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Man-Made

(Rated TV-PG, Educational, Where to watch: National Geographic Channel)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 5, age appropriate for kids over 8; suggested age 8.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Learn about manufacturing from the inside out.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 8 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    This educational series casts light on the ingenuity involved in creating and processing everyday objects -- and in doing so encourages curiosity about the world.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Occasional war footage shows shooting and explosions.

  • Sexy stuff:

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    "Damn" is infrequent.

  • Consumerism:

    Brand names (Pepsi, Coors, etc.) are shown during the manufacturing process on featured items.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    In a segment about aluminum cans, some sport beer brands.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Man-Made

Parents need to know that curious tweens are sure to enjoy this intriguing documentary series' close-up look at how everyday objects are made. Viewers learn about collecting and refining natural resources, the engineering breakthroughs that speed up production, and the inner workings of massive machines that effortlessly churn out vast quantities of things. This is a great series for families to enjoy together, though little kids may zone out pretty quickly if they're not fascinated by machines.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the manufacturing processes seen in each episode. How have scientific advances affected how everyday items are made? How is the process easier than before? How has products' quality changed? What about their cost and uses? Or the quantity and types of human jobs associated with the production process? Is all of this good, bad, or both? Do you think less about how something was made or what went into creating it if it's cheap and easy to buy? How does the media play into that perception?
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