 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
If You Really Knew Me
- MTV
- Genre: Reality TV
Common Sense Media says
Sobering reality series digs deep to bust up stereotypes.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this unusually emotional reality series is aimed squarely at teens and the cliques that too often divide them. Students share deeply personal details about their lives with their peers, and the stories they tell are often painful: A now-bubbly student council leader reveals that she used to be suicidal, a stony outcast talks about her struggle with self-mutilation, etc. Although some of the topics the show tackles (which also include drugs, alcohol, sexual orientation, and violence) may be too upsetting for younger kids, it's a gold mine for strong role modeling and positive messages. Most of the teens on the show are so profoundly affected by the experience that they're inspired to change the way they treat everyone in their lives.
What's the story?
In MTV's docuseries IF YOU REALLY KNEW ME, high school students are asked to step out of their comfort zones and show their peers who they really are as part of an intensive, school-sponsored "Challenge Day" program that puts a whole new spin on reality TV. Each episode focuses on a different school's Challenge Day experience and shadows five diverse students as they go through the emotionally draining but eye-opening process. The result is a heart-wrenching yet ultimately rewarding journey for participants and viewers alike.
Is it any good?
Effective without being overly manipulative, If You Really Knew Me is a stand-out series for teens that actually uses the reality genre for good instead of evil -- and that's a welcome change in a world that has too many reality dating shows to count. Even better, it succeeds in staying palatable to a teenage audience that desperately needs its positive takeaways. Here's hoping they eat it up.
Some students spring into action and make concrete plans to make things better at school or at home. But it's hard to see a few newly energized faces come out of the experience with a hearfelt desire to change, only to watch them collide with painful realities that don't quite meet their rosy expectations. For example, when a broken-down girl reaches out to her emotionally distant dad across the dinner table to tell him how much she appreciates him, we want them to embrace and connect. Instead, he looks down awkwardly as she clings to his hand, and we can feel the distance spreading between them.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the Challenge Day experience and why it appears to be so successful on the show. Did it surprise you to see students sharing so many "secrets" they'd kept hidden from their peers? Do you think having the cameras there helped or hindered the process?
Teens: Are you personally affected by cliques at school? Have you ever been a victim of bullying, prejudice, or abuse? Have you ever been ashamed of the way you've treated someone else?
Do you think a workshop like this one could succeed at your school? What would be the hardest part about getting students to participate and share their feelings? Why is it sometimes so hard to be honest?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
It really inspires you.
I have only seen this show a couple of times but I found it very inspiring. It would be very hard for me to summon up the courage to talk about some of the things that these kids are discussing. You see your life in a whole new perspective, and it may cause you to do something about it. I would say 13+ only because of discussion topics: suicide, alcohol/drug addiction, sexual orientation, bullying, and other sometimes sensitive subjects.
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AGE
inspiration
i absolutly love this show i mean it really touches you
its hard to go without crying sometimes,
i mean i know that we all go through some bad spots some may be harder than others but we get through it. and yeah every school has mean girls, jocks, and all those cliques but we are all going through hard spots love this show!
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AGE
It is a very good show cause it toch in on the real life issues of a highs schoolers it could save a lot of kids from depression cause it can be the worst time in your life but when the come it is a day to e real and fari to every one but not just for a day but forever .It is a graet show to watch with your child you will cry.
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AGE
i think if you really knew me is a very emotional show and younger kids can't relate to it because it's real life and what teenagers go through every day and all little kids think about is fantasy land :D
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AGE
Great Show With Great Messages.
This show hits dead on on what it's like to be bullied and tortured in school. It doesn't sugar coat, and it gets down to the nitty gritty and seems like it actually makes a difference. A huge factor in why this is going on in schools is because a lot of the people on the staff just don't CARE. At all. and of course children can be quite cruel, obviously, but adults lead the actions of children.
This show also teaches kids not to assume about other's lives, and not take for granted for what they have. It's a great show in all.
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AGE
Great Messages
This show gives not only the people in the workshop, but also teens/tweens watching, a new perspective. It shows them that they are not alone and that they may not know as much as they think about the people around them. It teaches them to be more compassionate and empathetic. I know, because I have watched it before and it made me think- other kids are dealing with the same issues I am, maybe worse.
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AGE
i love this show. i wish challenge day could come to every high school in the nation if they could. that would be awesome. (:
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AGE
You have to see it!
I absolutely love this show. I've watched every episode so far! The messages are so inspiring and true. They cry, and you cry with them. It really makes you wonder what people are really like. People you would never think have problems do. I definately reccomend! :D
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AGE
Every school in the world should have this.
This is a great TV show, where kids share their experiences in life, and finally open up. There are so many positive messeges, and the people going around doing this are amazing rolemodels.
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AGE
If you really knew me....
You'd know how much I LOVE this show, its real, its interesting, and it touches your heart. This is something I've been hoping for, for us to open up and actually care about eachother. And that is something everyone is lacking, because when people are mean to eachother at school, or just plain ignore a person, they dont know what that kids life is like after school, and they dont want to know. I hope this thing goes to my school one day, we need it alot. These stories are true and sad, and highly recomended to be heard. We all have a story, all people need to do is listen.
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| TV rating: | TV-PG |
| Network: | MTV |
| Genre: | Reality TV |
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