Law & Order: SVU (NBC, Syndicated)

common sense media says

Grisly, sensationalized crimes; not meant for kids.


parents & educators say
  • 35% say there are positive role models
  • 26% say violence is an issue

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this is the most sensationalized of the Law & Order franchises. Graphic, unusual crimes are the norm, and victims are frequently women and children -- making the show potentially upsetting for younger teens coming into their own sexuality.

Positive messages: Good usually triumphs over evil, but not after highlighting the perpetration of unusual (and often extremely deviant) crimes.
Positive role models: The nature of the crimes often take a toll on the detectives and lawyers, which causes them to get too emotionally involved in cases and/or to making poor choices in their daily lives.
Violence: The show specifically focuses on violent (and often sensational) crimes that also involve sex in some way. There's some gunplay as well. Scenes can be graphic.
Sex: Many types of sexual crimes are perpetrated against women, kids, and other victims, including rape, incest, mutilation, and more.
Language: A few "damns," "asses," and "bastards."
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Drugs often figure prominently in the plotlines.

More on Law & Order: SVU

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about the natures of the crimes. Parents can reassure their children that these crimes, while very real, probably won't happen to them. But families can also discuss the psychological consequences of some of the show's frequent themes.

What's the story?

What's the story?

LAW & ORDER: SVU centers on "the elite squad of detectives who investigate sexually based crimes" -- known as the Special Victims Unit of the New York Police Department. Detective Elliot Stabler (played with barely restrained anger by Christopher Meloni) is the seasoned cop whose role is the tough-outside, tender-inside hero. His partner is Detective Olivia Benson (played brilliantly and sympathetically by Mariska Hargitay). One or the other always becomes emotionally involved with the hideous crime at hand. Captain Donald Cragen (Dann Florek, reprising the role he played on the first three seasons of Law & Order 1990-93), is the department chief overseeing the sardonic Detective John Munch (Richard Belzer). Munch's partner, Detective Odafin "Fin" Tutuola (played by rapper Ice-T), adds a percentage of "street cred" to the show. Assistant district attorney Casey Novak (Diane Neal), forensic psychiatrist George Huang (B.D. Wong), and medical examiner Melinda Warner (Tamara Tunie) round out the SVU crew.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Law & Order: SVU is the most disturbing of the NBC Law & Order franchises. Now entering its seventh season, this show is often more popular with younger kids because of the sensationalistic nature of the crimes involved. This show ramps up the natures of the crimes -- rapes, incest, dead infants -- and therefore is not for the faint at heart or the young.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-14
Network: NBC
Cast: Christopher Meloni, Mariska Hargitay, Richard Belzer
Genre: Drama
Where to watch: NBC

This review was written by Liz Perle
 
 

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What parents & educators say

14
Based on 23 parent & educator reviews:
  • 35% say there are positive role models
  • 26% say violence is an issue
  • 26% say sexual content is an issue

Most useful reviews by all members

 
Although the show does have a lot of grizzly crimes, it always has great quality performonces and positive messages. I also appreciate how the show honestly displays that although a crime may be solved, it doesn't guarantee a happy ending or that reconciliation will occur. I love SVU and find it interesting and engaging, but do understand concerns about its themes.

ccv23
teen, 16 years old
 
Great show! but not made for kids
This is a very entertaining but disturbing show. I started watching it when i was 10 and i enjoyed it but sometimes i would turn off the tv because it was too scary haha. This show was definetly not made for kids but i think teens can handle it. Almost every episode has educated and trained people bringing criminals to justice so it has some good messages.

KittehNomsU
teen, 15 years old
 
Educational in a sick way
Perfect to show kids who need a wake up call.

divadelight
parent of 16 year old
 
There was wrong infromation given out about Hepatitis C on a recent episode - It is not transmitted mainly by sexual contact or dirty needles - Main way to be infected is blood transfusions before 1993, sharing cocaine paraphanalia, body piercing, tatooing and dirty needles would be in this catagory, but according to my research it is not normally passed by sexual contact- if it were my husband would be infected and he is not - A infected pregnant woman usually gives birth to a child who is not infected - I don't think that misinformation is a good thing and writers should have done research - There are several types of Hepatitis - A, B, C, D, E, F, NONSPECIFIC AND AUTOIMUNE - I am not sure they really know what it is, but to just give out that kind of wrong information is not a good thing - Hep C is not Hep B

svufan
parent of 4 year old
 
OK for ages 9+ with a parent or other adult present
I think the show shows "real" problems and delivers positive messages for kids and teens; such as kidnapping, sexual abuse, child abuse, etc. I recommend to talk about these issues with your child before watching the show and watch it with him/her especially if they are younger. I also think it's important to teach kids about sexuality at a young age; just in an appropriate way and as they get older teach them about that sex generally should involve love and the difference between consensual and not consensual sex. Also, as far as language goes; kids here these terms already a lot on the streets and if they ask you what for example, SOB means just explain it to them and tell them that it's a bad word to use. This show can be very educational if watched correctly even by younger children.

