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The FBI Files

(Rated TV-PG, Educational, Starring James Kallstrom, Anthony Call, Where to watch: Discovery Channel)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 14, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 14.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Gripping but graphic: Real crimes solved here.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–18

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The show's focus is on solving crimes and protecting innocent people. But criminal activity is described in detail.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Extreme violence described (murder, rape, assault, etc.), mild violence portrayed.
  • Sex:

    Some episodes deal with sexual crimes and related evidence.
  • Language:

    Occasional "hell" or "damn."
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Some descriptions and reenactments include smoking and drinking, though people never appear intoxicated.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The FBI Files

Parents need to know that this documentary-style series follows real criminal investigations. Crimes described and depicted include rape, murder, and kidnapping. Though the re-enactments aren't terribly graphic -- showing only some arguing and mild physical violence -- the descriptions offered by the narrator and during interviews are very vivid and explicit, including details like the duration of a sexual assault. Bones, teeth, blood, and other forensic evidence appear onscreen, though briefly and often not realistically.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about safety. How do teens and parents keep themselves safe from crime? Do shows like this make you feel more or less safe? How much is safety a state of mind rather than a quantifiable element? What can teens and parents do to reduce fear but increase safety? How does the crime-fighting depicted here differ from what you see in TV dramas like Without a Trace?

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    Mature teenagers.

    This is a great show, but it can be disturbing and adult.

  2. I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    I love this show. In my opinion, most episodes are 13+, but some of them are rather extreme and are 14+. It is a great show, though. Usually rated TV-PG, sometimes PG-LV, and I once saw it rated PG-DV. Sometimes it talks about adult oriented crimes.

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