Parents' Guide to

Survivor

By Betsy Wallace, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 11+

Plotting and scheming in paradise for $1,000,000.

TV CBS Reality TV 2000
Survivor 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 10+

Based on 19 parent reviews

Lexapen
Lexapen Adult
October 13, 2019
age 12+

A little risque

I am by no means prudish. However, I began watching season 1 with my 10 year old, and the multiple discussions regarding orgies, was a bit unsettling. I watched this season when it originally aired, before having children. I was prepared for nudity, but forgot about the sexual content. Watching it with them, I am having to press mute at least once per episode. I think we’ll be done after getting through season 1.

This title has:

Too much sex
2 people found this helpful.
Sissymaemarks
Sissymaemarks Adult
February 20, 2022
age 10+

Pet peeve

I think we know the game has lots of upside n downs but the one thing that should be sacred is your bag.Noone should be allowed to go into it.Thats the one place Noone has a right to go in.I think it should be a rule.Thats the only thing on survivor that makes me mad.
1 person found this helpful.
See all 19 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In award-winning reality show SURVIVOR, a group of strangers (usually 16, sometimes more) ranging in age from 20ish to 60ish is "cast away" for 39 days in a remote tropical location and divided into tribes. The tribes compete against each other in challenges for rewards or immunity from elimination (once the number of players dwindles significantly, they start competing individually instead of at the tribal level). The last contestant standing wins $1 million and the title of Sole Survivor. Even as they form a society and work together to build shelters and win the challenges, the Survivors vote each other out of the game one by one at tribal council -- a formula that's been copied by countless reality/game shows since, from Big Brother to The Bachelor to American Idol. But the game changes in unexpected ways each season, too, deliberately churning up surprises: Past gimmicks have included bringing back players who were voted out, switching up the tribes after a few days, exiling players to a special island, dividing tribes along controversial lines (race, age groups, etc.), and so on.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (19 ):
Kids say (72 ):

It's not a stretch to call Survivor innovative and educational. The game requires contestants to learn and employ wilderness skills and work together, and each season takes place in a different part of the world, with the history and culture of the region incorporated into the show. Challenges test not only Survivors' physical strength but also their knowledge of local traditions and their ability to solve puzzles and problems. Terrific wildlife footage gives viewers a close-up look at exotic insects, snakes, spiders, sharks, tigers, alligators, etc., depending on the location.

As it has progressed, the series has wisely spent less time focusing on the Survivors' day-to-day ailments and more time emphasizing their social interaction and competitive ability -- which always makes for more compelling reality TV. Fans of the series will find plenty to enjoy in each installment, although some parents won't appreciate the fact that lying and backstabbing are so prevalent.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what it means to be a true survivor and how "real" the show is. Do you think the contestants are ever really in danger of starving or getting seriously hurt?

  • Are the players really the way they seem on TV, or does editing shape how they come across to viewers?

  • Do you have to cheat and lie in order to win this game? Is it ever OK to lie, and if so, when?

TV Details

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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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