Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! (Boomerang)

common sense media says

Scoob and the gang are on the case! Families AOK.


parents & educators say
  • 45% say violence is an issue
  • 36% say there are positive role models

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this innocent animated classic doesn't offer much in the way of controversy. Although kids (and parents!) of all ages are guaranteed to find this series entertaining, younger children might lose interest after awhile because the segments in each episode tend to be longer than those in contemporary cartoons. Some sensitive kids might find the show's mysteries and spooky villains a bit scary -- until they learn that all of the ghosts and beasties are fakes.

Educational value: You won't find any curriculum or thoughtful lessons here, but it's very entertaining.
Positive messages: The gang values teamwork and friendship, and Scooby and Shaggy usually manage to overcome their fears and stand up to the bad guys.
Positive role models: The members of the Scooby gang all have their flaws, but they work well togther as a team when it counts. Resourceful, smart Velma is a good role model for girls. Some now-dated ethnic stereotyping.
Violence & scariness: Ghosts, mummies, and other supernatural baddies are often believed to be the villains -- which could spook very young or sensitive kids. There are plenty of chase scenes, but no violent acts are ever shown, only suggested (and usually they're not real).
Sexy stuff: Not applicable.
Language: Just "zoinks."
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about problem-solving techniques. How can kids apply the characters' ideas and solutions to their own lives, at home and at school? How do Scooby and his friends use clues to solve a problem?
  • Why is it important to stick together in strange places? What would you do if you stumbled upon a mystery? Would you try to solve it yourself?

What's the story?

What's the story?
SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU! originally aired from 1969-1972 and has been on TV virtually non-stop ever since, entertaining generations of kid fans. The series follows the adventures of teen mystery solvers Shaggy (voiced by Casey Kasem), Daphne (Stefanianna Christopherson and later Heather North), Freddy (Frank Welker), Velma (Nicole Jaffe), and, of course, Shaggy's dog Scooby-Doo (Don Messick). Whether it's tracking down a missing museum curator or catching a dog-napper, the team always gets to the bottom of things.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
This is a smart, funny, adventurous series that will always be a classic. Some younger kids might not have the attention span to follow the story from start to finish. But Scooby-Doo is a great pick for kids in elementary school who want to feel older by watching a program about teenagers.

Well-rounded humor is by far the show's best quality: There's a laugh for everyone, and kids will love how Scooby always runs away from trouble. What's more, the questionable boy-girl behavior often seen in other shows (especially when the characters are teens) doesn't exist in Scooby-Doo. It's implied that Daphne and Freddy are boyfriend and girlfriend, but beyond the occasional tilt of the head or hand on the shoulder, there's nothing sexual or even remotely romantic about their behavior. Overall, interaction between the sexes is strictly platonic.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-G
Network: Boomerang
Cast: Casey Kasem, Don Messick, Frank Welker
Genre: Kids' Animation
Where to watch: Boomerang

This review was written by Deirdre Sheppard
 
 

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What parents & educators say

5
Based on 11 parent & educator reviews:
  • 45% say violence is an issue
  • 36% say there are positive role models

Most useful reviews by all members

fierce_mink_2000
parent of 7 year old
 
My kid loves Scooby Doo!
My only real problem (and it isn't enough to make my son stop watching) is a fairly high level of sexism in the shows. For example, Fred is constantly giving Daphne grief for being "danger-prone Daphne" whenever she falls into some trap. But he falls into traps as often as she does, and no one says a word to him about it. I know this is pretty much a reflection of the general attitude from the 70's, but if you watch more modern shows, there are more strong and stronger female parts. Even the more recent Scooby shows have less verbal sexism and Daphne and Velma stronger. Otherwise, we love the show. My kid likes more involved plots and he loves spooky stuff, but I refuse to let him watch most of the stuff he would prefer because of violence or bad social situations like drunkenness or smoking. Scooby fits the bill perfectly.

