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Sci-Trek

(Rated TV-G, Educational, Starring Michio Kaku, Where to watch: Discovery Channel)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 10, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 11.

  • Is it any good?

    2.0

  • Common Sense says

    Natural doom and gloom may be too frightening for kids.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 11–13

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    While the show features lots of scientists talking intelligently about each episode's topic, the narration tends to focus on the dangerous and deadly in a very exploitative way (for example, calling volcanoes "mass murderers").

  • Violence:

    While there's plenty of devastation to be seen -- villages ravaged by volcano erruptions, etc. -- there are almost no bodies. That said, the narration is relentless, repeating over and over how many people have been killed by the featured events/disasters, etc.

  • Sex:

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Sci-Trek

Parents need to know that this nature/science show's repeated images of dangerous events and the narration's relentless doom and gloom could be upsetting to young kids and tweens. It's true that many of the issues the series covers do have deadly potential, but the show's emphasis on that perspective is disproportionate.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how the show's narration compares to the images on the screen. Do you think it exaggerates how much deadly peril people are in? Why do you think the producers would choose to take that angle? Parents: Ask your kids to "do the math," so to speak. Can they figure out what the real risk is of dying in, say, a volcano erruption?
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