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The Scariest Places on Earth

(Rated TV-PG, Reality TV, Starring Linda Blair, Where to watch: ABC Family)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 12, age appropriate for kids over 15; suggested age 13.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Ghost-hunting expeditions are genuinely spooky.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 13–15

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The witnesses seem sincere in their belief in what they see and hear, but the show gives no rebuttal time to experts who might have alternative explanations for the supposed paranormal activity.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    The series includes a "viewer discretion" warning because of its frightening nature. Little violence is shown, but witnesses describe terrifying physical encounters with ghosts, including feelings of being choked, suffocated, and pushed down. Others give graphic details of the reasons for the spirits' pain, including suicide, violent death ("they slit their throat from ear to ear"), torture (inserting ice picks into mental patients' brains for experimental medical treatments, for example), and execution. Witnesses are shown screaming in fear at the supposed sight of paranormal activity (objects moving, blurry presences, etc.).

  • Sex:

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Scariest Places on Earth

Parents need to know that this series features frequent scenes of implied paranormal activity, including shadowy human shapes, moving inanimate objects, and recordings of disembodied voices muttering things like "so much pain." There's lots of screaming, crying, and other signs of obvious emotional distress as novice investigators (a.k.a. normal people with insatiable curiosity) spend nights at reportedly haunted locations to look for evidence of ghosts. Many talk about feeling spirits try to choke or pull at them, and all are convincing in their fear. Violent acts like murder, suicide, and torture are described in detail. Clearly this series isn't for young kids (or sensitive older ones).

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about ghosts. Do you believe in them? Why or why not? Do you believe the investigators' claims? How come? How plausible is their evidence? Is it possible to believe what you see on TV in this high-tech age? How easily could evidence be fabricated? Why do you think this show doesn't include expert accounts from skeptics? Does the fact that it only presents one side change your opinion of its credibility? Why or why not?
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