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Teen Cribs

(Rated TV-PG, Reality TV, Where to watch: MTV, Online)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 12, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 13.
  • Is it any good?

    2.0
  • Common Sense says

    Wealthy teens give tours of cushy digs they didn't pay for.

Themes in this show include:   materialism

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 13–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The overall message is "bigger is better." (And forget about living large -- most of these teens live huge.) Some teens even have their own private wings that essentially give them complete privacy from their parents. The show also implies that viewers should look up to and idolize these kids simply because they were fortunate enough to be born into wealthy families who can afford to shower them with lavish gifts and five-star accommodations.
  • Role models:

    While some of the teens seem genuinely grateful to have what they do, most are living the good life without much concern or awareness of the hard work that went into paying for it. 
  • Violence:

    Not an issue.
  • Sex:

    Some teens make references to entertaining members of the opposite sex in their bedrooms and other places their parents' eyes can't see, but it's not necessarily overtly sexual. Many teens also throw hot tub and pool parties that allow teen girls and boys to hang out in bikinis and board shorts.
  • Language:

    Most episodes are pretty clean, but in at least one case, a parent's use of "f--k" was bleeped.
  • Consumerism:

    Teens frequently mention luxury labels like Porsche, BMW, Rolls Royce, and Hummer. Most of their other prized possessions aren't attributed to a specific brand, but viewers will see logos for Xbox, as well as food manufacturers like Totino's Pizza Rolls, Edy's Ice Cream, and Hot Pockets.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Teen Cribs

Parents need to know that the expansive estates featured in this spin-off of MTV's hit Cribs will probably make the average home -- no matter how nice it is -- look bland by comparison. (After all, it's kind of tough to compete with a private beach and an indoor soccer field. ... ) As a result, teen viewers could get the impression that their ordinary stuff just isn't good enough. They'll also be confronted with plenty of luxury brands and see teens talking about lavish parties, high-end cookouts, and international travel as if they were everyday occurrences.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the message this show sends in regards to consumerism, money, and happiness. Do these teens' lives seem better just because they have expensive things? Would you trade your life for theirs, or are you happy with what you have?
  • Teens: Does watching this show make you want to make a lot of money when you grow up? How hard do you think you'd have to work to pay for the things you're seeing on screen?
  • Why are shows about people who live the good life so popular? Do you look up to these teens, or are you jealous of them?

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