American Teen

Why Is American Teen Rated PG-13?

Considering this is a documentary with real life characters rather than actors, the film broaches some sensitive subjects including teen sex, alcohol use and bullying. While most activity is limited to onscreen kissing, teens discuss sexual activities, email pictures of a topless classmate and use crude terms for female body parts. Although some teens are shown drinking in their community, one boy travels to Mexico with his adult brother whose goal is to get the high school student drunk. Lewd dancing, digitally obscured female nudity and irresponsible, underage alcohol use are shown. Students vandalize a home, party late into the night and engage in girl-to-girl kissing. Teasing, prescription drug use and the discussion of suicide are also portrayed, along with brief depictions of video game violence. Terms of Deity, name-calling, vulgarities, repeated sexual hand gestures and strong expletives (some of which are bleeped) are used.