The show is trying to teach some morals while hitting the subjects head on and pulling no punches. In our society so many of our kids are subjected to sex, drugs, and poor parental guidance in their daily live. This show give the parents an opportunity to watch this your preteens and discuss the issues. Are kids are subjected to this stuff by the time they are in middle school in real life. You have to get to them early.
American Teen
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 15; suggested age 15. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Riveting documentary is bound to get kids talking.
Why We Rated This
for Ages 15 and Up
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About American Teen
Parents need to know that this eye-opening documentary was the breakout hit at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival and has been heavily promoted via MTV, so teens may well want to see it. It follows real high-school seniors from the small town of Warsaw, Ind., and doesn't flinch from showing them drinking, swearing, smoking, hooking up, and talking about sex. They also worry about their romantic relationships, peer pressure, college applications, scholarships, and grades. There's plenty of manipulative behavior and tons of emotional ups and downs, all of which teens are likely to recognize and identify with -- and parents may find themselves panicking about.
Read our full review by Sandie Angulo Chen
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about how the featured students personify the stereotypes of high school life. Do teens really fall into clear categories like "geek," "misfit," "princess," etc.? Teens: How much do you relate to what's shown in the movie? Which of the kids in the movie do you think you're most like? Parents and kids may also want to discuss some of the behavior shown in the movie. Is cyberbulling as prevalent as the film portrays? What are the consequences? Also, what are the real-life consequences of underage drinking? And are high-school relationships so easily affected by peer pressure?
Our Members Say
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
A one you must watch with the kids

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