ThreeDaysGrace ...
teen, 15 years old
 
Love this show! Watching the marathon right now!
Haha, I'm watching the marathon right now, Law and Order: SVU. I LOVE this show! "Iffy for ages 16-18"? Um, do you realize that 18 is an adult? Give me a BREAK. That's ridiculous. Perfectly fine. There's a rating on the show for a reason, TV14.

 
Defiinitely not for young teens and younger
I had been watching the original Law and Order since I was eight or nine without issue, so my usually very cautious mother thought it would be okay for me to watch SVU starting when I was about thirteen. That was a big mistake - I was an innocent kid who didn't know much about consensual sex but I was seeing all this stuff about rape and molestation - and it kind of skewered my views on sex. It kind of messed me up for several years. My Mom could tell I was upset by it and made me stop watching it, and I'm glad she did. Now I watch it every now and then, but it is disturbing even now! Even the original Law and Order is getting darker and darker - rent the first few seasons of the good old original on DVD instead of watching on TV if you have kids or young teens.

 
Parents relax its great show for mature teens 12+
The series is a way to show what really happens everyday and how justice is or isn't served in a rather entertaining and interesting way.the suspenseful series leaves you wanting to watch more and may inspire older kids to potentially work in that field of work.(kids should know that it takes hard work and a long time to become a detective and handle crimes like the actors o the show do, also inform them that they have their share in heavy paper work and there is much more to being a cop)alot of parents choose to smuggle there kids and not introduce them to things in the real world thinking that there protecting them. if your child is 12+ years old they should be allowed to watch this show because it helps kids understand how justice should be served and they should always inform the police about crimes. and for the people who think no one under 17 should watch you need to realize that kids can handle more than you think and there gonna learn these things either on the show or on the streets. 16 is ridiculously close to a young adult and should be exposed to these type of situations so they can understand how to handle it. i know a girl(age 16) who recently and intentionally had unprotected sex because she didnt know that she could get pregnant when she's not on her period.The result of a very overprotecive parent who tried to mold her daughter into the perfect child by not letting educating her about dangers, sex and its consequences if not 12, 14 year olds should be aloud to watch it i've been watching this since i was 11

tempagency
teen, 16 years old
 
Fantastic show!
I love this show!

 
Definitely shouldn't be viewed by kids under 17.
While it may have the great message that you can go to police for help, it also exposes the viewer to the lowest depravity imaginable. Developing minds/sexual attitutes should NOT be watching this. It could really mess some young people up.

amber_jeanne
teen, 15 years old
 
i think it's good for kids that are 13 and older
i LOVE this show because it helps know the laws and other things it's not just about the bad things but the good things it teaches us too. There are a lot of good role models in it and not all the people are bad. it proves that even in the worst of times cops can help make it better.

NCIS
teen, 16 years old
 
Good for those without sexual inhibitions.
With not much violence, language, or nudity, I cannot see why people complain about how bad it is. Granted, they may have vivid description of rape and sex crimes; but always in a negative manner. They mainly talk about natural bodily functions.

claudiaL
parent of 18 year old
 
thought-provoking and may stimulate useful debate with 16-17plus

margret2u
teen, 17 years old
 
Great for ages 14+ if they understand the concept/ A no-no for ages 13 and below!
I like this show a lot, however, it can be very strong and confusing if the child does not understand the concept or hiatus of the crime. It's a crime show and anyone under the age of 14 shouldn't be watching it with a parent beside them.

JacobyShaddix32
parent of 3 , 7 , 9 , 13 , and 15 year old
 
really good show
One of the best shows out there

Marshall78
parent of 3 , and 3 , 4 , 4 , 7 , 9 year old
 
My Husband And I Love This Show!
I love this show. My husband and I record every eipsode and watch them after our kids go to bed. I started watching this the year it started. If I watch a certian eisode and don't think that its to bad my older kids might get to watch it.

campcott4
kid, 13 years old
 
not good for younger kids, oldies should be fine.
I thik this show tops 'em all, but them I mean other cop shows like CSI and 24. Even Prison Break can't top this. But, too much rape and killing may be too much for children not mature enough, 8 and under, expect nightmares about sex and killing.

paige crumbley
kid, 10 years old
 
not for babies
law and order is about crimal justice

david.wallace
parent of 10 and 10 year old
 
A Show About Rape and other Sexual Offenses.
Law and Order: Special Victims Unit is a realistic portrayal of the investigation and persecution of heinous sexual offenses. It is simply not made for kids. The majority of the episodes are more intense than many rated R movies. The crimes include elder abuse, child abuse, disabled person abuse, men raping men, women raping men, men raping transgenders, and men raping women. There is a lot of raping. It isn't for kids, and some people are better off never watching this show. But it is a well made, suspenseful, crime thriller.

PEMDAS
teen, 14 years old
 
Not at all good for younger kids, but mfine for middle aged teens
I think the age for this show is way to high. The violence and swearing isn't more often than any other crime show. There is a lot more sex, but it's usually more talk about sex, rather than graphic scenes. I think Law and Order SVU is okay for anyone 14 or older, but I have been watching it since I was ten.

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ON: Content is 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