Parents' Guide to

Degrassi

TV TeenNick Drama 2001
Degrassi Poster Image

Common Sense Media Review

By Caroline Gates-Shannon , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 14+

Superb, socially conscious drama deals with tough issues.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 14+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 13+

Based on 50 parent reviews

age 13+

An amazing show that teaches valuable lessons, in a realistic, yet fun environment.

Degrassi is an amazing show that teaches so many valuable lessons. Many say that the show overdoes it when it comes to sex and drugs, violence and more. Honestly, from my experience in High School, I would say that Degrassi shows a realistic depiction on many events and situations that High School students may get faced with or have to deal with. The show covers topics like questioning sexual orientation, teen suicide, teen pregnancy, drug and alcohol use, death, sex, the pressures of High School, eating disorders, mental health issues, abuse and many more. Majority of these subjects are hard to talk about and Degrassi teaches kids about them and shows the down-side, the realistic consequences that their actions might have. If you want your kids to learn more about life and the troubles and problems they'll have to face, I would highly recommend this show. They deal with difficult issues but portray them realistically, without all the Hollywood glam that makes things seem better than they really are. There are some subjects that may not be entirely appropriate for younger viewers, like; one of the characters contracting gonorrhea, people losing their virginity or even people getting raped. I would recommend that parents watch the episodes before showing their kids to check that they're appropriate for the certain teen. But, be aware, that however bad you may see an episode or certain issue as, your child has probably already heard or dealt with something similar to that topic. To summarise, I HIGHLY recommend Degrassi, and all of the shows in the Degrassi franchise, as a great learning material that is both fun and realistic for teens and older kids.
age 16+

should have age limit at 16+

This is one of my favorite TV-show franchises for a reason. It portrays junior high-high school in such a realistic way, and focuses on so many different important problems and situations for teenagers. I do however think you should wait until at LEAST 16 before watching it, because a lot of the issues in the show can be a lot to handle if you're under 16. 3

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (50 ):
Kids say (177 ):

Excellently written and boasting a cast that actually looks and acts like real kids, this series provides provocative, engaging, and socially conscious programming for teens and adults. The show's braintrust doesn't hold back when it comes to facing tough but relevant issues, which means that these teens have sex, drink, do drugs, bully, and turn violent against each other. There's Fiona (Annie Clark), a sexually insecure teen who finally comes out as a lesbian; Alli (Melinda Shankar), whose conservative Muslim upbringing doesn't change her appetite for popularity and the opposite sex; Adam (Jordan Todosey), a transgender teen who comes into his own with the help of some true friends; Jenna (Jessica Tyler), a teen mom who makes a tough choice for herself and her baby boy; and Clare (Aislinn Paul), who struggles to come to terms with her mom's new relationship and the emotionally complicated new family life that comes of it.

It's impossible not to get invested in the characters' lives and to sympathize with their feelings during emotionally rocky times. Degrassi isn't a comfortable, heartwarming series that solves all its self-created problems in its allotted 30-minute window and leaves you feeling joyful at its end. It's designed to put you on edge and make you confront tough situations, and it does so without relying on any of the sensationalism that allows viewers to dismiss the content as dramatic effect. This accomplishes two things: First, it forces parents to picture their own teens in the characters' shoes, and second, it offers them a unique opportunity to start a discussion with their kids about tough issues that arise in the content. Fortunately the caliber of the show itself makes it equally entertaining for you and your teen to watch. What's more, if you're an alum of the original Junior High series, you'll find particular enjoyment in seeing a few stars from that incarnation return to the screen as the grown-ups in this one.

TV Details

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