Award-winning investigative pod, some graphic descriptions.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Violence & Scariness
a lot
Graphic descriptions, acts of violence such as murder and strangulation discussed. Some scary topics like kidnapping, police interrogation, imprisonment and more. Trigger warnings are given in episodes with this type of content.
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Some vulgar language from recordings of testimonies and discussions of cases, including quotes like, "I'm gonna kill that bitch." Occasional use of more intense language like "f--k" and "s--t".
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.
Episodes begin with a brief sponsored advertisement for companies such as Google.
Educational Value
some
Listeners are invited to think critically about the facts, evidence, and events surrounding criminal cases. May be more educational for those interested in criminal justice, journalism and the court system.
Positive Messages
some
Episodes encourage the audience to use their own curiosity and problem solving in thinking about the cases and others that may be similar or unsolved. Some negative messaging from the cases themselves when quoting testimonies. Graphic, violent, and hateful content is discussed.
Positive Role Models
some
Host and journalist Sarah Koenig promotes integrity in her journalistic work in every episode. Always making sure to triple check her facts with investigative reporters, experts, and other credible sources, she's diligent about not spreading harmful misinformation. She encourages critical and curious thinking while also acknowledging that these are heavy and serious topics. She leads with true curiosity and interest in the topic at hand.
Diverse Representations
some
Although most episodes don't focus on explicit topics of diversity and inclusion, people from many different ethnic and religious backgrounds are represented in episodes. Occasional mentions of the unique experiences different groups face within the criminal justice system, especially when it comes to unfair treatment and profiling.
Parents Need to Know that Serial is an award-winning investigative podcast originally known for its reporting on the 1999 murder case of Hae Min Lee, sparking true crime discussions everywhere as host Sarah Koenig got people questioning the conviction of Adnan Syed. Now, Syed has been released from prison and charges have been dropped - many believe because of this podcast. The show continued under the same name for two more seasons -- season two explores the case of an American soldier charged with desertion after being held by the Taliban for five years, season 3 looks into several cases in the Justice center complex. The podcast is a great example of investigative journalism and dives deep into the corruption and injustices of the U.S. justice system. Parents should know the controversies and praises of this podcast before letting kids listen alone. Episodes encourage critical thinking and using curiosity, but some could be too graphic or violent, especially if kids are motivated to do their own research into this case and others. The first season especially has graphic descriptions of murder and a murder crime scene. Occasional use of swear words like "bitch", "s--t" and "f--k" in recordings of testimonies.
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What’s It About?
SERIAL is a true crime podcast that dives into a different case each season. It's most well known for season one, where the conviction and then exoneration of Adnan Syed in the 1999 murder case of Hae Min Lee is investigated. Other seasons follow the complicated case of Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl and his time imprisoned by the Taliban, as well as a Wyoming cold case, and everyday cases in Cleveland, Ohio to critique the problems with the criminal justice system. Episodes follow journalist Sarah Koenig as she investigates various criminal cases, leads that went unfollowed, suspects that walked away, and witnesses that went unheard, all in hopes of reaching true justice for the victims and families. Famously, it's believed that the investigative work done in this podcast was the catalyst to Adnan Syed's exoneration in 2022.
Sarah Koenig combines investigative reporting with meaningful, entertaining storytelling that keeps the audience engaged, curious, and critical. Constant use of fact checking through external sources and experts, trigger warnings when necessary, and delicate discussions of hard topics make Serial a great listen for those interested in criminal justice while also wanting ethical reporting. Sparking the popularity and growth of the true crime podcast genre, some could see Serial and other true crime podcasts as glamorizing or exploiting victims' stories and experiences.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how in the Serial podcast host Sarah Koenig is intentional about using expert testimonies and turning to credible outside sources as she crafts her episodes. Why is it important to use credible sources and experts in research, writing, and reporting? What is misinformation and how can you spot it? How do you define a credible source?
Episodes demonstrate integrity as they pursue truth through honesty, research, and moral values. What does integrity mean to you and why is it and important character strength, especially when it comes to investigative work?
Host Sarah Koenig explains how the cases she discusses peak her interest and curiosity, which is why she does deeper research and reporting. What peaks your curiosity and how might this podcast encourage curiosity in others?
What were some things you learned about the U.S. judicial system that you didn't know before? Do you think it's a fair system for everyone? Why or why not?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
suggesting a diversity update.
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
By CrystalStone
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based on child development research. How do we rate?
