 | 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. |
Law & Order: SVU
- NBC, Syndicated
- Genre: Drama
Common Sense Media says
Grisly, sensationalized crimes; not meant for kids.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
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.
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?
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.
What families can talk about
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.
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
January 2, 2011
AGE
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.
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AGE
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.
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AGE
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
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AGE
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
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AGE
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.
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AGE
Educational in a sick way
Perfect to show kids who need a wake up call.
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thought-provoking and may stimulate useful debate with 16-17plus
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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.
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AGE
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.
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| TV rating: | TV-14 |
| Networks: | NBC, Syndicated |
| Cast: | Christopher Meloni, Mariska Hargitay, Richard Belzer |
| Genre: | Drama |
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