The most scandalous teen moments in TV and film history

Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990–2000)

This Fox drama was the first of its kind, creating the blueprint for the modern prime-time teen soap. While it went on to have many storylines dealing with then-taboo topics like the AIDS crisis, the first moment that had parents up in arms was when Brenda (Shannen Doherty) lost her virginity toward the end of the first season — a moment that happened off screen and has now become one of the tropes of many teen TV shows. —M.J.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003)

While Buffy never strayed away from controversial topics — especially when it came to LGBTQ+ themes — it never caused as much of a stir as when its third season episode “Earshot” was shelved in response to the 1999 Columbine school shooting. The episode involves Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) suspecting Jonathan (Danny Strong) plans to shoot students from the school’s watchtower, but learning he was actually planning on shooting himself. —M.J.

Cruel Intentions (1999)

The raunchy, rated-R teen drama walked a fine line of is-it-or-is-it-not-incest with its Machiavellian stepsiblings, Kathryn (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and Sebastian (Ryan Phillippe), who spend most of the film wanting to bang each other — going so far as to make a bet that could seal the deal.

Arriving a few years after another popular teen film that dabbled in a stepsibling romance (*cough* Clueless *cough*), Cruel Intentions unapologetically stepped up its scandalous nature in a brash, right-in-your-face fashion. —James Mercadante

Degrassi: The Next Generation (2001–2015)

Degrassi: The Next Generation is known for having covered just about every teen issue under the sun, but the one subject that initially got the season 3 episode “Accidents Will Happen” banned from airing was Manny (Cassie Steele) getting an abortion. After two years, it was eventually allowed to air in the U.S. —M.J.

Euphoria (2019–present)

Before it even aired, the opening of the HBO show’s second episode, in which around 30 penises appear on screen, was used as an indication of just how risqué the series planned on being, much to the chagrin of parents everywhere. —M.J.

Gossip Girl (2007–2012)

Continuing the CW’s rich history of making parents worry about the teen shows their kids are watching, the network advertised the second half of the first season with shots of their teenage characters having sex. The posters, emblazoned with “OMFG,” were eventually replaced by posters advertising season 2 with quotes about how scandalous the show is. —M.J.

Heathers (1989)

Not too shocking that a film in which two fed-up teens go on a popular kid-killing spree did not go over well with audiences at first. What is surprising is that this pitch-black comedy has become one of the definitive teen movies of the ’80s.

Its scandalous nature lives on, as it spawned an Off Broadway musical, and Riverdale centered an entire episode around it in its third season — ’twas “Big Fun.” Planned TV incarnations have been ultimately scrapped, however, out of respect for multiple mass shootings that occurred around each time it was planned to air. —M.J.

Kids (1995)

Kids is just about as dark as teen movies can get, using mostly underaged, first-time actors to stage scenes that involve graphic depictions of sex and drug use. Even without showing any nudity, the film still managed to get an NC-17 rating upon release. —M.J.

Dawson’s Creek (1998–2003)

With a reference to masturbation in the pilot, Dawson’s Creek came out of the gate as one of the edgiest teen shows that had been on the air at that point. Still, the historical moment that caused controversy both inside and outside the writers’ room was the decision to air the first romantic kiss between men on network television in the season 3 finale, “True Love.” —M.J.

Thirteen (2003)

Thirteen, co-written by its director Catherine Hardwicke and star Nikki Reed, startled some viewers with its frank depiction of self-mutilation, drug use, and sexual activity among teens. When asked by EW in 2003 if young girls should be allowed to see the movie, Reed said, “If girls are going through it, they should at least be able to watch it.” —M.J.

The O.C. (2003–2007)

There had been lesbian kisses on television before Marissa (Mischa Barton) and Alex (Olivia Wilde) finally kissed in the season 2 episode “The Lonely Hearts Club,” but none quite as passionate or pivotal to a teen show. While the storyline launched Wilde’s fame, it also put her into the history of stunt-casted lesbian and bisexual characters. —M.J.

Pretty Little Liars (2010–2017)

There are plenty of “I’m-just-gonna-pretend-that-didn’t-happen” moments on this soapy teen drama series, but none have soured quite like the alarming relationship between underage high school student Aria (Lucy Hale) and her twentysomething English teacher, Ezra (Ian Harding).

From the pilot to the series finale, the romantic pairing was treated as endgame — sending a slippery message to its teen viewers that grooming is “fine,” as long as the predator has a pretty face. —J.M.

Skins (British series, 2007–2013; U.S. version, 2011)

Skins is another project where every iteration has managed to offend someone. The show, which freely included teen sex and drug use, caused a scandal by airing unedited on BBC America and almost caused a child pornography case when the Parents Television Council encouraged an investigation before it was even launched. —M.J.