The 13 teen TV shows your 13-year-old wants to watch
THESE are the streaming shows your teenager wants to watch, because “everyone” is talking about them at school. But should you let them, asks Duncan Lay.
NSW
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THESE are the television shows that your teenager wants to watch but are they the shows you want to let them see?
These are shows all available on streaming services, which means it’s easy for teenagers to watch them in their rooms, on phones, tablets or laptops.
Add in peer pressure at school, with the need to fit in and be part of the conversation and, with some of them, it’s potentially a recipe for serious problems.
Child and adolescent psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg warned that teenagers are exposed to “all manner of stuff” at school and it is important to discuss what they are watching.
“The show 13 Reasons Why is a prime example where very bad decisions were made by the characters that had disastrous consequences,” Dr Carr-Gregg told The Sunday Telegraph.
“Watching such shows with the young people affords the parents the chance to point these out and suggest alternative choices.
“Allowing them to stream them in their room alone denies parents the chance to provide context and help the young viewer critique what they are seeing.
“Young people with existing mental health issues — one in four teenagers — may be especially susceptible to poor messages, so these parents should take great care.”
However, a good conversation with your child about some of these issues will not only heighten the enjoyment of the show but also help with their development and transition into adulthood.
“An important part of raising young people is to share your attitudes, values and beliefs so that they have a reference point for what they hear in the school year and of course from teachers,” Dr Carr-Gregg said.
“The issues that are raised by TV shows represent ‘teachable moments’ where parents can share their thoughts and explain their views.”
So should you let your teenager loose on all these shows? Obviously the final decision is with the parent and there is plenty of material online to aid that decision but here’s our guide to the hits and misses of teen TV.
Riverdale — Netflix
The premise
Remember the Archie Comics? Well, those characters just got brought to life. As well as the usual teen dramas of fears for the future, hidden love and forbidden love, there’s also a mysterious death and, later, a killer called Black Hood wandering around.
Possible concerns
There’s plenty of conversations about sex, lots of kissing and some inappropriate relationships, such as teacher with student. But there is no nudity. There’s some bloodshed and themes such as suicide are discussed.
Can they watch it?
Yes, although they should know that its initial brilliance is fading fast and season three seems to have gone right off the rails. You might need to discuss some of the issues it raises.
Pretty Little Liars — Netflix/Foxtel
The premise
The lives of four friends fall apart when the leader of their little clique, Alison, goes missing. A year later, the four are forced back together when the mysterious “A” threatens to reveal their deepest secrets. Is it Alison, or someone else, someone more sinister? They have to solve the mystery, find out who the killer is and sort out their love lives as well.
Possible concerns
Lots of conversations about sex but no nudity. One of the characters comes out as a lesbian and has many issues arising from this, including initial parental disapproval. There are many deaths in the show and a palpable sense of menace.
Can they watch it?
It is skewed a little more towards older teenagers and also towards girls. But it is addictive and maintains its story power through the seasons.
13 Reasons Why — Netflix
The premise
A teenage boy arrives home to find a set of audiotapes on his doorstep from a fellow classmate and the girl he had a secret crush on — a girl who committed suicide two weeks earlier. As he works through the tapes, she reveals the 13 reasons why she killed herself.
Possible concerns
Lots of them. There may be little nudity but there is plenty of sexual activity, including a highly disturbing rape scene. There’s plenty of swearing and graphic violence.
Can they watch it?
Not alone. The issues it brings up are important and The Sunday Telegraph has campaigned heavily on youth suicide with its Can We Talk? series, encouraging parents to discuss the issue with their children. This series does not glorify suicide but will bring up questions. These should be seen as an opportunity and discussed with your teenager.
Stranger Things — Netflix
The premise
A boy goes missing and the authorities seem unable or unwilling to find him. While his mother and the town sheriff conduct one investigation, his friends go looking for him, using a mysterious girl they have befriended, who has strange powers. Somehow, both things are linked to the secret government laboratory on the edge of town.
Possible concerns
It’s scary, with a constant sense of menace. There’s also blood and death. There’s a little swearing and sexual talk but no nudity.
Can they watch it?
It’s a brilliant show but teens with active imaginations may find themselves haunted by it (although they wouldn’t want to admit that).
The 100 — Netflix/Foxtel
The premise
After a nuclear war devastated Earth, survivors on a failing space station decide to send 100 “expendable” juvenile criminals back down to the planet to see if it is habitable. But when The 100 land, they discover humanity hasn’t all died out and there’s many dangers and dramas ahead.
Possible concerns
There’s plenty of implied sex, even if nothing is actually shown. There is a fair bit of violence and some gore. Major characters will die, so that might cause distress.
Can they watch it?
Absolutely.
