Tween/teen peers talk honestly about puberty & adolescence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Violence & Scariness
some
There's an episode dedicated to how mass shootings are affecting adolescents in the United States. Podcast hosts have an opinionated discussion about gun laws and issues surrounding law enforcement. This episode begins with a warning.
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.
There are candid discussions surrounding sex and dating. Conversations surround topics like sexual identity, periods, dating and birth control. There are also some jokes with sexual innuendos (ex. gray sweatpants season).
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.
Episodes focus on a diverse group of middle school girls who are opinionated and well-informed advocates for women's rights and inclusivity. The guests on the show provide honest and courageous perspectives on topics that are typically taboo to discuss, but relevant to tweens and teens. Overall, students featured on this podcast model progressive mindsets that encourage critical thinking. The young women on the show often invite some of the young men at their school to chime in on topics and to help them see perspectives like sexism and gender inequality women face in society. Feature healthy and important debates between peers.
Positive Messages
a lot
Each episode has a foundation of activism, encouraging listeners to be courageous about tackling relevant topics most middle school students face (navigating puberty, periods, gender inequality, gender stereotypes). Middle school students have courageous discussions about topics these topics and sometimes disagree with their peers and have healthy debates. Hosts share their perspectives on access to sexual healthcare, gender identity, mass acts of violence and more. Through these discussions, critical thinking and calls to activism are encouraged. The show encourages communication between peers and from tweens and teens as well as compassion.
Diverse Representations
a lot
The middle schoolers featured in thie school are from Bronx Prep Middle School, which serves underserved kids in New York right outside of Harlem, to help them get a better education and have the opportunity to excel in high school and go to college. The kids on this podcast represent a wide variety of underrepresented communities (ie. Black, Muslim, Hispanic, Indian, LGBTQ+). The podcast is intentional in honestly discussing topics related to diversity and inclusion. Topics range from natural hair as it relates to race and culture, how those from Muslim and Jewish communities feel during Christmas time, and why students use the word gay as an insult. The young women who host the show also feature guests from different backgrounds such as middle school boys, students from a school in Kenya and more. Some episodes also include discussions surrounding sexual identity, religion, culture, dating, and gender identity. Young women openly discuss their experiences going through puberty and getting their periods in a candid and honest way that's empowering.
Teaches about activism, sexual healthcare access and critical thinking through discussions between middle school peers. They talk about topics they are currently learning at school and in life, specifically surrounding puberty, body changes, social emotional topics and topics that relate to what's going on in the world and how it relates to their lives (immigration, racism, mental health). Episodes aren't necessarily an educational resource, but instead a starting point for important discussion relevant for tweens and teens.
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Sssh! Periods is a podcast created by tween girls at Bronx Prep Middle School in New York, that candidly and courageously tackles the subject of periods, puberty, and topics that affect tweens and teens in today's world. Topics discussed include, period poverty, women's birth rights and period tax, and much more. Strong themes of compassion, communication and courage can be felt throughout each episode as middle school girls (and sometimes middle school boy guests) have honest discussion about their experiences and opinions. An episode dedicated to how mass shootings are affecting adolescents in the United States may be difficult for some, but it does include a trigger warning at the beginning of the episode. Some episodes also include discussions surrounding sexual identity, religion, culture, dating, and gender identity. There are candid discussions about sex, birth control and dating. While guests and hosts are honest and opinionated, parents should keep in mind that the discussions are lead by middle school students and may require supportive follow up discussion with an adult.
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What’s It About?
SSSH! PERIODS is a podcast created by seven eighth grade students at Bronx Prep Middle School. Each episode features middle school students having courageous conversations about subjects like periods, gender identity, birth control and more. It won NPR's Student Podcast challenge and has been featured in numerous outlets including Teen Vogue, Afropunk and the Today Show. In addition, through their platform, the students of Sssh! Periods were able to create a partnership with Proctor and Gamble and LOLA where they provided 60,000 pads to Bronx Prep Middle School and Bronx Prep High School.
These middle school students tackle brave conversations that many adults would be hesitant to have on a public platform. Sssh! Periods can develop critical thinking skills and inspire activism that could change the taboo nature of these topics for future generations. It's empowering to hear peers express their opinions on topics that directly affect them and have respectful discussions and debates with one another.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Sssh! Periods, centers around conversations between tween peers. How did it feel hearing kids around the same age talking about topics that affect them? Do you feel you have peers you can to about these topics? Come up with some ideas of how to organize peer-driven discussions at school or outside of school with kids your age.
What do you think needs to happen to change the taboo narrative around puberty, periods and women's rights? Can you research other forms of media for teens and tweens trying to break this stigma?
Courage, compassion and communication are major themes in this podcast. Why are these important character strengths? How can you use these character strengths when having difficult discussions with friends?
The tweens on this podcast mostly talk amongst themselves about their experiences and topics they can relate to. Do you think it's as accessible to discuss these topics with adults? What makes approaching these topics difficult? Can you pinpoint the adult or adults in your life you feel comfortable and safe going to with questions about puberty, periods, and other topics from this podcast?
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
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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.
