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The Othersiders (Cartoon Network)

common sense media says

Teens' unaccompanied ghost hunts too scary for little kids.


parents & educators say
  • 55% say violence is an issue
  • 36% say sexual content is an issue

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that even though the ghost hunters on this show are young (they range in age from 13 to 16), there's nothing juvenile about their chilling experiences at the reportedly haunted buildings they visit. Young and sensitive viewers may get scared by scenes of apparent ghosts moving in front of a camera, eerie voices picked up by recording equipment, and the cast's palpable fear. Older tweens and teens may find this same content thrilling, but the show will leave parents with a lot of unanswered questions about the reality of the teens' supervision on their late-night quests.

Positive messages: The teens are passionate about what they do and very thorough in their research and investigation. Often they’re required to overcome their fears of the unknown to gather data. But all of this is overshadowed by the fact that either their parents are unconcerned about their midnight escapades, or the show is misrepresenting their supposed unchaperoned visits to these frightening locales.
Violence: No violence, but the teens discuss the presumed ghosts’ violent pasts, including instances of torture, murder, and death.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on The Othersiders

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about paranormal activity. Do you believe in ghosts? What evidence exists for and against the idea? Were you scared by any of the content of this show? What do you think the show's intent is? Families can also discuss how technology allows ghost hunters to conduct investigations. What equipment can they use to record images and sounds not heard or seen? Do you agree with the conclusions they draw from what they find?

What's the story?

What's the story?
In THE OTHERSIDERS, five young friends team up to investigate reports of paranormal activity. The teens -- who range in age from 13 to 16 -- select sites based on credible reports of ghostly encounters and, after some background research, head out for midnight investigations of their own. Using high-tech equipment like infrared cameras and voice enhancement software, the team gathers data onsite before returning to their lab to analyze it and determine the likelihood of an actual haunting.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Don't be misled into thinking this show is for kids of all ages because of the youthfulness of its cast or the fact that it airs on Cartoon Network. Flashes of glowing figures and creepy recordings of disembodied voices are no less chilling for being witnessed by older tweens and teens rather than adults. The show's content is intense, and the teens are visibly frightened by what they experience. In other words, The Othersiders isn't a show for young kids, and sensitive viewers of any age might get the creeps, too.

What's more, the show's premise is a bit disturbing, as it suggests that thee five teens -- one of whom is only 13 -- are heading off unaccompanied on these late-night ghost hunts in abandoned buildings, junkyards, and the like. And, disturbing as that idea is, the alternative -- that the show misrepresents the teens' autonomy during the investigations -- sends just as many negative messages to young viewers about the reality of shows like this one. While the team's investigations are intriguing and their conclusions will certainly make you wonder about the spiritual world, this show is best reserved for teens and adults who can handle its content.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-PG
Network: Cartoon Network
Genre: Reality TV
Where to watch: Cartoon Network

This review was written by Emily Ashby
 
 

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What parents & educators say

12
Based on 11 parent & educator reviews:
  • 55% say violence is an issue
  • 36% say sexual content is an issue
  • 36% say language is an issue

Most useful reviews by all members

MarinFan
parent
 
GORY, SEXY, CREEPY, FOUL, ULTRA-VIOLENT
This should be TV-MA/TV-MA-V, the teens say "s--t" "a--" "holy crap" "damnit" "f--k" etc. the teens make out in random areas and ARE BY THEMSELF, HELLO STUFF LIKE ZOMBIE S--T RANDOMLY FALLS AND BLOOD SPLATTERS. Not for under 15

Miku
teen, 14 years old
 
Exciting for tweens, but obvious for older teens.
I like the show, but the people they picked as "the five friends" have different ages all over the place. Tweens (Like me) and teens will realize these people are actually hired because I know most tweens and teens would be friends with people their age or a year younger than that. I enjoy this show, and the experiences in it. Younger kids shouldn't be watching this. But, please Cartoon Network. Reality shows? Didn't you notice the name of your channel is CARTOON Network?

the no bull zone
teen, 15 years old
 
eh
i hate this show cause i dont like scary stuff but if your into horror stuff this show is for you

epicpanda13
teen, 14 years old
 
Overall a great show.
I see how it could be a little bit scary for younger kids, but it teaches kids to face their fears. I really like this show, and wish that they still showed it! I think that they did a bad review of it on this website...

benbrm
kid, 12 years old
 
too scary for under 8
I watch this show WEEKLY and sometimes its scary sometimes the places are crap. I LOVE this show but may be scary for some

brak9867
kid, 12 years old
 
10+ NO litthe kids it scared my 4 year old sister
I LOVE THIS SHOW! THEY ARE INVESTIGATING A MANSION TONIGHT AT 8PM!

