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.
Degrassi: The Next Generation
(Rated TV-PG, Drama, Starring Stacey Farber, Miriam McDonald, Mike Lobel, Where to watch: The N, DVD, Online)
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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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 
for Ages 14 and Up
The good stuff
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Role models:
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
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.
Our Members Say
See all 126 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- My highlights are:
Exploding With Positive Messages
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I rate this title on for age 17 and give it
- 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.
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I rate this title off for age 10 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- 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.
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I rate this title off for age 6 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
- Excessive consumerism
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- Negative role models
- My highlights are:
- 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
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I rate this title off for age 15 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- 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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Ratings at a Glance
| 57% | of parents say the sexual behavior isn't age appropriate |
| 43% | of parents don't feel there are good role models |
| 43% | of parents don't think the messages are positive |
| 43% | of parents say it has language their kids can't use |
| 29% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
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