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My So-Called Life

(Rated TV-PG, Drama, Starring Claire Danes, Jared Leto, Devon Odessa, Where to watch: The N, DVD, Online)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 15; suggested age 14.

  • Is it any good?

    5.0

  • Common Sense says

    Mature teen angst at its best.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–15

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Characters are fairly typical and relatable teens: They sneak out of the house, throw a party when parents are gone, date the "bad boy," try to mend old friendships and create new ones.

  • Violence:

    One character is physically abused; a gun is found in a school locker.

  • Sex:

    Casual sex, comments about having sex ("it will help [with schoolwork] if you have sex with me"), horny teenagers, a girl uses her boyfriend for sex but wants to break up with him, a daughter finds porn video in her parents' room, sex in a parked car is caught on tape.

  • Language:

    Very mild ("damn").

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Drinking and smoking. One character has an overdose.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About My So-Called Life

Parents need to know that this classic teen series tackles mature topics including casual sex, homosexuality (including a teen who struggles with coming out), drinking, drugs, child abuse, young love, infidelity, divorce, death, homelessness, and manipulation. Each storyline is handled in detail, delicately, and often with parental involvement.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about a wide range of issues, including fitting in at school, divorce, first crushes, homosexuality, drugs, parties, drinking, and dating. Each episode presents an opportunity to have a dialogue with your teen. Does making new friends mean losing your old ones? What are some unexpected things your teen has experienced in high school? Parents might use the series as an entry point to set some ground rules about curfew, sneaking out, and dating.
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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    dgm264
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Adult Reviewer
    Sara06Marie
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0

    Oh, how I long for the 90's.

    A show from the 90's. I was only little then and none of this concerned me. However, when I watch it now, I'd say that it's very real. Reality is lacking from television these days, so this is a good show.

    This review...

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

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