Parents' Guide to

My Super Sweet 16

By Kate Pavao, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Not much to celebrate here; skip this party.

TV MTV, Style Network Reality TV 2005
My Super Sweet 16 Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

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age 16+

Based on 4 parent reviews

V O.
V O. Adult
May 20, 2012
age 18+

Terrible show. not worth watching even for a chuckle.

Why this show even exists is beyond me. However this is MTV, so it's to be expected. I feel, if you think MTV is doing this only for entertainment and not for any form of promotion, that's very naive. MTV is ALL about promotion. It always has been and it always will be. MTV banks off teenagers spending their parents money to mimic somewhat, if not exactly the type of behavior that's seen on this show. All these parents are insane and I can't believe they'd even show their faces with their kids acting like this. It would be one thing if it was about teens having lascivious parties. However they choose the most obnoxious teens they can find, to be laughed at and call it a tv show. Teens easily pick up the bullying-envy behavior from this show. They sit there laughing at the stupidity and craziness of these rich kids, but at the same time want to have what they have. What's the point of showing spoiled little brats throwing tantrums and then getting whatever they want? There's nothing of any value to gain from this show. These kids shouldn't be laughed at or given at type of attention. It's actually really sad that these teens are gonna grow up and probably become very powerful and inflectional in society. Thanks to their enabling parents.

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much consumerism
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
spareparts2004
spareparts2004 Parent of 0 and 3-year-old
February 1, 2012
age 18+

Please tell me this is a fake

This show cannot be for real. If it is not an enormous joke, then someone should be arrested. The episode I saw featured a 14 year old from Miami whose mother bought her a $60 K+ car for her 15th. That cannot be legal. In another scene, she was shown 'rehearsing' for a music video with a boy band that was to perform at the party. The dance step she was performing consisted of some extremely suggestive grinding, out in a public park. The girl was skimpily dressed. The band, as creepy a bunch as I have ever seen hanging around teenage girls, choreographed this 'special birthday' dance move just for her. In addition, the lead singer of the band was wearing a T-shirt with lewd content during one of the talking heads. Extreme mean girl behavior is demonstrated. First, the girl passes out party invitations in a park in front of a big crowd when not all are invited. In another scene, she criticizes her friend for the friend's weight, again in front of a large group. She said more than once, 'I am the princess', and displayed an unbelievable lack of empathy for anyone else. Needless to say, she is spewing a constant torrent of ingratitude to her mother, who stands by bemused, as if there is nothing she can do. In the 15 minutes I saw - could not take any more - no mention was made of the dad, other than the Mom knew that Dad won't like the car the girl has selected. He doesn't want her to drive a convertible. So they need to keep it a secret from him. Really? I sound like a prude in this posting but in reality smoked for a long time, drink alcohol, and swear a lot, so I thought my tolerance was pretty high. Again, this show HAS to be totally fake. I hope that any kid who watches this show is in on the 'joke' and can understand that this behavior is way beyond normal teenage narcissism and borders on sociopathic. The parents cannot possibly be as stupid and clueless as they allow themselves to be portrayed. If they are, it's a miracle they function in civilized society.

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 4 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In this MTV reality series, parents purchase new cars, rent expensive party spaces, and generally ignore all limits in order to throw extravagant SUPER SWEET 16 parties for their spoiled, rich teens.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (4):
Kids say (8):

Everything in this show is over the top. One mom took her daughter to Paris to shop for a dress, while the dad of teen boy hired a team of sexy dancers, later claiming to have spent a total of $250,000 for the big bash. Parents who are well connected can make real impressions on their teens' classmates (Kanye West and Ciara have appeared on the show and performed at parties). Of course, it's not all glitter and glamour. One mom drinks heavily, and it's unclear if her daughter's father will even show up. Another father is majorly intense, telling his son it's "pathetic" when only five kids RSVP for his party. (Later his stepmother bribes girls to attend by giving them free clothes from her chic boutique.)

It's hard to imagine exactly what this show's point is. It can be fun to gawk at the riches -- and at the bad behavior of both the kids and parents. But there are disturbing messages throughout. Are these teens more popular now that they've given a great party? Have they already gotten the idea that women can be bought? Will they expect/demand that celebrities appear at all their social events, since their families are well connected? All in all, like many MTV products, My Super Sweet 16 is both disturbing and addictive. The message it sends to teens is a mix of "look what I have" and "don't you wish you were here?"

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Familes can talk about the complicated message the show is sending. Ask your kids: How does it make you feel? Would you want to trade lives with any of these teens? Do you think they're happy after their party? Does this make you want to have a party of this scale? Would you be happy/content having one within your family's means?

TV Details

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