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One Tree Hill

(Rated TV-PG, Drama, Where to watch: CW, DVD, Download)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 14, age appropriate for kids over 16; suggested age 14.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Teen soap has all the questionable ingredients.

updated 07.04.08

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–16

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Little diversity with white main characters; money heavily influences one's station both in school and in life; lower-income characters are especially virtuous; teen sarcasm; characters often trade insults.
  • Violence:

    High school boys get in fistfights and shove each other on the basketball court.
  • Sex:

    Nothing explicit shown, but some promiscuity/reckless sexual activity implied. Episodes have featured main teen characters buying condoms and whipped cream.
  • Language:

    Moderate profanity on the level of "ass" and "bitch."
  • Consumerism:

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

    Teens sometimes drink alcohol, nd drug use is a subject but not advocated: An athlete who took amphetamines collapsed, a high school girl at a college party was slipped a date rape drug.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About One Tree Hill

Parents need to know that this soapy drama includes frank discussions about sex and divorce -- which have both been a staple of the show. These subjects are treated very seriously, but their prevalence implies that most (if not all) teens have sex and come from broken homes. The female characters are sexually empowered -- some seek sex, others choose to wait.

Read our full review by Elliot Panek and Betsy Wallace

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the various subjects touched on throughout the series, inlcuding sex, the emotions and responsibilities associated with being in romantic and familial relationships, forgiveness, and how much slack you should allow a person in a relationship. What are some ways to repair relationships with friends? Do kids get the impression that this is a realistic portrayal of high school?
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Our Members Say

Have You Seen It? Review It!

  • What did you think about One Tree Hill?
  •  I think this show is

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See all 36 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer
    Age 14
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it 5.0

    MUST WATCH.

    I absolutely love this show. Yes, maybe the language and the sexual content isn't so good, but they aren't so bad. The people watching should know enough to not follow the bad examples. The story actually deals with things that matter, unlike other soaps like 90210 or Gossip Girl. Instead of dealing with just gossip, popularity, money and drugs, they deal with love, real love, family issues, and true friendships. I absolutely love One Tree Hill. :).

  2. Teen Reviewer
    Age 16
    Anonymous
    Lives in
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0

    IT IS THEEE BEST TV SHOW EVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    im 13-15 years old(i wont give my age) and i have been watching ONE TREE HILL since it started and i love it im litterally in love with it i never really thought it was not age appropriate although well this is what i think kids grow up earlier these days and i bet your kids know more than you think they do i think the age appropriate for one tree hill is probably 11 or 12 as kids would have already known about most of the subjects in ONE TREE HILL already at that age ONE TREE HILL is the best tv show out there it really resembles things that go on in everyday teenagers lives like being pregnant or whoes parents are divorcing or on drugs or having single parents i brought all of the boxsets at a point in my life where it was really hard for me and i could really relate to the characters in ONE TREE HILL there is nothing like ONE TREE HILL i think that everyone should know about it it is amazing i cant wait for season 6 !!!!!!!!!!!! I HOPE YOU FOUND THIS HELPFUL AS YOU CAN SEE I CAN EXPRESS HOW MUCH I LOVE ONE TREE HILL VERY WELL I NOW HAVE TO WRITE A REPORT ON ONE TREE HILL THANK YOU

  3. Teen Reviewer
    Age 16
    Lives in Washington
    I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give it 4.0

    Intense and Funny all at Once!

    This show is for older teens and up. it's a great show that has a lot of sexual content.

  4. Kid Reviewer
    Age 12
    Anonymous
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    LOVE IT

    i honestly love this show. its so relatable, all the talk about true love, growing up, and family issues. although its not completly realistic, its still really nice to have that feeling you can turn on the show, and almost feel like you can escape your life and become a resident of Tree Hill.

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

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