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Parents' Guide to

America's Most Wanted

By Beth Pratt, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Offers a valuable service, but it's awfully scary.

America's Most Wanted Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

age 14+

Based on 2 parent reviews

age 13+

Violent but we need to get these creeps off the streets

We must remember this service has also brought grieving families justice. Sometimes it involves the retelling of violent sexually explicit crime scenes. Sometimes we must rehash this stuff to make it clear that certain mollesters, murderers and other criminals are out there and are a considerable threat.
age 14+

14 and up.

America's most wanted is one of my favorite shows and good to watch but parents this show is only for teens they show violent graphic crime scenes that can be seen up close and can be very disturbing at times they also show how children are being rape and being film by showing child pornography some characters use foul language at times and some criminals are seen smoking and drinking.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (2 ):

While the show offers a valuable service (to date nearly 1000 criminals have been caught due to viewer tips), it's too frightening for kids (and some adults). The descriptions, re-enactments, and crime-scene photos are graphic, and the close-up photographs of the criminals are potentially nightmare-inducing. The show instills a fear that the criminal in question could be lurking right outside your door.

Need an example? One episode profiled a man who brutally murdered his wife then went on a crime spree in which he sexually molested several young girls. The whole sordid tale was re-enacted to drive home the horror of these crimes. Bottom line: Kids shouldn't be watching this show. Even adults who tune in may be left feeling unsettled -- and checking to make sure the door is locked.

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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