Parents' Guide to

Gossip Girl

By Sierra Filucci, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Over-the-top teen soap mixes backstabbing with drugs, sex.

TV CW Drama 2007
Gossip Girl Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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age 13+

Based on 52 parent reviews

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addsreviews Adult
July 8, 2021
age 16+

Fantastic show, but not family friendly

I loved this show as a teenager! It had all the scandal, drama and entertainment I needed. But looking back, I would say this drama definitely is for the older teen crowd. There is sex (though not nearly as graphic as the new reboot or tv shows today) and there are more mature topics spoken about on the show like consent, drugs and LGBTQ issues. Personally I would leave this show for after the younger teens and tweens are in bed. It's great, it's engaging and I highly recommend the show for the 16 and up drama lovers. Blake Lively and Leighton Meester are flawless and their drama as Serena and Blair will NEVER leave you bored!
2 people found this helpful.
Aea090394
Aea090394 Adult
March 26, 2020
age 15+

Watch season 1 and you’ve seen it all

Serena always looks like she’s playing dumb, she never shows any emotions. After all the drama, heart break, curve balls, no body sheds a tear or shows any authentic emotions. It’s really disappointing. After I watched season 1, each season after that was a repeat. Serena and Blair get in a fight, Serena sleeps around and thinks she’s finally in love, Blair is plotting against everyone to sabotage to get what she wants and she always does.
1 person found this helpful.
See all 51 parent reviews

What's the Story?

GOSSIP GIRL, based on Cecily-von-Ziegesar's best-selling book series of the same name, follows the exploits of privileged young people from Manhattan's wealthy Upper East Side as they hook up, party, and play out adult-sized dramas. At the heart of the action are best friends Serena van der Woodsen (Blake Lively) and Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester). These two beautiful, rich girls rule the social scene, though they sometimes end of scheming against each other. Serena and Blair's friends, largely drawn from the elite private high school they attended in the early seasons of the show, include Dan (Penn Badgley) and Jenny Humphrey (Taylor Momsen), siblings with a more middle-class background, the extremely wealthy Chuck (Ed Westwick) and Nate (Chace Crawford), whose well-to-do family has fallen on hard times. The series is narrated by the titular Gossip Girl, an anonymous blogger who keeps track of all the popular kids' actions (secrets travel fast when delivered by mass text messages).

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (52):
Kids say (223):

This addictive adolescent drama is filled with kids, and grown-ups, gone bad. The sophisticated, label-savvy characters have no problem getting served martinis at fancy hotels or smoking marijuana during walks in the park. Their parents are rarely good influences, either, since many are self-centered and focused on their own problems. The mothers seem particularly jealous of their young daughters: One even tells her teen that she'll never be as beautiful or as thin as she is now, so she should make the most of this time.

It's all very titillating and addictive, but teens will surely get confusing messages from the show. Back-stabbing is portrayed as a social sport; characters spend money like crazy, drinking, smoking, and doing drugs in limos and clubs, and generally having a great time with few repercussions. It's not the real world, but it sure looks alluring. It's campy, soapy fun that may not be prudent viewing for tweens, and escapist schlock for teens. Were it presented with a wink and a laugh, it would be far more interesting; as it is, it takes itself a little too seriously.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the behavior portrayed in teen soaps like this. Parents, watch with your teens, and ask them if their friends are doing what these kids are.

  • Talk about safe sex and the consequences of drinking and hurting other people. Your conversations could lead to real revelations about your kids' lives or expectations.

  • Try to put your two cents in about what's realistic and what isn't. Ask your kids how the issues and conflicts on the show are similar to and different from those in real teens' lives. Who are the "good" characters, and what makes them different from the "bad" ones?

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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