Parents' Guide to Psychic Kids: Children of the Paranormal

The series centers on the sympathetic idea that kids who demonstrate psychic abilities often struggle to find acceptance in a society that doesn't understand what they're going through. The kids featured on the show often share feelings of isolation and frustration as a result of being unable to talk about their experiences with others, which may resonate with viewers who feel different for their own reasons. Their parents, many of whom have spent years trying to find a medical explanation for their kids' behavior, also fear the social backlash that can result if their child is associated with the paranormal.

But while Coffey and Miller seem genuinely committed to helping the kids and their families cope with what they're going through, the series seems to exploit the youngsters' alleged psychic abilities for the sake of entertainment. The endless use of eerie background music and the many dark, shadowy scenes and random images seem intended to spook, rather than really educate viewers on what these kids are experiencing. Some of the conversations with the kids also appear rehearsed, and scenes are often stopped at specific points to create suspense. As a result, the kids' stories become less believable. But for teens who like this sort of thing, it makes for OK viewing.