The Summer I Turned Pretty – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Summer I Turned Pretty

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2022

38%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Glossy teen romance with love triangles, beach vibes, and way more mature content than the dreamy aesthetic suggests.

7.3/10

79%

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The Summer I Turned Pretty

show

TV-14, 2022

38%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Glossy teen romance with love triangles, beach vibes, and way more mature content than the dreamy aesthetic suggests.

7.3

79%

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7.3/10

79%

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, this show knows what it is: glossy teen melodrama with attractive people having complicated feelings on the beach. The problem is that the Instagram-worthy aesthetic masks some genuinely mature content that parents should know about before their 13-year-old binges it.

The sexual themes are persistent and explicit (even if scenes cut away), the underage drinking is normalized, and the relationship dynamics romanticize jealousy and drama over healthy communication. Multiple parent reviews flag it as inappropriate for the Common Sense Media age rating, with some calling the source material 'borderline pornographic.'

If you've got a 16-year-old who's into romance dramas, fine—but this isn't the innocent beach read the marketing suggests. It's more mature than Outer Banks in some ways, and that's saying something. Have a conversation first about what they're walking into.

Age Fit

Common Sense Media says 14+, and that feels right for the lower bound—this is firmly older teen territory (15-17 is the sweet spot). The mature sexual content, drinking, and relationship dynamics are too much for middle schoolers, despite the dreamy marketing that might appeal to younger viewers.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

This is a teen romance with significant mature content that pushes beyond typical coming-of-age territory. Web search results confirm excessive sexual themes, underage drinking, profanity, and tense family dynamics. The love triangle premise isn't inherently unwholesome, but the execution leans heavily into drama and mature situations that don't model particularly healthy relationship dynamics for younger viewers. Common Sense Media rates it 14+, and parent reviews consistently flag it as inappropriate for younger teens.

Imaginative

This is a straightforward teen romance drama following well-worn genre conventions—love triangle, summer setting, first love angst. There's nothing particularly original or creative here; it's competently executed melodrama but doesn't invite curiosity, exploration, or fresh perspectives. The 'one perfect summer' premise is nostalgic comfort food, not imaginative storytelling.

Safe

Multiple red flags from parent reviews and content guides. IMDb parents guide notes 'moderate sex and nudity' with scenes that cut away but are still present. Web searches reveal 'excessive sexual themes,' underage drinking, substance use, and profanity throughout. Bark's review highlights 'complicated teen relationships, sex, partying, substance use.' One Facebook parent review describes the book source as 'borderline pornographic' and blurring consent lines. This isn't surprise violence, but it's definitely content that would be inappropriate for younger viewers stumbling onto it.

Enriching

There's some value in exploring first love, heartbreak, and family dynamics, and the show has decent critical reception (79% RT critics, 72 Metacritic). It can spark conversations about relationships and growing up. But the execution prioritizes melodrama over meaningful insight, and the romanticization of love triangles and teen partying doesn't offer particularly enriching life lessons. It's entertainment first, with minimal cognitive or ethical growth opportunities.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Decent production values and appealing summer aesthetic that captures the nostalgia of beach house summers
Can open conversations about first relationships, heartbreak, and navigating complicated feelings
Strong critical reception (79% RT critics) suggests competent storytelling for the target demographic
Explores family dynamics and grief alongside the romance elements

⚠

What to Watch For

Heavy sexual content throughout—scenes cut away but the themes are persistent and explicit for a teen show
Underage drinking and partying portrayed as normal summer fun without meaningful consequences
Love triangle dynamics that romanticize drama and jealousy rather than healthy communication
Profanity and mature language throughout
Parent reviews are nearly unanimous: this is NOT for middle schoolers despite the YA branding

Conversation Starters

"What do you think about how the characters handle jealousy and competition over the same person?"
"The show portrays a lot of partying—how realistic do you think the consequences are compared to real life?"
"Do you think the 'perfect summer romance' idea sets up unrealistic expectations about relationships?"
"How would you handle being in a love triangle situation differently than these characters?"

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