hard-hitting news documentaries for teens and up.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 14 and Up
The good stuff
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Consumerism:
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What Parents Need to Know
About Frontline
Parents need to know that this news documentary series provides thoughtful, provocative insight on current events as a way of raising public awareness of contemporary issues. While the series overall is educational, some installments include in-depth interviews and video footage that may be too strong for younger viewers. (Of course, chances are that most kids -- including plenty of teens -- won't really be clamoring to see a news-focused series anyway.)
Read our full review by Melissa Camacho
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about current events. How do these events impact the way we look at the world? Who are the people involved in these events, and what are their roles? What specific issues do you feel strongly about? Families can also talk about the differences between broadcast news and public affairs documentaries. What do documentaries offer that news stories don't or can't? If you were asked to make a documentary about an important issue, what would it be about? Who would you interview? Parents can find more discussion topics in Frontline's Teacher Center.
Our Members Say
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
Just like any other PBS late-night series: excellent!
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
An excellent newsmagazine
PBS has been known to push the envelope with some shows. In 1999, an episode of "Frontline" aired containing the f-word, along with other strong language, and suggestive content. Only private parts were censored. That episode should've been rated TV-MA; an edited version could've received a TV-PG, but even that is pushing the envelope. New episodes are very tame compared to that 1999 episode and cover a wide variety of topics including the war in Iraq and the media industry. I highly recommend this for anyone interested in current events, though most teens won't watch unless it's for school.
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