Teen shows have always pushed boundaries; sometimes to tell honest stories, and sometimes just to shock the audience. Over the years, many popular series aimed at young viewers have sparked debates among parents, teachers, and even fans.
Whether it was the way they handled sensitive topics, romanticized risky behavior, or blurred the line between realism and glamorization, these shows made many of us feel uncomfortable. Let’s see if our list matches yours!
5. 13 Reasons Why – Graphic Suicide And Assault Storylines
The show revolves around Clay Jensen discovering why his classmate Hannah Baker died by suicide through the recorded tapes she left behind. The show became controversial for its detailed portrayal of suicide, which experts warned could influence vulnerable viewers.
After the release, studies reported an increase in youth suicides, intensifying public criticism and leading Netflix to remove the graphic death scene. The series also faced backlash for sexual assault storylines, especially when later seasons attempted to humanize the perpetrator.
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4. Gossip Girl – Toxic Relationships And Sexualized Marketing
‘Gossip Girl‘ followed wealthy New York teenagers whose secrets were exposed by an anonymous blogger. While popular, the show faced criticism for glamorizing manipulation, bullying, and unhealthy relationships among teens. Controversial promotional campaigns teasing sexual scenarios, including a widely discussed threesome storyline, were accused of targeting young viewers with provocative marketing.
Even when the scenes themselves were mild, critics argued that the show normalized reckless behavior and rewarded characters for deceitful actions. Instead of presenting consequences, the storyline often framed toxic conversations and behaviour as fashionable or witty.
3. Gilmore Girls – Stereotypical Characters And Lack of Inclusivity
‘Gilmore Girls‘ is loved for its charm and fast dialogue, but some parts of it haven’t aged well. The main cast was almost entirely white, and characters from other backgrounds were rarely given depth. Michel Gerard, one of the few Black recurring characters, was mostly written as a sarcastic side character and was never fully explored.
Lane’s mother, Mrs. Kim, was also played heavily as the strict Asian parent stereotype, with little cultural detail beyond that. On top of that, Emily Gilmore’s treatment of household staff often reflected old-fashioned class and racial attitudes. The show still has a loyal fanbase, but many modern viewers now notice how limited and simplified its portrayal of race and culture feels.
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2. Degrassi – Teen Pregnancy And Abortion Debate
The long-running ‘Degrassi‘ franchise became controversial for directly addressing teen pregnancy and abortion. A storyline involving Manny Santos choosing to terminate a pregnancy was banned in parts of the United States, while an earlier similar episode had its ending edited out.
Critics argued the show introduced complex moral issues to young audiences without enough contextual guidance, making families uncomfortable. Supporters praised its realism, but opponents believed it crossed boundaries for teen programming.
1. Pretty Little Liars – Problematic Adult-Teen Romance
‘Pretty Little Liars‘ follows high school student Aria Montgomery and her teacher, Ezra Fitz. When the show first aired, many fans rooted for the couple and treated their relationship like a normal romance, often overlooking the clear power imbalance.
Looking back now, the storyline feels troubling, especially because Aria was still a minor. The show rarely addressed the ethical and legal issues involved and instead framed the relationship as emotional and desirable. On rewatch, viewers notice how the series normalized behavior that would be considered inappropriate and unhealthy in real life.
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