Can a 14 Year Old Watch Better Call Saul?
As an avid gamer and entertainment fanatic, this is a question I‘ve put a lot of thought into. In my opinion, Better Call Saul should be considered TV-MA and unsuitable for 14 year olds without parental guidance. Here‘s a deeper look at why:
It‘s Meant for Mature Audiences
Better Call Saul has earned its TV-MA rating through frequent profanity, violence, and references to the seedy illegal drug trade. This content is specifically intended to be viewed by adults, not 14 year olds who are still in middle school.
According to Common Sense Media‘s review guidelines, something rated TV-MA is "only suitable for mature audiences over the age of 17." Letting a 14 year old watch without discussions puts them at risk of misunderstanding complex themes.
There‘s Graphic Violence and Torture
Occasionally very graphic scenes depict violence and torture. In one especially horrifying moment early on, a character‘s decapitated head is shown on video.
Experts warn that exposure to fictional violence can desensitize developing brains and lead to increased aggression. A 14 year old isn‘t necessarily equipped to handle these disturbing images appropriately.
It Glorifies the Illegal Drug Trade
Walter White‘s meth empire is what the money-laundering lawyer Saul Goodman gets his start representing. Much of the show depicts criminals evading the law through legal loopholes and technicalities.
At 14, when many teens are first exposed to substances, seeing drug use condoned in this way could sway perspectives on what‘s acceptable. There‘s a risk of misunderstanding the actual consequences without thoughtful dialog to counterbalance the glamorized portrayals.
It Warrants Cautious Parental Supervision
- Should a 14 year old be banned outright from watching Better Call Saul? Not necessarily.
- Is unsupervised binge-watching a wise idea? Absolutely not.
Like any TV-MA show, Better Call Saul at minimum requires co-viewing guidance from an adult if a 14 year old is exposed at all. Doing so allows parents to pause scenes as needed, ask questions, and have open conversations about the complex mature themes depicted.
There are no hard-set rules, only judgments calls parents must make individually for their teen based on their maturity level. But the risks of misinterpretation exist, making total prohibition or attentive supervision the safest options.
Similar Series Share the Same Age Warnings
Better Call Saul is intended as a spin-off prequel to Breaking Bad – yet another widely acclaimed show carrying a TV-MA rating not suitable for early teens. Allowing youth under 17 to view either series freely poses comparable concerns.
That said, a 14 year old should not watch Breaking Bad either without guidance. Its content pushes even more boundaries with horrifically bloody violence and unrestrained drug abuse permeating Walt & Jesse‘s harrowing saga.
Mature Content in Other Popular Series
parents need to know…
| Series | Age Rating | Risk Factors |
|---|---|---|
| Stranger Things | TV-14 | Horror violence, gore |
| You | TV-MA | Language, sex, stalker theme |
| Peaky Blinders | TV-MA | Brutal violence, substance abuse |
*Data Source: Common Sense Media
Few shows that delve into the shadowy underworld like Better Call Saul are considered acceptable for middle schoolers. Counsel, context, and parental oversight are imperative with any program rated for more mature audiences.
The bottom line: I cannot endorse a 14 year old viewing Better Call Saul solo without guidance. There are simply too many risks they‘ll interpret the complex unethical scenarios without the proper judgment required. Parental co-viewing and open conversations make it slightly more permissible – but personally, I would still hesitate before approving unrestricted viewing.
What do you think about age limits on shows like these? I‘m curious to hear your perspectives in the comments! But when it comes to kids, it pays to err on the side of caution in my opinion.