Blakathy96
teen, 15 years old
 
Teens only is my opinion.
I personally would reccomend this program to some of my braver friends, but I'd say that this show is not suitable for children below 13 years. And as a side note, what happened to CARTOON Network showing cartoons, eh? I appreciate that thay are showing this program, but maybe it's time to leave Nickelodeon do this kind of stuff. It's great and all but not what i would think as a 'CARTOON Network' 'show'

Vaneskera
teen, 14 years old
 
It isn't fake.
Have any of you that have said its fake looked at the credits at the end of the show? If this was fake, it would have the actors names in it and a director. It doesn't.

dandy
parent of 11 year old
 
OMG!
Some episodes have words like (holy crap, what the heck, I can't see a d**n thing, and this is freakin cool)

whyamiusingthi ...
teen, 17 years old
 
Really? Children Ghostbusters? Really?
You have to be kidding me CN! You must be running out of even bad ideas! "Oh, let's make some 11 year olds go into a deserted airfeild and look for casper!" Really?

NorthernNights
teen, 15 years old
 
This is an awesome show! I love it, I believe in ghosts because once I lived in a sorta haunted house ( I'm serious! My dad doesn't believe me but its TRUE ) Anyways, this show may be scary for little kids, you know because of the ghost factor. But Its really exciting to see. The only thing I hate about it is when something excitings going to happen it breaks to commercial.

nickismytruelo ...
kid, 11 years old
 
i love that show!! i know ghost dont exsist but it is still exciting to watch!!

crap123
teen, 16 years old
 
it is tween crap
bad show

bettieboo8
kid, 11 years old
 
scary
the most scary thing ever!

foued abbes
parent of and 26 , 26 , 26 year old
 
xxl
merci

DDad
adult
 
Who's influencing your child's worldview?
Just to add a different note. Parents should be aware that the Cartoon Network is now in the business of shaping your child's beliefs about life after death. If you are religious or otherwise object to the idea of spirits inhabiting the earth, you may want to keep them away from this show, which follows a group of teens trying to determine if a building is "haunted". My 10-year-old daughter and I had a long talk about what our faith teaches about the spirit world, as well as how acting, editing, and producer manipulation can create some very convincing scenes. She's lost her enthusiasm for the show. I'd say that the Cartoon Network should stick to cartoons, but I've seen their cartoons.

basenjilove9
teen, 14 years old
 
Great!!
I LOVE this show, but I think that it should be for kids 11 and up because it is a little scary. But maybe that's just me; I'm scared of everything lol!

Skarz
teen, 16 years old
 
It's all downhill from here.
Why cartoon network, WHY!? Alright, I'm a thirteen year old girl, Disney wasn't my thing, so most of my childhood I watched Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon. Cartoon Network was my favorite, cause not only did they show some awesome cartoons, they had fun with it to! Does Cartoon Cartoon Fridays ring a bell to anyone? Of coarse, when the presidants of Cartoon Network switched, it immediantly went The network decay grave. After the success of Total drama island (Which is paroding the whole reality show crap.), the dude in charge of CN got confused and thought us kids wanted MORE Canadian shows (I don't Blame Canada.) and REALITY SOWS. Need I remind you this network is called CARTOON network? All I can say is, I hope these reality shows just fail. Please don't kill a part of my childhood any longer, formally cartoon network.

 
No kids 8 or younger, it'll scare my little brother.
Love it! I like a good TV show that can scare me! :) It also has some pretty amazing facts and I'm only nine and a half!

 
Awesome Show
i love it so much its very spooky but not better than Ghosthunters

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
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