After lengthy delays due to the pandemic and the SAG/AFTRA strike, Stranger Things is finally filming a much-anticipated fifth and final season. The surrounding buzz has parents wondering about the Stranger Things age rating and if the show is appropriate for kids. To help you decide if this show is right for your child, here are some factors to consider.
Stranger Things is rated TV-14 by the TV Parental Guidelines Rating System. According to the rating guide, TV-14 labels are given to shows which contain some material that parents might find unsuitable for children under 14 and parental caution is advised.
Common Sense Media also ranks the show as suitable for ages 14+. This sci-fi/horror show features some adult content, including violence and gore.
There is quite a bit of swearing and other strong language in Stranger Things. Characters also throw up the middle finger quite a bit. Considering the characters will be older in season five, it’s unlikely the language will get any cleaner.
Stranger Things also includes bullying language, including homophobic slurs and racially charged descriptors. That kind of language might be an accurate reflection of the 1980s-era the show is set in, but parents who don’t want their children exposed to it should take caution — or have a plan to discuss the use of this language together.
There is mild sex and nudity in Stranger Things. Teen characters frequently kiss, and during one makeout scene, a teen takes off her shirt, exposing her bra. The show also features quite a bit of sexual references, such as orgasm innuendos. Perhaps most disturbing, an adult character discusses their plan to have an affair with an older teen.
Given that Stranger Things bills itself as horror, it should come as no surprise that the violence and gore are quite intense. The show frequently features gruesome deaths, including the deaths of children and teens. Sympathetic characters die, not just bad guys. Monsters also attack, manipulate, and possess characters with some regularity. And there is a fair amount of fistfighting and other teenage rumbling.
Stranger Things is definitely not for the faint of heart. There are slasher-style scares, epic monsters, and child characters who regularly find themselves in extremely dangerous situations. This includes a 12-year-old boy who is abducted and held captive by a super creepy humanoid monster. Needless to say, younger or more sensitive children are likely to be frightened by the content.
There is some substance use and abuse depicted in Stranger Things. Adults are often seen smoking (hey, it was the ‘80s!), and it’s suggested that one adult character has a problem with prescription pills and alcohol.
Underage drinking is also depicted, sometimes to excess. Other drugs, such as cannabis and cocaine, are referenced. In season four, a supporting character is often high on marijuana.
Parents should know that Stranger Things features content that may not be appropriate for their child or young teen. It’s generally appropriate for kids over 14, but every child and family are different, so it’s a good idea for parents to evaluate the show and make a decision that’s right for their child and their family’s values.
If you’re concerned about what your child may be watching, BrightCanary can help you supervise their viewing and other online activity. While BrightCanary doesn’t cover streaming services like Netflix, the app’s advanced technology scans your child’s social media, Google, YouTube, and messages and alerts you when they encounter something concerning.
Kids can go down rabbit holes when they start looking up their interests online. If your child starts watching Stranger Things videos on YouTube, the platform may start recommending horror content they’re not ready to see on their own. In those instances, it’s helpful to have a child safety system like BrightCanary — so you know when you need to step in. Download BrightCanary and start your free trial today.