mamawannaknow
parent of 4 and 6 year old
 
I just, like, wish Shaggy, like, didn't have to, like, say, "like" all the time... Because now my 5 year old is, like, saying that all the time. Definitely too much for my 3 year old though he tries to convince me otherwise! I do think it provides positive examples of facing one's fears and challenging authority in useful ways.

hidude50968
parent of and 10 , 13 , 14 , 17 year old
 
Not that scary.
Good kids program!

jordan comming
teen, 16 years old
 
scooby doo it is really good
i think it is really good a really like it is it really funny

lalindal
parent of 6 year old
 
Good show, but some young kids may need you to watch, too
My son loves Scooby Doo and we enjoy being able to share one of the shows we enjoyed as kids with him. It can be a little scary for young kids, so you may want to watch it with them. And for those who are interested in strong female characters, I think Velma offers that. Daphne, not so much. Also, I think that kids like the fact that young people outsmart the adults. Overall, it's good clean fun.

Superadult8181
parent of 13 year old
 
Very scary, even for my 12 year old (some episodes). we only watch them during the day, but it is good fun and we love watching classics

rebma97
teen, 14 years old
 
Same old storyline, but I like it!
Scooby-Doo is one of those rare shows that has the same countinual plot but you like it. This is a family show. There are monsters, but I don't think they're scary, espeacially if you compare it to newer shows. Good role models (except Aaphne's a stereotypical dasmel in ditress). But otherwise it's fine.

Mommy Cris
parent of 6 year old
 

coolkat
kid, 13 years old
 
i watch this every moring
on tuesday morings i wake up early so i can watch scooby doo hong knog phoey spongebob fairly oddparents and the penguins of madgascar i wake up at 6;00 to this is one of the very ware good old shows thats out there

the Liberator
teen, 15 years old
 
Why does Common sense think this is 5+ ?
This is a nice very simple and age appropriate for just about anyone tv series (although some people think that the fake monsters are scary they are actually not at all scary) i say anyone literally anyone can watch this

Jordynd94
teen, 17 years old
 
I have loved Scooby Doo where are you since I was little little.

SecondOpinion
teen, 16 years old
 
argh... dying of boredom
I hate this show it's always the same thing. No variety, no difference, no nothing. In Jay Sherman's words, "IT STINKS!"

Wyattopia
teen, 14 years old
 
Good show, a bit creepy at times
This show is very entertaining. I still watch it. Good messages and plots that will entice even the simplest mind. Although I remember there were certain parts in episodes that would scare me so bad that I couldn't sleep. For example, in the pilot episode, there is a strangely drawn indian effigy that watched the gang as they walked past.

turbold
kid, 11 years old
 
I laughed
I'm very happy visited this site.

kaloren
parent of 5 and 10 year old
 
Great way to have a laugh and relax after the stress of a day at school
Although it may be too scary for some kids, my kids are loving watching an old childhood favorite. I love that there is no sexual content and it still seems grown up to my 8-year-old. Plus, I think she is figuring out how to battle her own nightmare monsters after just afew episodes.

 
more kid friendly version on case closed/detective conan
a more child friendly version of case closed/dective conan (which is very violent,bloody,and has lots of drinking/smoking) so if your kids want to see cased closed/detective conan (which plays late at night on FUNimation sometimes) just show them this.although i cannot understand the mysteries unlike case closed/detective conan

Dr. Weird
parent of 14 year old
 
Raggy.
Good fun. Great Shaggy.

Frylock
teen, 14 years old
 
Good, mostly wholesome family fun.
A good classic. It's slightly scary though.

Scream
kid, 12 years old
 
ON
This is the same as Whats New, Scooby Doo except newer.

mkalv
teen, 17 years old
 
Classic series still has it!
This classic show has something that the hole family will love. It has tons of laughs as the gang finds out who dunnit.

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About our rating system
ON: Content is 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