Never Have I Ever parents guide: What you should know before letting your teen watch the Netflix series

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan in Never Have I Ever (Image via Netflix)
Maitreyi Ramakrishnan in Never Have I Ever (Image via Netflix)

Never Have I Ever is a coming-of-age story of high school teenagers navigating life. The show is written by Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher.

Devi Vishwakumar, the protagonist, is an Indian-American teenager struggling with identity and grief. The death of her father affected her extremely and he became her guiding spirit. The show is emotional and can become too real sometimes. So parents may want to take a hard look before their teenagers watch the Netflix series.

Never Have I Ever is TV-14 rated. So it's appropriate for audiences 14 and older. The show doesn't hold anything back when it comes to adult subjects. There are a few times when they discuss s*x and attraction out in the open. Nothing gets too graphic. But the show makes it all real.

It's designed for teenagers who are still finding themselves. But that also means that it initiates some discussion that may be better addressed with some guidance.


Never Have I Ever: What parents should know before letting their teen watch the Netflix series

Never Have I Ever is a beloved Netflix show. It became a huge hit when it first dropped. Viewers loved it for being funny and relatable. But some people also loved how it touches on grief and emotional trauma. Devi’s story begins with the loss of her father. That loss shapes her actions throughout the series.

The show portrays therapy sessions and moments of panic. It also shows us the ups and downs of coping. This can be intense for younger viewers. However, it can also be a good opportunity for parents to talk to their teenage children about grief. They can discuss how grief really looks, and how differently people deal with it and heal from it.

Never Have I Ever also gets real about relationships and the curiosity one feels during teenage years. Devi and her friends talk about crushes, s*x, and identity in ways that are typical for high school life today. There are a few kissing scenes and plenty of suggestive humor. But there's nothing graphic. This kind of content can lead to healthy conversations between parents and teens about boundaries, consent, and emotional maturity. The show doesn’t glamorize risky behavior. But it doesn’t ignore it either, which makes it feel authentic.

Never Have I Ever also stands apart from the rest of the teenage dramas out there because of its cultural representation. It highlights the life of an Indian-American teenager who has to keep up with tradition and also be independent. It is, indeed, refreshing to see diversity on screen.

However, there are some exaggerated moments meant for comedy. The series celebrates culture and family. It also shows how tough it can be for first-generation teens to fit in. Watching the series together can open up great conversations about identity, belonging, and respect for different backgrounds.

Hence, the series is not all humor. It also has heart and honesty. It’s one of those shows that teens will enjoy because of how relatable it is. Parents will appreciate it for the emotional depth it portrays. If your teen is mature enough to handle topics like grief and relationships, this Netflix series can actually bring you closer.


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Edited by Parishmita Baruah