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
Is family TV a thing of the past?

Finding appropriate teen TV is a huge challenge. They're too old for kids' TV. and teen TV like Gossip Girl is too full of drinking and sexual activity that impressionable kids could do without -- especially during this turbulent time when their bodies are beginning puberty and their hormones kick in.

A good place to start: Shift the notion of family TV to shows you can watch and talk about together. It may be less about entertainment than finding "teachable moments."

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New TV Reviews for Early Teens (ages 12-14)

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Find My Family (ABC)
Parents Need to Know...

that this is one of those rare reality shows that parents and children can watch together without having to worry about strong language, violence, alcohol, and other iffy stuff. Because the series follows real people grappling with real ... read more

Age 12+
Find My Family
4
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Chef Academy (Bravo)
Parents Need to Know...

that, in general, this cooking reality show features positive role modeling, with participants putting their talents and energy toward a worthy goal: learning how to cook like a professional. That said, there's some bleeped swearing ... read more

Age 14+
Chef Academy
3
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Ghost Hunters Academy (Syfy)
Parents Need to Know...

that this entry in the popular Ghost Hunters franchise combines paranormal investigations with an elimination-style reality competition, giving it a little more edge than earlier series. The Atlantic Paranormal Society is looking for new ... read more

Age 12+
Ghost Hunters Academy
2
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Lopez Tonight (TBS)
Parents Need to Know...

that this late-night talk/comedy show hosted by comedian George Lopez supposedly celebrates diversity and cultural unity -- but Lopez frequently uses crude humor and racial/ethnic stereotyping to garner laughs. Expect frequent strong ... read more

Age 14+
Lopez Tonight
2
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V (ABC)
Parents Need to Know...

that this remake of the same-named 1980s miniseries centers on the arrival of a group of alien Visitors who claim to have only the best of intentions but actually have a hidden agenda. As their real goals become clear, a resistance ... read more

Age 14+
V
4
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Styl'd (MTV)
Parents Need to Know...

that this fashion-centric reality series about up-and-coming junior stylists features some catty, sneaky behavior as the stylists vie for a prized contract with an L.A. agency. But the cast members also learn lessons about ... read more

Age 13+
Styl'd
3
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Pit Bulls and Parolees (Animal Planet)
Parents Need to Know...

that this reality series -- which supports the rehabilitation and adoption of pit bulls -- offers positive messages about rescuing animals and giving people (and animals) a second chance at life. Aided by sometimes-graphic images, rescuer ... read more

Age 14+
Pit Bulls and Parolees
2
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Monica: Still Standing (BET)
Parents Need to Know...

that this reality series -- which follows R&B singer Monica as she records a new album and juggles her personal life -- has positive messages about family, motherhood, and being true to yourself. Compared to many reality shows, the ... read more

Age 13+
Monica: Still Standing
3
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White Collar (USA)
Parents Need to Know...

that this character-driven crime drama is a lot lighter on language, sex, and violence than you might expect, making it a solid choice for parents and teens. There's essentially no swearing -- it's rare to even hear a "hell" or ... read more

Age 13+
White Collar
4
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My Super Psycho Sweet 16 (MTV)
Parents Need to Know...

that this made-for-TV movie about a Sweet 16 birthday party gone horribly, horribly wrong directly targets teens but has iffy messages concerning bullying and revenge. Violent imagery runs the gamut from stabbings, slayings, and ... read more

Age 14+
My Super Psycho Sweet 16
2
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The Jeff Dunham Show (Comedy Central)
Parents Need to Know...

that this comedy series showcases the talents of ventriloquist Jeff Dunham and his collection of sidekick puppet characters, including a crotchety old man, a cadaverous terrorist skeleton, and a beer-swilling redneck. The jokes range from ... read more

Age 13+
The Jeff Dunham Show
2
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Ultimate Parkour Challenge (MTV)
Parents Need to Know...

that this reality competition series -- which showcases the underground sport of parkour -- includes some stunts that are potentially very dangerous (like leaping from rooftops). Sometimes they go awry, and the show makes it clear that ... read more

Age 12+
Ultimate Parkour Challenge
3
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Mary Queen of Shops (BBC America)
Parents Need to Know...

that, like many British shows, this reality import -- in which independent clothing businesses are made over with the help of fashion retail expert Mary Portas -- has its share of strong language (though the strongest words are bleeped ... read more

Age 14+
Mary Queen of Shops
3
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Nature, Inc. (Planet Green)
Parents Need to Know...

that this British series attempts to put a dollar value on the ways that nature sustains global economic growth. It takes a rather critical tone, suggesting that environmental and financial losses will continue to grow if policymakers ... read more

Age 12+
Nature, Inc.
3
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Alaska State Troopers (National Geographic Channel)
Parents Need to Know...

that this behind-the-scenes reality series about the Alaska State Troopers features lots of incidents that involve drinking -- sometimes way too much drinking. There are wild, drunken parties and extremely drunk people causing trouble, ... read more

Age 14+
Alaska State Troopers
3
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Gone Too Far (MTV)
Parents Need to Know...

that this series -- which follows Adam "DJ AM" Goldstein as he attempts to help drug addicts turn toward recovery -- is haunted by the reality of Goldstein's August 2009 death from a drug overdose. Because of that, the show ... read more

Age 14+
Gone Too Far
3
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Man Shops Globe (Sundance Channel)
Parents Need to Know...

that Man Shops Globe follows a buyer for the Anthropologie brand (which specializes in high-end women's clothing but also sells antique display pieces and specialty home items) on an extended shopping spree around the world. He wants to ... read more

Age 13+
Man Shops Globe
3
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Ghost Lab (Discovery Channel)
Parents Need to Know...

that the stars of this reality show hope to prove the existence of ghosts by visiting allegedly haunted houses with a variety of scientific gear. While there's nothing particularly age-inappropriate for older tweens (words stronger than ... read more

Age 12+
Ghost Lab
2
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Ally McBeal (Syndicated)
Parents Need to Know...

that this quirky lawyer dramedy is more about the characters' complicated lives than the cases they're working on. Those characters, while fun, aren't necessarily great role models, as many of them indulge in greedy, sexist, and selfish ... read more

Age 13+
Ally McBeal
4
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Sherri (Lifetime Television)
Parents Need to Know...

that this sitcom about a recently divorced woman who's attempting to rebuild her life has a good bit of sexual content (including references to “screwing”) and some iffy language (“damn," “suck," “ass”). Infidelity ... read more

Age 14+
Sherri
3
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Three Rivers (CBS)
Parents Need to Know...

that this dramatic medical series focuses on organ transplants. The message is decidedly pro-organ donation, but it does explore some of the reasons why people do not donate. Potential donors are shown losing their lives (guns and bloody ... read more

Age 13+
Three Rivers
3

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Common Sense Media's tv reviews and ratings for early teens are based on child development principles. We give you trustworthy information so you can pick what's best for your family. We may know media, but you're the expert on your kids.

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