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Lost Tapes

(Rated TV-14, Reality TV, Where to watch: Animal Planet, DVD)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 12, age appropriate for kids over 15; suggested age 13.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Violent, scary "true stories" aren't for young kids, tweens.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 13–15

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The show implies that the (fictitious) video footage it uses is factual evidence of the existence of unknown creatures, which sends negative messages to younger viewers about the reliability of the media’s messages.

  • Role models:

    The people featured in the supposedly truthful videos play along with the idea that the filmed "encounters" really happened, which doesn't set a stellar example for kids.

  • Violence:

    Vicious encounters with mysterious creatures are usually blurred or obscured by objects or darkness, but there’s lots of screaming and obvious fear on the part of the victims, and injuries like cuts, scrapes, and bruises are shown. In many segments, witnesses make assumptions about victims’ violent deaths, and blood spatter or other evidence is shown. Often people use weapons like guns or knives for protection. Fictitious or not, the show’s content is often extremely disturbing, as in cases that replay video filmed by a supposed victim just before his or her death.

  • Sex:

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    Sporadic use of “hell” and “damn,” as well as milder phrases like “oh my God” and “crap.”

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Lost Tapes

Parents need to know that this intense series -- which uses fictitious video footage of violent encounters with cryptozoological creatures like werewolves to imply that they really exist -- definitely isn’t for young kids or tweens. The content is suspenseful and may be disturbing even for sensitive older viewers. Victims are shown bloodied and battered from supposed run-ins with the creatures; some exchanges even end in death -- which isn’t shown but is discussed in detail by the narrator. There's also some sporadic cursing (“hell” and “damn,” mostly).

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the message this show sends about the reliability of the media. How much of what we see on TV is believable? How can the media skew our perception of celebrities, politicians, and other leaders?  
  • How do scientists go about proving or disproving theories? What steps must they take to gather and analyze evidence? What evidence exists for or against some of the creatures discussed in this show?
  • Did you like this series? Was the concept new to you? What, if any, of the content had an educational aspect?
Tools and tips that can help

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    Coral reef
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    I have heard about this and wow! The description was nothing like it! blood and guts and gore are a huge problem, I am not kidding! This is not for kids or tweens! Trust me, I saw it and I am ten!

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    9001
    I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language

    Mature teenagers+.

    I haven't seen this show yet, but I plan on watching it soon. Judging by the commercials for it, it's extremely scary, graphic, and violent.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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