Common Sense Media The Summer I Turned Pretty Review Insights
Common Sense Media The Summer I Turned Pretty: Age Recommendation and Key Concerns
Common Sense Media recommends The Summer I Turned Pretty for teens aged 15 and up due to moderate sexual content, underage drinking, marijuana use, and intense themes including cancer and grief. The TV-14 romantic drama follows teenager Belly Conklin's coming-of-age summer romance with two brothers, featuring kissing scenes, characters undressing to underwear (no nudity shown), and serious conversations about loss.
Content Breakdown by Category
Parents seeking detailed content guidance will find Common Sense Media's review particularly thorough in breaking down specific elements that may concern families following Catholic and Marist educational values.
| Content Category | Level | Specific Details |
|---|---|---|
| Sex & Nudity | Moderate | Numerous kissing moments; characters undress to underwear; no sensitive body parts displayed; two skinny dipping scenes |
| Alcohol, Drugs & Smoking | Moderate | Underage drinking at parties (characters ages 16-20); mothers smoking marijuana; mild cigarette use |
| Profanity | Moderate | Casual use of \"f\" word; mild language including \"ass,\" \"screw,\" \"hell,\" \"God,\" \"butt,\" \"Jesus\" |
| Violence & Gore | None | One mild slap scene (Laurel slaps Belly, later apologizes) |
| Frightening & Intense Scenes | Moderate | Cancer diagnosis and death of key character; grief and loss themes |
Key Parental Concerns Identified
The primary concerns highlighted by parents on Common Sense Media forums center on three critical areas that align with values-based education priorities:
- Underage drinking and lack of parental supervision: One parent expressed reluctance to watch with their teenage daughter due to \"underage drinking\" concerns, suggesting the show should carry a 17+ rating
- Sexual themes for younger viewers: Another parent noted \"too many sexual themes for younger viewers,\" emphasizing the importance of age-appropriate content
- Mature relationship dynamics: The love triangle plot and engagement plots in later seasons present complex relationship scenarios requiring parental guidance
Educational Opportunity Framework
From a Marist educational perspective, this series presents a valuable opportunity for guided media literacy discussions that blend educational rigor with spiritual and social mission values.
- Watch first episodes independently: Parents should spend 45 minutes evaluating content before sharing with teens, as \"you can't unwatch something with your kid\"
- Establish \"pause and talk\" culture: When uncomfortable content appears, discuss relationship dynamics critically: \"That was a really unhealthy relationship dynamic-what do you think?\"
- Address consent and respect: Acknowledge awkwardness while discussing important topics: \"This is weird for both of us, but let's talk about the consent issues in that scene\"
- Connect to family values: Use the show's mature themes to reinforce Catholic and Marist values regarding relationships, substance use, and grief processing
- Maintain ongoing conversation: Whether co-viewing or allowing independent watching, \"keep talking about what they're watching\" because processing content together matters more than the content itself
Parent Testimonials and Community Perspectives
The Common Sense Media forum reveals diverse parental perspectives, with some declaring the show \"great for teens\" while others express significant concerns. One parent noted that \"most teenagers are already familiar with these mature issues, whether through personal experiences or peers,\" suggesting that \"concealing this show does not shield them from reality\". Conversely, the show's transition from high school innocence to college-age \"New Adult\" drama in its final season means slightly more mature themes including engagement plots and independent living.
Despite mature content, the series is considered a \"safe\" watch compared to shows like Euphoria, and it captures \"the feeling of being a teenager better than most\" as a \"massive cultural touchstone for this generation\". The high-quality, emotionally resonant storytelling makes it a valuable conversation starter for families committed to holistic education aligned with values-based principles.
What are the most common questions about Common Sense Media The Summer I Turned Pretty Review Insights?
What age is The Summer I Turned Pretty appropriate for?
Common Sense Media recommends the show for ages 15 and up, while the official TV rating is TV-14; however, some parents advocate for 17+ due to mature content including underage drinking and sexual themes.
Does The Summer I Turned Pretty show nudity?
No nudity is displayed; Common Sense Media confirms \"no sensitive body parts are displayed,\" though characters do \"undress down to their underwear\" and there are two skinny dipping scenes that cut off before showing anything explicit.
What mature themes are in The Summer I Turned Pretty?
The series addresses cancer (one key character faces death), grief, loss of a parent, underage drinking, marijuana use, and complex romantic relationship dynamics including a love triangle and engagement plots.
Should parents watch The Summer I Turned Pretty with their teens?
Yes-Common Sense Media and parenting experts recommend co-viewing strategies including watching the first episode yourself first, creating a \"pause and talk\" culture for uncomfortable moments, and using the series as an educational opportunity to discuss mature issues.
