Parents' Guide to

Degrassi

By Caroline Gates-Shannon, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Superb, socially conscious drama deals with tough issues.

TV TeenNick Drama 2001
Degrassi Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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age 14+

Based on 53 parent reviews

emilee18
emilee18 Adult
May 2, 2022
age 12+

Degrassi: TNG

I think this is a pretty good show. It does talk about sex, drugs, violence, but not in an overly explicit way as you would see in most American young adult shows. Most of the sex stuff is just suggestive. If your child is old enough to have the “birds and the bees” talk I think they are old enough for this show but maybe watch with them. Even though it was ahead of this time there are a few moments that would require further explanation from a parent. Some episodes are more G-rated than others.
Georgia A.
Georgia A. Parent
August 8, 2020
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.
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What's the Story?

DEGRASSI: THE NEXT GENERATION is a teen drama set in a Canadian community school where a diverse group of high-schoolers cope with academic pressures, social stresses, relationship woes, and even weightier issues like drug use, cyberbullying, and STDs. Like its 1980s predecessors, Degrassi Junior High and Degrassi High, the show's ensemble cast is a microcosm of the modern-day teen population as a whole, incorporating characters of different ethnicities, socio-economic groups, religious persuasions, and sexual identities, not to mention differences in personalities. Overachievers, underachievers, jocks, socialites, perfectionists, control freaks, social misfits -- all find a place in the halls of Degrassi. During the show's run, it has endured numerous cast changes, but nothing has changed about the way the show addresses serious issues like gang violence, rape, and teen pregnancy.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (53 ):
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.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what sets Degrassi apart from other teen shows. Does that fact that the teens look like regular teens make it more realistic? Can you relate to their issues or feel empathy for the characters? Have you or your friends dealt with similar issues?

  • The issue of self-image is a common theme in this show, and families can discuss the pressures on young women to lose weight and get plastic surgery. Are there aspects of your body that you wish you could change? Does this issue affect your enjoyment of life? How does the media influence how you think you look?

  • This series shines a light on several timely issues, including bullying, tolerance, sexual identity, and sexual activity. Depending on the episode's content, talk to your kids about these and other topics, drawing comparisons between the characters' actions and your own family rules. Did the show encourage you to see a situation differently than you have in the past? How does peer pressure play a role in your decisions about what you will and will not do?

  • How do the characters on Degrassi learn and demonstrate compassion and self-control? What about communication and integrity? Why are these important character strengths?

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

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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