You Should Not Let Your Kids Watch These TV Shows

It’s important to be mindful of what children watch, as many popular shows aren’t designed for them. These shows often have mature content – like violence, strong language, or adult situations – and may deal with difficult topics that could be confusing or upsetting for kids. Thankfully, you can use features like profiles, parental controls, and content ratings to help ensure children only see age-appropriate content.

‘Euphoria’ (2019–)

This show, while featuring teenage characters, is intended for mature audiences due to its frequent and explicit sexual content, nudity, and depictions of drug use, overdose, and self-harm. It also contains consistent strong language. Parents should be aware that ‘Euphoria’ is best suited for adults only.

‘Game of Thrones’ (2011–2019)

I have to admit, ‘Game of Thrones’ isn’t for the faint of heart. It really doesn’t hold back – there’s a lot of intense battle violence, and it includes mature sexual content and nudity. I was honestly shocked by some of the scenes; it portrays torture, executions, and really brutal deaths without shying away from anything. Plus, there’s strong language and some deeply disturbing themes woven throughout the entire series. It’s definitely earned its TV-MA rating, and I wouldn’t recommend it for children at all.

‘The Boys’ (2019–)

This superhero show is very graphic and features a lot of intense violence, including detailed scenes of blood and injury. It also contains explicit sexual situations, strong language throughout, and depictions of drug use. Because of this mature content, it’s intended for adult viewers only.

‘Squid Game’ (2021–)

The show features dangerous challenges where characters are often killed, and includes realistic depictions of blood and injuries. It also uses strong language and explores difficult topics like desperation and exploitation, making it suitable for adult audiences.

‘Black Mirror’ (2011–)

This series presents unsettling stories about the relationship between technology and society. Many episodes feature strong psychological horror and violence, and it includes mature language and sexual themes. While the style of each story differs, the overall feel is consistently adult.

‘The Walking Dead’ (2010–2022)

This show features intense zombie violence and graphic imagery. Expect constant danger, heartbreaking losses, and detailed depictions of injuries. It includes strong language and deals with very dark subject matter, making it suitable only for mature audiences and definitely not for children.

‘American Horror Story’ (2011–)

This horror series explores different frightening locations each season and often includes graphic violence and unsettling visuals. It also features mature themes like sexual content, nudity, and references to the occult, along with frequent strong language. Because of this, it consistently receives a TV-MA rating.

‘Rick and Morty’ (2013–)

Although it’s a cartoon, ‘Rick and Morty’ is definitely made for adults. It features offensive jokes, harsh language, and often includes graphic violence and disturbing imagery. The show tackles dark and complex ideas like the meaninglessness of life and advanced science, but in a very over-the-top and shocking way. Don’t let the animation fool you – this isn’t a show for kids.

‘South Park’ (1997–)

‘South Park’ is famous for its strong language and often shocking comedy. It features adult jokes about sex and violent cartoon scenes, and uses satire to comment on social and political issues in a way that’s definitely not suitable for children. That’s why it always receives a TV-MA rating.

‘Invincible’ (2021–)

This cartoon features intense, violent action with realistic and bloody injuries. It includes scenes of characters being torn apart and engaging in brutal fights. The show also uses strong language and deals with mature subject matter, making it suitable only for adults. The TV-MA rating is a clear warning about its content.

‘The Witcher’ (2019–)

This show features violent sword fights with realistic injuries, as well as frequent sexual content, nudity, and strong language. It includes scary creatures and dangerous situations, and is intended for mature audiences. It carries a TV-MA rating.

‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ (2017–)

This show deals with difficult and mature themes like oppression, abuse, and trauma, all set in a dark and unsettling world. It contains scenes of sexual violence, intense psychological distress, and harsh punishments. Expect strong language and adult content throughout, making it suitable for mature audiences only.

‘Breaking Bad’ (2008–2013)

This show revolves around the dangerous world of drug production and criminal organizations. It features intense and often violent scenes, including gunplay and confrontations. Drug use and dealing are shown explicitly, and the series includes frequent strong language, earning it a mature audience rating.

‘Peacemaker’ (2022–)

Peacemaker is a show for adults with intense violence, strong language, and mature themes. It frequently contains sexual content, adult humor, and occasional references to drugs. This series is not appropriate for children.

‘Naked Attraction’ (2016–)

This dating show features complete nudity and frank discussions about adult topics. Because of its mature content, it’s intended for adults only and is not suitable for children. It has age restrictions in many places to reflect this.

‘The Last of Us’ (2023–)

This show features graphic violence and realistic portrayals of injury and death as characters struggle to survive. It includes scary creatures and intense, suspenseful situations that may be too frightening for younger audiences. Expect frequent strong language and mature storylines dealing with difficult topics like grief, loss, and complex moral choices.

‘House of the Dragon’ (2022–)

This fantasy series features intense and violent battle scenes, along with realistic portrayals of injuries. It also contains sexual content and nudity throughout. The story explores difficult themes like abuse, conflicts for control, and troubled family relationships, and includes strong language and frightening situations.

