Overview
Heartstopper is a feel-good, LGBTQ+ teen romance show about two teen boys who fall in love and juggle all the joys and pitfalls of dating in high school. The show mostly follows Charlie, a nerdy, sensitive kid who starts to have a crush on Nick in the first episode.
Tons of Netflix watchers enjoy Heartstopper for its lovable characters and relatable storyline. The show artfully balances the sweet themes of teen romance, as well as more serious yet familiar issues such as bullying, homophobia, and more.
Parents should know that Heartstopper is an overall wholesome teen romance show, appropriate for ages around 13 and up. But just to get the full picture of the show before you allow your child to start watching, we put all the details you need to know here.
Harmful Content ❗️
Heartstopper is mostly centered on all the familiar plights of teen love, including unrequited crushes and first-times in a new relationship. As far as harmful content, there are a few areas parents will want to be aware of, which we’ll go over in the next sections. One of the main things parents should know is that the show does hit on some real-world issues like homophobia, transphobia, bullying, and self-harm.
Language
There are some instances of adult language, including “sh*t”, “d*ck”, and “a**”. There is also one scene where the slur “f*g” is used.
Sex
Considering it’s a teen romance show, you can expect things like kissing, flirting, hand-holding, and a few scenes of two teens lying in bed together with clothes on. The show does not get much more graphic than this. There are times when sex is implied in conversation, but again, nothing is explicitly shown.
Violence
Heartstopper is not a generally violent show, except for a couple of plot points that parents should know. In one scene, a character forcibly kisses Charlie and pushes him against a wall. Nick comes and shoves this character off of Charlie. It’s not overly violent but may be too intense for sensitive viewers. It does create a unique opportunity for parents to talk with their kids about the importance of consent and respecting other’s bodies.
Additionally, the show depicts Charlie experiencing bullying from the previous school year. He receives tons of hurtful messages from classmates that go as far as to say “I’d rather be dead than be gay.” Charlie tells Nick that the bullying led him to cut himself. The show tactfully portrays the severity of bullying and self-harm, without being overly graphic.
Positive Value 💫
Heartstopper is one of those shows where you can easily connect with the characters and get wrapped up in their stories just from the first episode. For teens watching, much of it is deeply relatable. The show hits on teens navigating relationships and friendships, identity struggles, and even how technology and social media play a role in all of it. And of course, it’s a well-done representation for teens who specifically identify with the LGBTQ+ community.
So, should my kid watch it?
We’d suggest this show for around ages 13 and up! As always, it’s important to consider your family’s own values and your child’s maturity level before allowing them to watch popular shows. We hope this review helped shed some light on whether Heartstopper is a fit for your family!
