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Hollyoaks

(Rated TV-14, Drama, Starring Louis Tamone, Connie Powney, Matt Milburn, Where to watch: BBC America)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 15, age appropriate for kids over 99; suggested age 15.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    UK soap's addictive but sends teens iffy messages.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 15–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Most of the characters are less-than-admirable models of teen and young adult life. In general, they drink too much, sleep around too often, and manipulate people for their own gain. Serious issues like domestic abuse, sexuality, cults, murder, and rape (of both men and women) are explored within the ever-changing plot.

  • Violence:

    Fistfights are common and often result in bruises and cuts. Storylines often include violence like arson, murder, rape, suicide, and domestic abuse -- some of which is shown.

  • Sex:

    Post-sex scenes show women in bras and underwear; couples make out and begin to undress each other. Sexual topics like adultery, unexpected pregnancy, and rape are common -- it is a soap opera, after all.

  • Language:

    Expletives like "bitch" are sporadic.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Teens and young adults drink in social settings and to relax at home. In many cases, characters express the desire to get others drunk so they can manipulate them in some way. Date rape drugs are used by guys to "get lucky."
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Hollyoaks

Parents need to know that the teen characters in this soapy British drama drink a lot, have plenty of sex, and -- despite the show's community college setting -- do very little academic work. Mature topics like date rape (of both men and women), serial murder, domestic abuse, cults, cross-dressing, and affairs between teachers and teen students are central to the plot. Plus, there's plenty of lying, cheating, and manipulating people's feelings. In short, there's not much here you'd want your kids to see ... but it's enjoyable enough for a guilty pleasure of your own.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how shows like this portray teen life. Do you think they give an accurate impression of how real teens live and act? Which aspects of the characters' relationships seem exaggerated? Teens: Do your friends or classmates act the way these characters do? Can you relate to the issues they face? Which ones? Do you think the series oversimplifies the way conflicts are resolved? Why do TV shows and movies tend to do that? How is this show different from American teen soaps?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    ROOSTERS
    Lives in Maryland
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

    WHY DO YOU ACT THE WAY YOU DO?

    I watch BBC America HollyOaks I thought the topics were really mature.The last show is coming on June 6,2008.I wish they had ended with all issues resolved and not leave the public wondering.I like the fact no one really made fun of anyone or made anyone feel uncomfortable why do you act the way you do thought out by teens.They needed a lot of time to define their behavior.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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