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Degrassi: The Next Generation

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 14.

  • Is it any good?

    5.0
  • Common Sense says

    Edgy series deals with teen issues frankly.

Themes in this show include:   dating/crushes, friendship, growing up, peer pressure

Why We Rated This on for Ages 14 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Issues are handled in a frank, responsible, realistic, and socially conscious manner. Questionable actions always have consequences.
  • Role models:

    The Degrassi teens are a flawed bunch, but they're also realistic and relatable, with concerns and problems (and triumphs) that real-life teens will definitely identify with. They also look more like real teens than other "teen" characters on TV.

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Violence isn't a normal part of the show and is never gratuitous -- so it makes an impact when it happens. In one season, a jealous boyfriend put his girlfriend into a coma. A gay character has been the object of gay bashing. Date rape is implied off-screen. In one episode, a character brought a gun to school, killing himself and injuring a classmate.
  • Sex:

    Frank talk about sexuality. Several teen characters have sex, usually with consequences. One main character got pregnant and had an abortion; two more have had to deal with another unplanned pregnancy. Another character contracted an STD through oral sex, and one gay character's coming out and first boyfriend provided a major plotline.
  • Language:

    Some profanity.
  • Consumerism:

    An after-school job at a movie theater has provided an opportunity for Coke promotion. Some episodes have featured Apple computers, MP3 players, and Triple Five Soul clothing.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Experimentation almost always has consequences. In an early episode, a character tried Ecstasy, with disastrous results. Another humiliated herself by showing up drunk to a school dance. Yet another blew a college interview because she was stoned.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Degrassi: The Next Generation was written by Caroline Gates-Shannon

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, realistic way. Some parents might be wary of this, particularly the episodes depicting teen sex, so they might want to preview the episodes before letting their kids watch them. Some episodes have a far heavier tone than others do, and the amount of controversial material varies widely from episode to episode. However, this series has a moral -- though not preachy -- heart and can ultimately be used as a teaching tool. Overall, it's among the best, most responsible series out there for teens. The content is edgy but both relevant and appropriate for the target audience, which is why we're giving it an "on" rating.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about what sets this show apart from other teen shows. Does that fact that the teens look like regular teens make it more realistic?
  • Manny's ongoing quest to become an actor might offer a good opportunity to discuss the pressures on young women to lose weight and get plastic surgery.
  • Parents , talk to your teens about the dangers of losing your inhibitions due to alcohol consumption -- and its potential repercussions.
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More on Degrassi: The Next Generation

What’s the Story?

Like its 1980s predecessors, Degrassi Junior High and Degrassi High, DEGRASSI: THE NEXT GENERATION follows a group of students in grades 8-12 at a Canadian community school. Over the course of its broadcast life, the show has tackled some tough issues as its core characters have matured from childish 7th and 8th graders to almost-adult 11th and 12th graders. Despite its focus on "issues," though, the show is consistently entertaining and thought- provoking rather than preachy and condescending.

Is It Any Good?

Excellently written and boasting a cast that both looks and acts like real kids, Degrassi: The Next Generation provides provocative, engaging, and socially conscious programming that will appeal to teens and their parents; the show even has a sizeable adult fan base as well. Fans of the first Degrassi series will be delighted to see classic characters like Spike, Snake, Caitlin, and Joey in the roles of parents and teachers in this latest incarnation.

Previous seasons of the series have dealt with such serious issues as a school shooting, which resulted in the shooter's death and serious injury to another student, and teenage pregnancy. Despite its focus on "issues," though, the show is consistently entertaining and thought- provoking rather than preachy and condescending.

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Exploding With Positive Messages

    I don't think a lot of people reviewing understand that the show is trying to send positive messages to teens going through similar situations. For example, in an episode where Peter does drugs, in the end it shows the consequences of it, and the character gets help. It is supposed to be saying NOT to do drugs, it is not encouraging them. This is a very touching show with positive messages infered. It takes you through the lives of various teens in the school Degrassi, and shows you their problems that real teens may have and how to get through/avoid them. I would recommend for a mature 12/13 year old that understand the situations, and also understand the fact that the show is not promoting the bad choices that some characters make. The show has many postive messages, interesting, touching, humorous, sad, and happy stories, and common situations among teens.

  2. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 17 and give it 1.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    To rate this show as "on" for 14 + is ridiculous, Degrassi paints the picture that teen sex is o.k. The February 5, 2010 episode shows a young high school girl opening her blouse to a boy, then kissing him as they stand backstage at a school event. I'm so tired of creators of teen shows cramming sexuality down viewers throats and sending the message that in order to be "grown-up" you need to be dealing with issues of sex. Can we get a grip? We should be teaching our teen girls that they don't have to "put put" just to get the guy.

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title off for age 10 and give it 1.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    Not approite at all

    I tried watching this show once and I turned it becuase it was inapproite. I cant belive this show would be made by Nick. This show should be on MTV or something but not Teen Nick.

  4. I rate this title off for age 6 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    7+

    these strong language like "cuss you" or "im gonna beat you cuss" lots of cussing should not be for children under 7

  5. Adult Reviewer
    I rate this title off for age 15 and give it 1.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    When a older gentleman (teacher) tells a girl to go after another girl that goes over the line. That is digusting.

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