Parents' Guide to

Connected

By Ashley Moulton, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Super science docuseries encourages curiosity, skepticism.

TV Netflix Educational 2020
Connected Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

See all
age 10+

Based on 1 parent review

Kolbrkr
Kolbrkr Parent of 6 and 11-year-old
October 31, 2020
age 10+

Great for kids interested in science, but has some adult themes

My 11 year old and I watch this together. Although there are some more adult themes such as the Tinder dating app that made my son a little uncomfortable, the show is really interesting. My son loves animals, math and science and the host/creator makes some really interesting comparisons and bring up interesting topics. My son's favorite episode so far is the one about poop.

This title has:

Great messages
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

As host Latif Nasser tweeted about his new show, Connected is "basically if Bill Nye and Anthony Bourdain had an awkward Muslim baby." Nasser, a veteran science journalist of Radiolab podcast fame, now travels around the world to report on amazing science and technology stories. Each episode focuses on a different theme like "surveillance," "poop," and "digits." For each segment, Nasser interviews experts in various science disciplines. He then explains how seemingly different stories in science and technology are actually related. For example, in the "surveillance" episode, he compares human dating apps like Tinder to ZIMS, a computer program that helps zoologists find mating pairs between animals at different zoos. He also explains how facial recognition software is used in both pig farming and for human law enforcement.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (3 ):

This excellent science series will likely inspire a lot of excited "did you know..." conversations from teen viewers. The stories featured in Connected are incredibly fascinating and not ones teens are likely learning in science class. Beautiful cinematography and compelling storytelling make this show feel more like a travelogue than a procedural science documentary. Host Latif Nasser strikes a perfect balance of someone who is equally amazed about scientific advancements and wary of the unintended consequences they can sometimes bring. Most importantly, he explains why the science is very relevant to our everyday lives. Curious teenagers and adults will enjoy this great show.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how host Latif Nasser feels curious about the world around him. Did anything from the episode make you curious and inspire you to learn more?

  • Nasser also has a lot of skepticism around the way certain technologies are used. Did anything featured in the show make you feel uneasy? Why or why not?

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.

See all recommended tv lists

Related Topics

Want suggestions based on your streaming services? Get personalized recommendations

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate