Shows for Teens That Start Important Conversations

Last updated: July 17, 2025

Edgy series like Euphoria, which revolves around drug abuse and teen sexual relationships, has created a lot of buzz for the way it addresses complicated issues. However, it's gotten lots of parents and kids talking, which is always a good thing. For families looking to continue the conversation, Common Sense has lots of recommendations for shows that tackle big questions. The shows on this list aren't for every family, and some are more mature than others, but they all thoughtfully address issues such as mental health, sexual assault, racism, immigration, drug use, and other tough topics.