The End of The F****** World — Netflix
The premise
James is 17 and thinks he might be a psychopath. He wants to prove it by killing someone. Alyssa is also 17 and the awkward new girl at school who persuades him to run away with her on a road trip to find her real father. Adventures and violent misadventures ensue, as well as plenty of humour and, eventually, a love story.
Possible concerns
Some very obvious red flags here about hidden anger and violence at schools. Sex and sexual consent is a major issue on the show and it has won plaudits for the way it handled the issue, with Alyssa showing teen girls exactly how to deal with pushy, panting boys: “Well then, respect me changing my mind”.
Can they watch it?
Not for the younger ones. There are some powerful messages for teens aged 15 and older but again it is the sort of show that needs to be discussed afterwards, or even watched together. Given it has a 98 per cent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it has to be at least as good as anything else you are watching.
Black Mirror — Netflix
The premise
This is not a series but instead a set of stand-alone episodes in which technology, old-time fears and conspiracy theories collide into some wacky and freaky stories. From social media to game shows, aspects of modern life are turned on their heads.
Possible concerns
Episodes vary wildly, although only a couple have even partial nudity. There is plenty of swearing. The main concern is the violence and frightening, eerie themes. It is designed to mess with your mind and it probably will.
Can they watch it?
Again, some really interesting discussion points about technology are brought up. You might want to watch them first and then point your teen towards the ones you feel are most suitable. Given each stands alone, there is no need to watch them all, or in sequence.
Suits — Netflix/Foxtel
The premise
It stars Meghan Markle, the about-to-be wife of Prince Harry, so there’s an obvious drawcard. Suits is the tale of college dropout Mike who lands a job with a brilliant firm of lawyers, despite having no law degree. They face a variety of cases or “suits” as well as deal with all sorts of office dramas.
Possible concerns
Mike is on the run from a drug deal gone bad and there are several drug use scenes. There’s no nudity, although there is some sexual talk and even the language is relatively mild.
Can they watch it?
If they like legal dramas and want to see Princess Meghan before she became royal, then go for it.
Westworld — Foxtel
The premise
A Wild West theme park has astonishingly lifelike robots. But while everyone thinks they must obey humans, some of them start to develop a consciousness and question what is being done to them. There’s also a mystery at the heart of the park, one which both good and bad men are trying to solve.
Possible concerns
Many. There’s an enormous amount of nudity and sex scenes, including rape and an orgy. It has graphic violence, torture and more.
Can they watch it?
No. Just no. It may be brilliantly written, with fantastic acting and wonderful effects. But the philosophical questions of just what constitutes humanity and free will will be lost among the sea of breasts.
The Gifted — Foxtel
The premise
A seemingly ordinary family are forced to go on the run when their children develop mutant powers — at a time when mutants are being hunted down by the government. This Marvel series is another comic book to make the jump to the small screen but features a family and all its issues rather than a single superhero.
Possible concerns
There is violence but nothing much to speak of in regards to sex scenes, swearing or drug use.
Can they watch it?
Yes.
Imposters — Stan
The premise
Con artist Maddie gets men to fall in love with her and then takes off with their money. But she may have found her match in Patrick, who she might actually be falling for. Meanwhile three men whose hearts and wallets she broke team up to try and track her down — as does the FBI. And then there’s Uma Thurman as the hit woman who works for Maddie’s boss. It’s funny but a drama and also a mystery.
Possible concerns
Plenty of talk about sex. Maddie’s ex-husband Ezra tries to kill himself after she leaves him.
Can they watch it?
Definitely one for the older teens.
UnREAL — Stan
The premise
The behind-the-scenes dramas of the crew of a dating show as they try to manipulate the contestants for ratings and money. Meanwhile they get up to all sorts of shenanigans themselves. Given the plethora of dating shows, from Bachelor to Married At First Sight, it’s a timely and satirical look at what might really happen.
Possible concerns
There is some language but not excessive. There is plenty of drug use, including snorting cocaine, as well as plenty of talk about sex, although no nudity.
Can they watch it?
If your teen is hooked on Bachelor In Paradise or something similar, then this could be a good alternative. It will make them think as well as laugh. But you need to be part of that conversation.
Rise — Stan
The premise
Often compared to Glee, this is the story about a teacher who inspires an ordinary high school drama class to do extraordinary things. Naturally the football coach tries to stop them and kids have to choose between theatre friends and sporty friends. Plenty of drama, music and laughs.
Possible concerns
There’s some interesting themes, such as what constitutes sexual assault in the workplace, as well as closeted gay characters and there’s plenty of teen flirting and sexual suggestion. No nudity or language to speak of, or violence.
Can they watch it?
Yes but it would be better to watch it with them and talk about some of these issues. The good thing is troubled characters, including a teen with a drinking problem, are seen being treated with love and respect.
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