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.
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Law & Order: SVU
(Rated TV-14, Drama, Starring Christopher Meloni, Mariska Hargitay, Richard Belzer, Where to watch: NBC, Syndicated, DVD, Online)
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 16, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 16. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Grisly, sensationalized crimes; not meant for kids.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 16–18
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About Law & Order: SVU
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.
Read our full review by Liz Perle
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.
Our Members Say
See all 30 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title off for age 13 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
Defiinitely not for young teens and younger
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
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.
- I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Excessive consumerism
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
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.
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
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.
- I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
I love this show!!!!!!!!!!
I used to run out of the room whenever my mom would watch it, but now I watch it every day! It's purely flawless and I love the Fin and Munch relationship.
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Ratings at a Glance
| 75% | of parents say there are good role models |
| 50% | of parents say the sexual behavior isn't age appropriate |
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