The TV-14 rating means the content is intended for viewers 14 and older, and parental guidance is suggested for younger teens. Here's what earns Dash & Lily that rating:

Language: There's occasional mild profanity scattered throughout—nothing you wouldn't hear in a high school hallway, but it's there. We're talking "damn," "hell," and a few instances of "bitch." No F-bombs, but definitely more than a G-rated Disney show.

Sexual content: This is probably the biggest factor in the rating. There are several kissing scenes (it's a romance, after all), and some episodes include references to sex and teenage hookup culture. One storyline involves a character losing their virginity, though nothing explicit is shown. There's also a party scene where teens are clearly hooking up in the background. The show doesn't glorify casual sex, but it acknowledges that teens think about and sometimes have sex—which is realistic, but might not align with every family's comfort level for younger viewers.

Drinking: Multiple scenes show underage drinking at parties. Again, it's not portrayed as consequence-free, but it's definitely present and somewhat normalized as part of the teen experience.

Mature themes: The show tackles anxiety, loneliness, family pressure, and the fear of not fitting in. Dash deals with his parents' divorce and some pretty cynical views about relationships. Lily struggles with social anxiety and the pressure to be perfect. These are heavy themes handled with care, but they're still emotionally complex.

Here's the thing: despite that TV-14 rating, Dash & Lily is genuinely one of the sweeter, more wholesome teen shows out there. Especially compared to shows like Euphoria or even Riverdale, this is practically a Hallmark movie.

The romance is earnest and respectful. Both characters are awkward, insecure, and trying to figure out who they are—which is incredibly relatable for teens. The show celebrates reading, kindness, and putting yourself out there emotionally. The main characters don't pressure each other, they communicate (eventually), and the whole premise is built on curiosity and connection rather than physical attraction.

The diversity is also refreshing and natural. Dash's best friend is gay, and his storyline is handled beautifully without making it the only thing about his character. There are characters of different races and backgrounds, and it all feels organic rather than forced.

For 14-16 year olds: This is pretty much in the sweet spot. High school freshmen and sophomores will relate to the awkwardness, the family dynamics, and the romance without feeling talked down to. The content is mature enough to feel real but not so graphic that it's uncomfortable to watch.

For 12-13 year olds: This is where it gets more family-dependent. If your middle schooler is mature and you've already had conversations about relationships, sex, and drinking, this could work—especially if you watch together. The themes might actually open up some good discussions. But if they're on the younger or more sheltered end of middle school, you might want to wait a year or preview it yourself first.

For 17+: Honestly, they'll probably find it a bit tame and cheesy, but in a comforting way. It's like the TV equivalent of a warm cookie.

The show is very New York, which means it's set in a world where teens have a lot of independence, ride the subway alone, and navigate the city without constant parental oversight. If your family dynamic is more protective or suburban, this might feel unrealistic—but it's also not promoting reckless behavior, just reflecting a different lifestyle.

The mental health representation is actually pretty solid. Lily's anxiety is portrayed sympathetically, and the show doesn't suggest that romance "fixes" it. Both characters grow individually, which is a nice message.

There's also a storyline about family expectations and cultural pressure (Lily's family is Jewish, and there are some really sweet Hanukkah scenes), which adds depth beyond just the romance.

If you're concerned about specific content, the drinking and sexual references are mostly concentrated in episodes 4-6, so you could preview those specifically.

Dash & Lily earned its TV-14 rating legitimately—there's language, sexual content, and drinking that puts it firmly in teen territory. But it's also one of the more thoughtful, sweet, and genuinely charming teen rom-coms out there.

Watch it with your high schooler if you want a low-stakes way to open up conversations about relationships, consent, and navigating social pressure. Preview it first if your teen is on the younger end of 14 or if you have specific concerns about content.

Is it going to corrupt your teen? Absolutely not. Will they roll their eyes at the earnestness? Possibly. But in a media landscape filled with increasingly dark teen content, Dash & Lily is refreshingly hopeful about young love and human connection.

If you're looking for similar vibes with even gentler content, check out Heartstopper (TV-14 but lighter on the mature content) or Never Have I Ever (also TV-14, similar themes but more comedy-focused).

Want to explore more teen-appropriate shows on Netflix? We can help you find the right fit for your family.