Controversial TV Shows That Teens Are Watching

While edgy TV shows sometimes make headlines due to extreme or explicit content, they can also help start important conversations and foster deeper communication between family members. And just because these shows are rated for teens doesn't mean that younger kids aren't aware of them—and possibly even watching them, too. Scan this list to get informed about what exactly these shows are all about and why your teen might be very invested in their latest binge. For even more emotive picks, try Drama TV for Teens.

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Grey's Anatomy Poster Image
TV

Grey's Anatomy

age 14+

Medical soap is gripping -- and occasionally graphic.

Network: ABC (2005)
Maxton Hall: The World Between Us TV show poster: two young adults in a romantic pose, purple background
TV

Maxton Hall: The World Between Us

age 14+

Indulgent romp doesn't skimp on shirtless boys, drinking.

Network: Amazon Prime Video (2024)
Riverdale Poster Image
TV

Riverdale

age 14+

Dark, dramatic take on Archie comics is campy fun.

Network: CW (2017)
Atlanta Poster Image
TV

Atlanta

age 15+

Smart dramedy makes "star is born" premise fresh.

Network: FX (2016)
Big Mouth TV show poster: two hormone monsters are puppeteers for the middle school kids
TV

Big Mouth

age 15+

Raunchy but sweet animated comedy has sex jokes galore.

Network: Netflix (2017)
BoJack Horseman Poster Image
TV

BoJack Horseman

age 15+

Talking animals too crass for the kids it might attract.

Network: Netflix (2014)
Ginny & Georgia Poster Image
TV

Ginny & Georgia

age 15+

Mom-daughter drama tackles mental health, has sex, drugs.

Network: Netflix (2021)
Gossip Girl Poster Image
TV

Gossip Girl

age 15+

Over-the-top teen soap mixes backstabbing with drugs, sex.

Network: CW (2007)
Gossip Girl (2021) Poster Image
TV

Gossip Girl (2021)

age 15+

Drugs, sex, language in oddly colorless teen drama reboot.

Network: Max (2021)
The Idol TV show poster: Jocelyn and Tedros are shown close together, against a background of palm trees; the words "The Idol" are in red at waist level
TV

The Idol

age 15+

Witless TV show with lots of adult content lacks charm.

Network: HBO (2023)
Outer Banks Poster Image
TV

Outer Banks

age 15+

Slick teen mystery drama series is an edgy guilty pleasure.

Network: Netflix (2020)
Power Book II: Ghost Poster Image
TV

Power Book II: Ghost

age 15+

Dramatic spin-off filled with plot twists, mature content.

Network: Starz (2020)
Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV poster: closeup and static shot of kids on TV with their faces blurred or cropped out.
TV

Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV

age 15+

Disturbing look at child sexual abuse at Nickelodeon.

Network: Max (2024)
South Park Poster Image
TV

South Park

age 15+

Outrageous, shocking humor carries a message.

Network: Comedy Central , UPN (1997)
The Summer I Turned Pretty TV Show Poster: Isabella in the foreground with Jeremiah and Conrad behind her
TV

The Summer I Turned Pretty

age 14+

YA romance-turned-show is sweet and summery.

Network: Amazon Prime Video (2022)
Bridgerton TV Poster: Penelope stands in front of a mirror, Colin looking back at her
TV

Bridgerton

age 16+

Sex, nudity, smoking in sumptuous, diverse period drama.

Network: Netflix (2020)
13 Reasons Why Poster Image
TV

13 Reasons Why

age 16+

Disturbing book adaptation sheds light on teen suicide.

Network: Netflix (2017)
Rick and Morty Poster Image
TV

Rick and Morty

age 16+

Ribald, drunken animated comedy is too edgy for most teens.

Network: Cartoon Network (2013)
Sex Education Poster Image
TV

Sex Education

age 16+

Quirky comedy has terrific premise, tons of mature content.

Network: Netflix (2019)
Breaking Bad Poster Image
TV

Breaking Bad

age 17+

Morally ambiguous show has crime, drugs, Latino stereotypes.

Network: AMC (2008)