Handpicked by Our Editors

True Jackson, VP
Age 8+
3

True Jackson, VP

Why We Recommend It

The aptly named heroine of this show demonstrates how to overcome obstacles by staying true to yourself.

Read our full review
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Industry TV ratings aren't much help when it comes to finding good family TV. It's hard to translate television ratings that look like a string of letters into good choices, and the TV ratings themselves aren't so reliable when you realize that the people who make the shows provide the ratings. So whatever your concern -- sex, violence, or all the ads -- our TV ratings help you find age-appropriate shows and manage the messages that our kids get from them.

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Common Sense Media's Top-Rated TV Shows

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The National Parks: America's Best Idea (PBS)
Parents Need to Know...

that this stunning historical look at America’s national parks from award-winning filmmaker Ken Burns is an excellent pick for families. More than just a collection of awe-inspiring sights, the series is also a gripping history lesson ... read more

Age 7+
The National Parks: America's Best Idea
5
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Nature's Most Amazing Events (Discovery Channel)
Parents Need to Know...

that this stunning natural history series from the producers of Planet Earth offers an inspiring glimpse into the global wildlife population's mostly unseen struggles for survival. Young and/or sensitive viewers may have a tough time with ... read more

Age 6+
Nature's Most Amazing Events
5
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Russell Simmons Presents Brave New Voices (HBO)
Parents Need to Know...

that this inspiring series spotlights teens who are writing and performing poetry as an alternative way of coping with difficult life issues like racism, illness, violence, and more. Some of the poems contain rough language (unblepeed, ... read more

Age 14+
Russell Simmons Presents Brave New Voices
5
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Fraggle Rock (HBO)
Parents Need to Know...

that mild cartoonish violence -- some of which doesn't seem to have immediate, negative consequences -- is the only thing that makes Jim Henson's classic 1980s kids' series iffy for the youngest viewers, who might get the idea that it's ... read more

Age 6+
Fraggle Rock
5
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Family Ties (NBC)
Parents Need to Know...

that this classic '80s sitcom centers on a strong family headed by loving parents who happily share domestic duties. Much of the show's humor stems from the personality differences among the family members, but despite many disagreements, ... read more

Age 8+
Family Ties
5
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Planet Earth (Discovery Channel)
Parents Need to Know...

that this flat-out gorgeous high-definition nature series uses cutting-edge film equipment to capture never-before-seen animal behavior from around the world. Viewers' respect for nature and wildlife will grow with every scene -- with the ... read more

Age 6+
Planet Earth
5
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Amazing Planet (National Geographic Channel)
Parents Need to Know...

that this spectacular nature series is educational programming at its best and is a great choice for families interested in exploring the world's wonders together. That said, very young viewers may be frightened by scenes of natural ... read more

Age 6+
Amazing Planet
5
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The Electric Company (1970s) (PBS)
Parents Need to Know...

that this classic '70s educational show is still a lot of fun, if a bit dated. For instance, some of the words that kids are taught (like "reducing exercises") don't really translate today. And in our PC culture, the word ... read more

Age 5+
The Electric Company (1970s)
5
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The Upside Down Show (Nickelodeon, Nick Jr.)
Parents Need to Know...

that this terrific series for preschoolers uses silly humor, imaginative play, language play, and whimsical storylines to stimulate young minds to be curious and creative and to think critically about the world around them. The show's ... read more

Age 3+
The Upside Down Show
5
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Jane and the Dragon (NBC, ION)
Parents Need to Know...

that this excellent computer-animated series is set in medieval England. Although the main character is supposed to become a lady-in-waiting, she decides that she wants to be a knight instead and befriends a dragon. Jane is a strong, ... read more

Age 6+
Jane and the Dragon
5
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Pee-wee's Playhouse (Cartoon Network)
Parents Need to Know...

that Pee-wee often behaves disagreeably. He is greedy (when friends come over with presents, he tells them to "fork it over!") and often rude to those who visit his playhouse. Some of the show's humor is a bit subversive, but that part ... read more

Age 5+
Pee-wee's Playhouse
5
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Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ocean Adventures (PBS)
Parents Need to Know...

that this series focuses on exploring and saving marine wildlife and habitats, but within that context there may be discussion and images of animal mating behavior and predators attacking their prey. Cousteau and his experts use research, ... read more

Age 5+
Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ocean Adventures
5
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Franklin (Nick Jr.)
Parents Need to Know...

that this show is highly recommended for preschoolers and has no worrisome content. The characters are good role models, and the pace and situations are age-appropriate. It's a rare show that celebrates the innocence of childhood. read more

Age 3+
Franklin
5
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NOVA (PBS)
Parents Need to Know...

that this award-winning science series explores many topics that may be considered controversial, from AIDS to human cloning and "safe" cigarettes. While the science is presented in easy-to-understand terms, younger kids may not be able ... read more

Age 10+
NOVA
5
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The Twilight Zone (Syfy, Syndicated)
Parents Need to Know...

that it might be hard to get kids to sit through episodes of this classic TV show. The complex, thoughtful scripts require viewers to pay attention, the pacing is much slower than just about anything on the air today (even some adults who ... read more

Age 10+
The Twilight Zone
5
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Degrassi: The Next Generation (The N)
Parents Need to Know...

that this series makes a habit of tackling big issues without sugar-coating them. From the start, the show has never shied away from depicting real-life teen issues like sex, drugs, school violence, and even mental disorders in a frank, ... read more

Age 14+
Degrassi: The Next Generation
5
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I Love Lucy (TV Land, Syndicated)
Parents Need to Know...

that this still-hilarious (and ubiquitous) 1950s comedy classic is entirely tame by contemporary standards, though some episodes do show the characters smoking or drinking. In one famous episode, Lucy gets more and more drunk as she films ... read more

Age 6+
I Love Lucy
5
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American Experience (PBS)
Parents Need to Know...

that this PBS documentary series is committed to educating the public about events in American history. To that end, episodes are commonly used as supplemental teaching tools in schools and other educational settings. Parents should also ... read more

Age 12+
American Experience
5
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Little Einsteins (Disney Channel)
Parents Need to Know...

that this show uses art, photography, and classical music as a colorful backdrop for the adventures of four precocious young friends. They make discoveries, work as a team, and use their special musical talents. They call upon the ... read more

Age 4+
Little Einsteins
5
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Growing Up... (Animal Planet)
Parents Need to Know...

that this very family-friendly program centers on the growth process of orphaned baby animals. Cute critters like grizzly bears and tiger cubs are raised in captivity in hopes that scientists will be able to learn more about the species ... read more

Age 5+
Growing Up...
5
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Antiques Roadshow (PBS)
Parents Need to Know...

that tweens who are interested in history will hopefully be hooked on this PBS gem, but the show will probably seem a bit dry for kids used to colorful, fast-paced cartoons (unfortunately). On occasion, the show features weapons and ... read more

Age 10+
Antiques Roadshow
5

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