Bridgerton parents' guide: Why you shouldn’t let your kids watch the Netflix series - even if it’s great, explained

Bridgerton is a period drama set in 1800s London and reflects the lifestyle and stories within the elite group of society. The show has been well-received for its meticulous production and design, and authentic storytelling of the long-forgotten time, while also bringing out some classic romance tales.

However, several parents are wondering if it is suitable for kids, or if they can even watch it with their kids around in the house. The answer is no. The show comes with extremely obscene scenes along with some intense violence and abuse. Therefore, the appropriate age to watch the show is indeed above 18 years of age.

Even the United States has rated the show as TV-MA, which means “Mature Audiences Only,” while the United Kingdom has rated it suitable for people above 15 years of age. Read on to know more.

Bridgerton parents' guide: Why you shouldn’t let your kids watch the Netflix series

The series features some explicit sexual content, including nudity and intimate scenes. IMDb rates the degree as “severe,” with some scenes of partial and complete nudity and visible intimate parts. Some scenes are shown inside the brothel and involve intimacy, all of which could be inappropriate for a child. The show involves sexual politics, multiple partners, and masturbation scenes. Upper-class women who are seen with a man are labelled as "loose" and are basically considered characterless. Men, on the other hand, usually engage with multiple women without being held accountable.

This is not all. Bridgerton comes with some violent and gory scenes, as well as portraying extreme violence and physical confrontations. IMDb rates its degree as mild, with a man shooting a pigeon to vent his anger, along with some fighting scenes that involve bleeding.

Bridgerton also features some curse words that were prevalent during the time. Alcohol is shown as an inevitable part of life and a symbol of status. Therefore, there is a high possibility that a kid might take it at face value or literally, without being aware of the context the show is portraying. The audience must be mature enough to process this information and understand that politics is being played, or that a woman’s choice doesn’t define her character.

Therefore, the show is best suited for adults and older teens, and it is strictly advisable not to watch it with kids around. If you are watching it with an older teen who expresses interest, parents should discuss the scenes and themes to make the child more aware of what they are seeing.

Here are some other show recommendations if you can't watch Bridgerton

Do not get disheartened. If you are looking for some period dramas that you can watch along with your kid, just to experience the older times, there are plenty of options to check out. You can also explore shows that dive into the world of vintage production design and classic stories.

Downton Abbey is a British show portraying the family of aristocrats, their servants and what goes on in their household.

Anne with an E presents a fresh take on the Anne of Green Gables story. It features an orphan girl who is adopted by a sister and brother, which changes her life as she navigates themes of belonging and the very idea of home.

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Little Women is another brilliant choice to dive into a long-gone world, as the story adapts Louisa May Alcott’s novel and showcases the lives of the four March sisters.

These options offer equally rich storytelling and historical settings without the mature content found in the case of Bridgerton.

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