 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Criminal Minds
Common Sense Media says
Formulaic crime drama’s violence is too grim for kids.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this crime drama fuels its weekly plots with realistic depictions of violence and often places characters in situations of severe emotional distress. There aren't a large number of on-screen deaths, and blood is usually kept to a minimum, but characters can be seen begging for their lives -- which can be equally troubling. Some of the killers are sexual predators, and characters sometimes use words like “damn” and “ass.”
What's the story?
CRIMINAL MINDS follows a team of FBI psychological profilers (led by Joe Mantegna) as they track down mentally disturbed serial killers. In their detective work, the profilers use some traditional methods, such as interviewing suspects and the now-omnipresent forensic techniques made popular by CSI. However, the hallmark of this group is their encyclopedic knowledge of the human mind and patterns of behavior. Through hard work, the use of new technology, and plenty of lateral thinking, they are able to read the minds of the killers and predict their next move.
Is it any good?
All of this should sound awfully familiar, as Criminal Minds is undeniably derivative of popular crime procedurals like CSI and Numb3rs. (And, somehow, it even inspired its own spinoff -- Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior, which airs right after it in back-to-back fashion.) Yet on Criminal Minds, the recurring characters we see week to week routinely fail to be compelling, thanks to underdeveloped relationships and dialogue that isn't much more than a pastiche of witless banter and hackneyed truisms.
Of course, mature viewers who crave the built-in suspense of the crime-drama formula and don’t mind the hopelessly wooden writing, might make Criminal Minds part of their weekly fix -- and that’s fine. Just know that it’s a weak brew compared to shows that do it much better.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the show’s level of violence as it relates to the content. How realistic are the program's storylines? Is violence exaggerated for the sake of dramatic tension, or is it merely reflective of the world we live in?
How does this show compare to other crime dramas on television? Does it do anything differently to distinguish itself from similar shows?
Why are crime dramas so popular, despite their grim depictions of modern criminals? What draws viewers into plots that are essentially designed to disturb them?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Dont let your kids watch it
Criminal minds is usually on late at night, its not on the air for kids. Parents should be able to control what their kids watch anyhow, so if you dont want your kids watching it then turn the channel dont take it off the air!
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AGE
Depends on the person
This show is for more mentally mature teenagers who know better than to take this show completely seriously. The show can get violent and bloody, but the characters are good. It makes you think.
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AGE
Oh my God, what is this author's problem?
This show's even better than Law and Order! And that's saying something.
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AGE
amazing for the mature and strong-stomach
CM is the best show on tv.(well crime show)it shows how real the world is.my little sis(8)always says"when i grow up ima be just like Reid"that show made me want to take a psychology class in college.the role models are great.ive been hooked since i was 9 and i cant wait until september 2010 for the new season!!!!(just dont watch if you have a weak stomach)i love kaykayd's review btw
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AGE
Not for Children!
I love the show. But in would never let my child watch it! Talk about taking away your child's innocence! Any parent who let's their child watch this is giving in to media pressures. I notice that most of the reviews are from children and teens. They should not be the ones to say! Parents, wake up!
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AGE
Deserves more than two stars!
I personally adore this show! The characters are just show awesome and the way they all work together to solve these crazy, shocking crimes is fantastic. Yes, Criminal Minds doesn't really hold back on the gore(tamer than what you'd see on CSI though). Probably the worst/goriest episodes for me were when they showed severed heads(eww) yeah...they don't hold back much, but if you look past that, it is NOT like most police procedurals out there! Instead of focusing on the crime, they focus on the Criminal. they get inside their mind and make a profile for them, to predict their next move and to save the next victim. Good mostly triumphs evil in this show, though unfortunately, it takes a few victims to make that happen. all in all, The team is full of highly intelligent people, who you will love!
Fantastic show, love it!
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AGE
great for tweens and up
I love this show have watched since it first came on when i was about 8 or 9 ( guessing from number of seasons) it is my favorite show and has amazing role models the women are strong and can handle themselves. The men act like gentle men. I want to be just like all of them when i am older when i go to college i already plan on becoming a criminologist thanks criminal minds ! although every other victim is sexually abused and maybe a little inapropriate unless your kids are like me and have been watching csi all their lives. but other than the rape and murder the show is smart a few jokes are thrown in there
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AGE
Smart, Clever, and educational?
This Show is a smart show, but can also be quite disturbing, several episodes, for realism, include children both as victims and offender, the murder portrayals can also be quite vicious. But the use of profiling the suspect to convict him/her is quite interesting and might spark an interest into psychology for your children, it is much better than most of the drivel on tv, mainly MTV, and this coming from a teenager. Verdict is great for teens, but not so much for younger ones, and can possibly spark an educational interest in your children.
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Kid, 11 years old
August 20, 2011
AGE
i love this show
I love this show and i hav been watching it since i was like 9. there are great people on this show and the victims are just people laying down with ketchup all over them. i am so addicted
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AGE
Extremely disturbing Show. Despite being very violent its still one of my favourite tv shows!
Many references to sexual intercourse and many decaputated bodies. Might not be suitable for those under 15.
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| TV rating: | TV-14 |
| Network: | CBS |
| Cast: | Joe Mantegna, Shemar Moore, Thomas Gibson |
| Genre: | Drama |
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