Outer Banks season 4 parents guide: `Is it safe for kids and teens to watch?

Outer Banks season 4 parents guide: `Is it safe for kids and teens to watch?

As a seasoned gamer and parent who has navigated the treacherous waters of entertainment ratings for decades, I must say that the arrival of Outer Banks season 4 on Netflix is both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, I’m thrilled to dive back into the world of the Pogues and their never-ending quest for treasure; on the other, I’m wary of the TV-MA rating that comes with it.


The fourth season of the popular series Outer Banks has made its debut on Netflix, but in an unusual move; instead of releasing all episodes at once, Netflix will be airing it in two parts. As of now, you can watch the first five episodes, with the remaining five episodes set to premiere on November 7th.

Season 4 starts by filling us in on the Pogues’ activities following their discovery of gold at El Dorado and their return to the OBX, before a 18-month time skip that took place in the season 3 finale when they were lauded for their find and offered the chance to hunt for Blackbeard’s treasure. If you assumed that the Pogues would stay out of action after finding El Dorado, you’d be wrong. It doesn’t take much time before the group embarks on a new adventure, facing challenges as they try to stay afloat while searching for another hidden fortune – this time under different conditions and with fresh dangers lurking nearby.

As a new season rolls in, viewers might be excited to jump right in, but parents could be questioning if it’s suitable for their younger audience members. After all, this season has earned a TV-MA rating, which is typically assigned to shows meant for adults and potentially not suitable for those under 17. This rating often stems from explicit content like sex, strong language, or violent scenes. So, the question arises: Why does Outer Banks season 4 carry a TV-MA rating? And is it still enjoyable for younger fans? Here’s what you need to know about the season.

There is no nudity in Outer Banks season 4

To begin with, let’s discuss one aspect that contributes to the TV-MA rating for Outer Banks season 4, which is that it doesn’t contain any explicit nudity or sex scenes. However, there are instances throughout the season where romantic involvement between characters is suggested, such as kissing scenes, and at times, we observe characters sharing passionate kisses.

It’s worth mentioning that since numerous episodes unfold at the beach or near water, it’s quite expected to find several male characters without shirts in certain scenes, while the females are frequently dressed in swimwear or bikinis.

Outer Banks season 4 parents guide: `Is it safe for kids and teens to watch?

Language and violence are the key reasons Outer Banks is rated TV-MA

It’s probably not unexpected that “Outer Banks” has a TV-MA rating because it includes frequent use of strong language, with numerous swear words scattered throughout the show, as well as depictions of graphic violence in its episodes.

In terms of the program’s profanity, it’s worth noting that the characters don’t frequently use strong or offensive language. If you’re comfortable with your adolescents watching shows that occasionally incorporate such words, you should find the language used in this particular show suitable.

In the thrilling world of Outer Banks season 4, there are instances where the action gets intense and graphic – scenes that might be challenging or inappropriate for younger gamers like me. So, it’s essential to keep an eye on age recommendations before diving into these high-stakes adventures.

In each installment, two characters experience underwater assaults and their assailant gets struck by a speargun, resulting in visible blood; one character gets kidnapped, held at gunpoint; during an episode, characters grapple as a knife is brandished and a scuffle breaks out involving the choking of a female character close to being strangled; also, in one episode, a character meets their demise after a fight over a firearm unfolds. These incidents serve to illustrate the type of intense situations you may encounter throughout the season.

Outer Banks season 4 parents guide: `Is it safe for kids and teens to watch?

Outer Banks season 4 does include depictions of drug and alcohol consumption 

In the fourth series of Outer Banks, the use and misuse of drugs and alcohol are showcased throughout various episodes. These depictions include instances of underage drinking, as well as adult characters consuming alcohol. Additionally, there are hints that certain characters may use marijuana, with one character growing it in their garden. In the opening episode of the season, marijuana is suggested to be a negotiating tool and there’s a strong implication that a character might be under its influence.

There are some triggering moments as well in season 4

Finally, there are some triggering moments for certain audiences that might be upsetting to watch. 

Previously noted, one pivotal moment involves a female character being choked in a struggle against her captor, which might be distressing for individuals with past experiences of abuse. Furthermore, the series contains scenes involving substance abuse with alcohol and drugs, which could potentially be upsetting for certain viewers.

For animal lovers, there is a very triggering scene in the show’s third episode in which a character drives their jeep on the beach directly over the path of a turtle hatch. This wreckless action leads to the death of a baby sea turtle and the sea turtle’s dead body is shown on screen which might be upsetting for audiences, especially younger audiences. There is also a scene in episode 5 in which two characters find themselves trapped in a tunnel and are swarmed by rats. If rats are triggering, you might be disturbed by the episode which features many rats on screen as well as rat noises used within the episode. 

Ultimately, certain situations might cause discomfort for people with claustrophobia, and those who fear water may find these instances particularly challenging or upsetting.

Verdict: Outer Banks should be okay for teens but not kids

The fourth season of Outer Banks is generally appropriate for teenagers, even those on the younger side. However, due to intense violence and mature themes, it may not be suitable for children under 13. Older teens should find the new season appealing, as well as older viewers aged 17 and above.

Outer Banks season 4 part 1 is streaming now on Netflix.

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2024-10-10 16:28

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