‘True Detective’ (2014–)

This show deals with serious and violent crimes, and often shows disturbing images from crime scenes. Expect strong language and mature themes throughout, including discussions of corruption, feelings of hopelessness, and the lasting effects of trauma. Some episodes also contain sexual situations and brief nudity.

‘Sons of Anarchy’ (2008–2014)

The show focuses on criminal activity, featuring frequent shootings and violent physical altercations. Characters often use harsh language, and storylines involve serious crimes like drug dealing, blackmail, and killing. Some plots also include sexual situations and brief nudity.

‘Dexter’ (2006–2013)

The show revolves around a killer who targets criminals. It features graphic depictions of violence, including blood and body parts, as well as realistic crime scene investigations. Expect strong language and dark, often unsettling, humor. Because it deals with mature themes like taking the law into one’s own hands and difficult moral questions, it’s definitely not appropriate for children.

‘Narcos’ (2015–2017)

This crime series offers a gritty and realistic look at drug cartels, including violence, executions, and strong language. It depicts the entire process, from drug production and trafficking to the corruption and threats used by armed groups. Be aware that the show contains mature themes and adult content.

‘Mindhunter’ (2017–2019)

As a true crime buff, I can tell you this series really dives deep into the minds of serial killers. It doesn’t shy away from the gruesome details of their crimes, and honestly, some of the descriptions of what happened are pretty shocking. The interrogation scenes are especially intense – they’re full of psychological games and really disturbing conversations. Be warned, there’s also a lot of strong language throughout. It’s a really tense watch, and the whole thing is very focused on why these criminals do what they do – the pathology behind it all.

‘Westworld’ (2016–2022)

The show contains violence, including shootings and graphic injuries. It also features sexual situations, some nudity, and strong language. It explores complex ideas like artificial intelligence, what it means to be human, and the mistreatment of thinking, feeling beings. Many scenes are very intense and may be disturbing to some viewers.

‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ (2005–)

This comedy relies heavily on offensive and explicit humor, including strong language. It tackles mature themes like drug use, manipulation, and fraud, and features characters making dangerous and irresponsible choices. Expect some episodes to contain suggestive situations and jokes that many viewers will find offensive. It’s definitely not suitable for children.

‘Archer’ (2009–2023)

This cartoon is full of action, including lots of shooting, explosions, and exaggerated physical comedy. Characters often swear and make adult jokes. There’s also frequent sexual content and suggestive themes. The show regularly portrays characters drinking too much and acting recklessly.

‘BoJack Horseman’ (2014–2020)

This animated series tackles difficult subjects like depression, addiction, and harmful self-destructive patterns. It features strong language, dark humor, and mature themes, including depictions of sexual content and substance abuse, making it best suited for adult audiences.

‘Big Mouth’ (2017–)

This show deals with the changes of puberty and includes very direct jokes about sex and bodies. It features strong language, often crude humor, and some animated nudity and suggestive visuals. It’s intended for mature audiences and is not suitable for children.

‘Love, Death & Robots’ (2019–)

This collection of shorts features intense animated violence and disturbing imagery. Some episodes include mature themes like sexual content and strong language. Expect frightening creatures and bleak, futuristic settings. Overall, the content is designed for adult audiences.

‘Spartacus’ (2010–2013)

This show features violent battles and warfare with a lot of blood and gore. It also contains frequent nudity and explicit sexual scenes. Characters often use strong language. The story explores difficult topics like slavery, revenge, and harsh punishments.

‘True Blood’ (2008–2014)

The show features intense and often violent scenes with graphic depictions of blood and injuries. It also includes frequent sexual content and nudity, as well as strong language and mature themes such as addiction and exploitation. The atmosphere is generally dark and unsettling.

‘Boardwalk Empire’ (2010–2014)

This historical crime show contains violence, including shootings and physical assaults, and focuses on the world of organized crime. It features strong language and mature themes, with some scenes including brief nudity and sexual content. The story explores topics like corruption, illegal alcohol trade, and political unrest.

‘The Wire’ (2002–2008)

This show offers a raw and realistic depiction of crime, both on the streets and within institutions, including violence. It features strong language and details about the drug trade, and often explores themes of police corruption and failures within the system. It’s intended for mature viewers due to its intense and uncompromising nature.

‘Shameless’ (2011–2021)

This show features strong language and often relies on crude humor. It also contains mature themes including sexual content, brief nudity, and depictions of substance abuse. The storylines frequently explore difficult topics like poverty, neglect, and criminal activity, making it unsuitable for children and younger teens.

‘Skins’ (2007–2013)

This show follows teenagers and depicts mature themes, including drug use, sexual situations, and strong language. It also touches on difficult topics like mental health and dangerous choices. Parents should know the show doesn’t shy away from these issues and presents them directly.

‘Hannibal’ (2013–2015)

This show features very graphic crime scenes and violent acts, presented in a highly stylized way. It relies heavily on psychological horror and unsettling images. Expect strong language and mature subject matter throughout. Because it includes disturbing content like cannibalism and serial killing, it’s definitely not appropriate for children.

Let us know what shows you recommend and which ones you think aren’t suitable for children by sharing your thoughts in the comments below.

2025-11-05 14:18