Common Sense Media is a nonprofit that reviews movies, TV shows, games, apps, books, and more with a focus on age-appropriateness. They're probably the most-cited source when parents are trying to figure out if something is "okay" for their kid.

Their reviews include:

The thing is, CSM reviews are a starting point, not a rulebook. Their age ratings tend to be conservative (which isn't bad!), but they also can't account for your specific kid's sensitivities, maturity level, or what you've already decided is fine for your family.

The age rating is the least useful part of a CSM review if you stop there. A show rated 10+ might be perfectly fine for your 8-year-old who's read all the Percy Jackson books and can handle fantasy violence. Or it might be too intense for your 12-year-old who gets nightmares easily.

What to do instead: Scroll past the age rating and read the actual content breakdowns. CSM tells you why they gave that rating—what specific elements pushed it up.

CSM breaks down content into categories:

Your family's sensitivity to these categories is going to be different from everyone else's. Maybe you're fine with cartoon violence but draw a hard line at potty humor. Maybe language doesn't bother you but you want zero romance. CSM's breakdowns let you make those calls.

The community reviews from other parents are often more useful than the official CSM rating. Parents will say things like "My 6-year-old loved this but my 9-year-old found it boring" or "The age rating says 8+ but there's a scene in episode 3 that scared my 10-year-old."

Just remember: these are random internet parents, not your parenting soulmate. Take their feedback as data points, not gospel.

This is the summary at the top that gives you the quick version. It'll say something like "Animated series has peril, some scary creatures, and themes of loss." That's your 30-second scan to decide if you need to dig deeper.

Let's get practical. Here are some animated shows that are actually good (not just "fine for kids"), organized by age range, with what CSM says and what you should actually know.

Bluey (CSM: Age 4+)
Honestly, this show is perfect. It's wholesome without being preachy, funny for adults, and teaches emotional intelligence without being heavy-handed. CSM gives it 5 stars and so does everyone with a pulse. Zero notes.

Hilda (CSM: Age 7+)
A girl and her deer-fox explore a magical world. CSM rates it 7+ because of some "mild peril" and "scary creatures," but it's really gentle. If your kid can handle The Wild Robot by Peter Brown, they can handle Hilda. Gorgeous animation, great storytelling, and actual character development.

Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts (CSM: Age 8+)
CSM says 8+ but many younger kids (6-7) do fine with it. It's a post-apocalyptic world with mutant animals, but it's colorful and optimistic. Some action sequences and mild peril, but nothing graphic. Great diversity representation and killer soundtrack.

Avatar: The Last Airbender (CSM: Age 7+)
The gold standard. CSM's 7+ rating is about right for most kids—there's fantasy violence and war themes, but it's handled thoughtfully. This show has better character arcs than most adult dramas. If your kid hasn't seen it, fix that.

Gravity Falls (CSM: Age 8+)
Mystery, humor, and genuine scares. CSM flags it for "spooky imagery" and "some crude humor," which is accurate. The show gets progressively darker/more intense as it goes, so maybe watch the first few episodes together to gauge your kid's comfort level. But it's SO good.

The Owl House (CSM: Age 10+)
A human girl learns magic in a demon realm. CSM rates it 10+ for "fantasy violence" and "scary imagery," but it's comparable to Gravity Falls in tone. Great LGBTQ+ representation (the main character is bisexual and has a same-sex relationship). If that's a bonus for your family, this show delivers.

Arcane (CSM: Age 14+)
Based on League of Legends, but you don't need to know anything about the game. Stunning animation, complex characters, and a genuinely good story. CSM's 14+ rating is fair—there's violence (not gratuitous but present), themes of addiction and class warfare, and some intense emotional scenes. Not for sensitive kids, but for mature tweens/teens who can handle The Hunger Games book, this is excellent.

Invincible (CSM: Age 17+)
This is NOT a kids' show despite being animated. CSM rates it 17+ for graphic violence, gore, and mature themes, and they're not kidding. If you have a 17-year-old who wants to watch it, fine, but don't let the animation style fool you into thinking it's appropriate for younger kids. It's essentially a superhero show that asks "what if Superman was a sociopath?" Very, very violent.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (CSM: Age 9+)
Technically a movie, but worth mentioning. CSM says 9+, which feels right for most kids. Action violence but nothing graphic, and the emotional themes (grief, responsibility, self-doubt) are handled beautifully. The sequel, Across the Spider-Verse, is similar in tone.

CSM doesn't really account for whether a show is engaging for kids. Some shows rated for younger audiences are just... boring. And some shows rated for older kids are so well-paced that younger kids stay glued.

CSM will flag "crude humor" but won't tell you if a show is full of fart jokes or clever wordplay. If potty humor drives you up a wall, you'll need to do some reconnaissance beyond the CSM review.

A show can be rated low for content but still be emotionally heavy. Bluey has episodes that will wreck you as a parent (looking at you, "Sleepytime"). CSM doesn't always capture that.

CSM does mention diversity in their reviews, but if representation is important to your family, you might want to dig deeper into specific shows to see how well it's handled.

Once your kid is old enough (usually around 8-10), you can actually show them CSM reviews and talk through the content together. It's a great way to teach media literacy:

This also helps kids understand that different families have different rules, and that's okay. Your friend might be allowed to watch something you're not, and vice versa.

Common Sense Media reviews are a useful tool, but they're not a substitute for knowing your kid and your family's values. The age rating is a starting point, not a finish line. Read the content breakdowns, check the parent reviews, and when in doubt, watch the first episode yourself.

And remember: you're not a bad parent if you let your kid watch something rated a year or two above their age, and you're not a helicopter parent if you decide to wait. Every kid is different. CSM gives you the information—you make the call.

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