New movies roll out each year with a ton of hype behind them on social media. Kids don’t like to feel left behind on such trends as they eagerly wait to watch all the latest movies and shows. The hype behind this fresh content fails to consider that it might also attract the interest of underage children. Movies are not all made for kids, and this is also true for The Last of Us. Many parents have been seeking the “The Last of us parents guide” as their kids nag about watching this show. If you’re in a similar situation and your kid can’t stop asking you about this TV show, the following article is for you. You can decide whether or not to let your kid watch it after going through these details.
The Last of Us overview
The Last of Us is one of the best TV shows, featuring a post-apocalyptic world. The story underscores many themes, like survival, loyalty, morality, integrity, and more. It is the TV adaptation of a popular video game of the same name. However, you don’t have to be a fan of its video game to enjoy the show. Even though you can find many TV shows in the same genre, seeing the same narrative-driven approach in other content is rare. Everything from character development to accurately depicting the post-apocalyptic world is perfect.
Moreover, the special effects are top-tier in every sense. You’ll get hooked on this show after the first three episodes. Lastly, the stellar performance from the cast is like a cherry on top.
Why is The Last of Us rated TV MA?
The TV-MA rating for The Last of US might confuse some parents as they can’t determine why a video game adaptation is rated for a mature audience. However, if you watch the show yourself, you’ll find many factors that justify this rating. Here are a few reasons why The Last of Us is rated for adults only.
- Extreme violence.
- Graphic content.
- Death and corpses.
- Substance abuse.
- Profanity.
- Inappropriate slurs.
- Sexual content and nudity.
Reviewing this list of reasons should eliminate any further confusion. Even half of this content justifies the TV-MA rating and warrants restriction from innocent viewers. So, don’t let your kid sit beside you when you’re enjoying this show.
The Last of Us detailed content review
If you’re looking for the short answer around The Last of Us HBO parents guide, just don’t let your kids near this show. Even if you’re dealing with older teenagers, you can’t let them near this show. Until your child is above 17, they should only stick to T-rated movies. However, if you’re looking for a long answer, here are a few reasons The Last of US is unsuitable for your kid.
1. Violence & Gore
The Last of Us doesn’t hold back regarding gore content and fighting. Even though the action might seem appealing to you, your kid will get traumatized by seeing all the blood and dismembered limbs. Moreover, the gore doesn’t just stop at simple bullet holes. It showcases severed heads, organs, and much more. It will only hurt your child, and you should keep them away from this show.
2. Language in The Last of Us
The Last of Us has a cocktail of slurs, profanity, and inappropriate terms unsuitable for younger audiences. Even though this language adds more depth to the characters, the excessive use of slurs sometimes makes the show a bit bland.
3. Mature themes
Most of the time, kids should be kept away from severe concepts like death and the afterlife. Their minds are not ready to accept such facts. However, the premise is built upon severe topics regarding The Last of Us. Furthermore, actors’ complex emotions and existential dread are not something your child is prepared to process.
4. Sexual content
There are many sexual scenes within this series. Even though the emphasis on direct nudity is not that substantial, it has plenty of implied nudity. Your child can just as quickly get curious about mature content and then start his research on porn sights after watching this show.
5. Substance use
The harsh reality of the world forces many characters to rely on alcohol and cigarettes. Sadly, it sends a message to kids that whenever things get bleak, they can depend on alcohol and substance abuse to ignore their worries. Moreover, the glorified presentation and general acceptance of such behavior might make your kid think that substance abuse is a common thing.
6. Horror elements
A bit of horror can be good for your child as it helps them learn how to control their fears. However, the content within this TV show stretches the boundaries of horror and spooky presentation. There is a good chance that your child will end up getting traumatized after watching the infected creatures. Their realistic presentation within The Last of Us will develop unreasonable phobias within your child. So, choose another spooky movie for your child.
7. Interactive elements
Even though you had complete control over the character within the video game, you can’t do much to interact with the cast on the TV show. They follow the game’s primary storyline and don’t deviate much from the path. So, if you’ve finished the game already, don’t assume that the characters within this TV show will be waiting for your input.
8. Positive messages
Even though I have been grilling this TV show as it is unsuitable for children, you can still pick a few things from the series. It shows how resilience can help a person survive in dire circumstances. Moreover, it underscores the value of teamwork and the power of collaboration. So, there are a few good things that you can pick by watching this show.
Note: The pros of this show will never outweigh the cons, and you should always keep your child away from this type of content. The same positive messages are abundant in other kid-friendly TV shows. So, consider switching your viewing preferences to let your kid enjoy an appropriate TV show.
Parents guide: parental controls and safety in The Last of Us
The positive messages shown in The Last of Us can sway some parents. However, The Last of Us parents guide above clearly underscores that this show will do more harm than good. Yes, the good messages within the TV series can benefit your child. Still, you’re not because your child will be exposed to nudity and violence. Moreover, they might also pick up bad habits like drinking and smoking after watching this show. So, you must be vigilant and rely on tools like FlashGet Kids to protect your child from harmful content.
FlashGet Kids is a parental control tool that will help you block content and monitor your child’s phone. You can set it up quickly on the free trial and use an app blocker to limit your kid’s streaming options. From there, you can rely on tools like notification tracking and keyword detection within this app to get remote alerts. These alerts will let you know when your child is getting curious about mature content. You can intervene and stop your child from downloading such media.
It just takes a few minutes to set up FlashGet Kids, and you will never have to worry about your child’s digital safety. So, if you are concerned about your child being on their device alone all day, it is time to invest in a decent parental control app like FlashGet Kids.
Conclusion
The Last of Us is an excellent show if you’re of age. However, if you’re a parent and need a guide on whether or not to let your kid watch this show, the answer is a big “No.” Over ninety percent of this show’s content is for mature audiences; you should keep your child away from such content. Everything from sexual content to violence will only negatively impact your child. The horror scenes and jump scares of this movie might permanently traumatize them.So, to keep on the safe side, pick a kid-friendly film to watch with your child instead.
On the other hand, if your kid wants to watch this show on their phone, then you need to monitor and restrict their intentions. Relying on apps like FlashGet Kids can be especially useful in such situations. With this app, you can keep your child safe from lousy exposure. So, consider installing it on their devices and pairing it with your parental control dashboard. Hopefully, you’ll never have to worry about the same issues again.
FAQ
Is The Last of Us ok for a 12 year old?
The Last of Us is rated TV MA, which is unsuitable for a 12-year-old. You should only let your kids watch this show when they are above 17.
Is The Last of Us show family friendly?
The Last of Us show isn’t family friendly as it is built upon mature themes and inappropriate content. There is an abundance of sexual content and violence that might be disturbing to watch with your family.
Is The Last of Us OK for teens?
The Last of Us is not OK for teens and only for kids above 17. So, if your young teenager is nagging you about watching this show, tell them they will have to wait a couple more years.
