TV series · 2007 · Comedy
Is The Big Bang Theory OK for kids?
Physicists Leonard and Sheldon find their nerd-centric social circle with pals Howard and Raj expanding when aspiring actress Penny moves in next door.
At a glance
Kids preset · gentle limits for younger children
Not a fit
Under the Kids preset it goes over the limits: sexual content is moderate, sexualised imagery is moderate, kissing & romance is moderate and 5 more.
Teen-safe preset · room for action and drama, nothing explicit
Not a fit
Under the Teen-safe preset it goes over the limits: sexual content is moderate.
Every family draws the line differently. Set your own rules and see whether The Big Bang Theory fits yours, topic by topic. Free.
Set your own rulesWhat's in it, topic by topic
Sexual & romantic
- NudityNone
IMDb lists no explicit nudity; characters appear only in underwear or in bed, with provocative clothing.
Sources: imdb.com
- Sexual contentModerate
Very frequent sexual talk and innuendo, including masturbation and sperm references and episodes about getting someone to have sex; no sex scenes.
Sources: imdb.com, commonsensemedia.org
- Sexualised imageryModerate
Penny often wears suggestive or provocative outfits, e.g. a bra and mini skirt with cleavage; no source describes camera lingering.
Sources: imdb.com
- Kissing & romanceModerate
Romance is a central storyline: Leonard and Penny date, break up and marry, with other couples forming; no heavy make-out scenes are described.
Sources: pluggedin.com
Language & behaviour
- ProfanityModerate
'Bitch' and 'ass' in most episodes, plus asshole, bastard, whore, slut and one 'dick'; mostly mild words.
Sources: imdb.com, commonsensemedia.org
- Vulgarity & crude humourMild
Setting aside sexual gags, little non-sexual crude humor is described; the only non-sexual crude item is a hospital mishap played for laughs.
Sources: imdb.com
- Verbal abuse & bullyingModerate
Raj is a frequent target of mockery, and Penny increasingly belittles Leonard in front of friends; bullying is discussed.
Sources: commonsensemedia.org, looper.com
- Discrimination & hateModerate
Recurring stereotype jokes about Raj's Indian heritage, a Jewish mother, 'geeky men' and 'dumb blondes'; played for laughs, later toned down.
Sources: commonsensemedia.org, looper.com, cheatsheet.com
- Disrespectful behaviour & role modelsMild
Raj often acts inappropriately when drunk; sources show friendships valued, and no glorified defiance is described.
Sources: commonsensemedia.org
- Dangerous imitable actsMild
One episode has Sheldon given his mother's Valium in warm milk and appearing intoxicated; otherwise little risky behavior is reported.
Sources: imdb.com
Violence & intensity
- Violence & goreMild
Violence is infrequent and comical, such as a mild slap and a knife magic trick; confrontations are never shown.
Sources: imdb.com, commonsensemedia.org
- Frightening & intense scenesNone
IMDb voters rate frightening content None for the series; one episode has mild zombie-like behavior.
Sources: imdb.com
- Self-harm & suicideMild
Stuart mentions in one episode that his therapist killed himself; it is played as black comedy with Sheldon joking.
Sources: tvtropes.org
- Death & griefMild
Professor Proton's death affects Sheldon in one episode, with his father's past death referenced; sources do not mention animals.
Sources: looper.com
- Alcohol, drugs & smokingMild
Occasional social drinking and rare smoking; Raj sometimes drunk, and IMDb rates substance content Mild.
Sources: imdb.com
Topics some families want to know about
- LGBTQ+ representationBackground
No LGBTQ+ regulars; one episode has a lesbian bride for Raj, and gay-coded jokes about Raj and Howard recur.
Sources: medium.com
- Religious contentSupporting
Sheldon's devout Christian mother prays and takes the group to church; Sheldon is skeptical, and science versus faith recurs.
Sources: bigbangtheory.fandom.com
- Occult & magicBackground
Only passing supernatural references, such as Penny's belief in psychics, ghosts and astrology; no actual magic or occult practice shown.
Sources: tvtropes.org, imdb.com
- Political & ideological themesNo info
We couldn't find enough about this topic yet.
- Products & advertisingNo info
We couldn't find enough about this topic yet.
- Messages & valuesMixed
Values friendship and intelligence, but much humor relies on stereotypes and innuendo, so the messaging is mixed.
Sources: commonsensemedia.org
How we rate
We read parent guides, reviews and official ratings for every title and rate 21 topics, from kissing and profanity to violence, frightening scenes, substance use and the messages a story leaves behind, each with a reason and its sources. Our team verifies what the sources leave out. You set a limit per topic, and every title gets a clear verdict against your rules, not someone else's age label.