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Best TV programs for kids, teens and families include Amazon, Netflix shows

Mike Snider
USA TODAY
A production still from the Netflix series 'Dragons: Race to the Edge.'

Media watchdog group Common Sense Media is bestowing its seal of approval on more than two dozen TV programs for kids, tweens, teens and families.

Among the 25 programs given the Common Sense Seal for TV are six Netflix TV series, one series each from Amazon and YouTube, and many from traditional broadcast and cable networks. Winners include Dragons: Race to the Edge and The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (both on Netflix), Marvel's Agent Carter (ABC), Thomas & Friends: The Adventure Begins TV special (PBS), Wishenpoof! (Amazon Prime), Disney TV movie Descendants, and Wonder Quest (YouTube).

Hayley Atwell in the season finale of "Marvel's Agent Carter."

"The proliferation of platforms and cable networks has made it a very complex media landscape for families to navigate," said Common Sense CEO and founder Jim Steyer in a statement. "There's a lot of content being created, but the quality isn't always there. For families with young teens especially, the options, this year, are few and far between."

Common Sense Media assessed more than 300 movies and TV episodes released this year, taking into account overall quality based on entertainment value, engagement, impact, worthwhile themes, messages, and role models.

Ellie Kemper, left, and Jane Krakowski in Netflix's "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt," returning for a second season Feb. 19 on Netflix.

Netflix gathered more awards than any other streaming service, channel or network. "We're honored to be in such great company," said Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos in a statement. "We're proud of the diverse slate we've created for families, from Puffin Rock and Dinotrux for younger kids to Project MC2 and Dragons: Race to the Edge for older kids, and even Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, which both teens and their parents are loving."

Most of the award winners (11) were for preschoolers (age 2–4). The complete list:

Puffin Rock (Netflix, for age 3)
H20: Mermaid Adventures (Netflix, age 7)
Dinotrux (Netflix, age 7)
Project Mc2 (Netflix, age 7)
Dragons: Race to the Edge (Netflix, age 8)
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Netflix, age 14)
Bad Hair Day (TV movie, Disney, age 6)
Descendants (TV movie, Disney, age 6)
Teen Beach 2 (TV movie, Disney, age 8)
Super Wings (Sprout, age 3)
Clangers (Sprout, age 3)
Nina's World (Sprout, age 3)
Fresh Off the Boat (ABC, age 10)
Marvel's Agent Carter (ABC, age 12)
Thomas & Friends: The Adventure Begins (TV special, PBS, age 3)
Wallykazam!: The Big Goblin Problem (TV special, Nickelodeon, age 3)
Fresh Beat Band of Spies  (Nick Jr., age 4)
Miles from Tomorrowland (Disney Jr., age 4)
Goldie and Bear (Disney Jr., age 3)
Wishenpoof! (Amazon Prime, age 4)
Wonder Quest (YouTube, age 4)
Good Witch (Hallmark Channel, age 8)
We Bare Bears (Cartoon Network, age 8)
I Am Jazz  (TLC, age 12)
Book of Negroes (TV miniseries, BET, age 15)

Follow Mike Snider on Twitter: @Mike Snider

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