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Homeland Security USA

(Rated TV-14, Reality TV, Starring Nadia Dajani, Where to watch: ABC, Online)

  • 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 15.

  • Is it any good?

    2.0

  • Common Sense says

    National security docu shares a little too much detail.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 15–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Lots of discussion about illegal activities, ranging from improper or false documentation to other, more serious crimes. Although racism isn't discussed, there are clear instances in which racial profiling (specifically targeting Arabs and Latinos) is part of the security precautions. Agents are both men and women and are primarily Caucasian.

  • Violence:

    Many agents carry guns. One incident shows guns being drawn on an innocent family. There are discussions of gang violence and weapon smuggling. September 11th and terrorism are mentioned frequently.

  • Sex:

    The smuggling of sex-trade workers is discussed.

  • Language:

    Words like "damn" and "hell" are audible, while occasional stronger profanity is bleeped. One detainee's obscene gesture is blurred.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Frequent discussions about drug smuggling. Illegal substances -- including marijuana, cocaine, and prescription pills -- and paraphernalia are shown. There are detailed discussions and images of the various ways these things can be smuggled across U.S. borders.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Homeland Security USA

Parents need to know that because this reality series follows Homeland Security agents working at immigration checkpoints, border crossings, customs offices, and airports, confiscation of illegal drugs is frequently visible, and there are lots of discussions about the different ways to smuggle illegal substances and, at times, undocumented workers. Guns are frequently visible; in one incident, agents drew their guns and threatened an innocent couple in front of their children (no shots were fired). Words like "hell" are sometimes heard; occasional stronger language is bleeped. While there are no discussions of racism, some of the security precautions taken are based on racial profiling.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how the media typically portrays threats to national security. How does that tie into issues like racial/ethnic stereotyping? Families can also discuss what wit would be like to work for the Department of Homeland Security. What kind of training must agents have in order to work for the department? What kind of dangers do people who work for its agencies face on the job?
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