Is The Traitors suitable for kids now it’s moved to 8pm?
With series four airing earlier on BBC One, parents are asking if The Traitors is now OK for kids to watch.
The Traitors is back, and if your household watched episode one of series four last night, you may already have had the same conversation as thousands of other parents across the UK. Can the kids stay up and watch it too?
The BBC has moved the hit reality show to an earlier 8pm slot for series four, kicking off last night. It’s a clear shift from its previous post-watershed scheduling and one that’s prompted plenty of discussion among families, especially those with tweens desperate to join in.
Here’s what parents, media experts and the BBC itself say about whether The Traitors is suitable for kids.
What’s changed for The Traitors series four?
Series four sees 22 contestants descend on the Scottish castle under the watchful eye of Claudia Winkleman, competing to win up to £120,000. While the core format remains familiar, with missions, banishments and nightly “murders”, this year introduces a major new twist.
Producers have promised “even more twists, turns, secrets, epic missions, deception, banishments and, of course, murders aplenty”, and for the first time, there is a secret Traitor whose identity is hidden not just from the Faithful, but from viewers at home too. The move adds an extra layer of mystery to the game, with audiences left guessing alongside the contestants about who is really pulling the strings inside the castle.
The biggest change for families is perhaps the schedule. Episodes are airing earlier than ever:
- Episode 1, Thursday 1 January at 8pm
- Episode 2, Friday 2 January at 8pm
- Episode 3, Saturday 3 January at 7.45pm
Each episode is also available on BBC iPlayer after broadcast.
Does the earlier time mean it’s more family friendly?
Many parents have taken the earlier slot as a signal that the BBC sees The Traitors as more of a shared viewing experience.
On The Rest Is Entertainment podcast, hosts Richard Osman and Marina Hyde discussed the move, suggesting it reflects how families already watch the show together. One host described the shift as “just the confirmation” that The Traitors has become a “multi-generational obsession”, adding that 8pm makes it easier to watch as a family before bedtimes take over.
They also pointed out that watching live matters to children, who enjoy going into school the next day to talk about what happened.
What do parents actually think?
A long-running Mumsnet discussion gives a good insight into how families feel, particularly those with children aged nine to eleven.
One parent reassured others, saying: “I’d say it’s suitable! A bit of swearing but otherwise fine.”
Another explained why it felt very different to other reality TV: “There’s nothing like the level of sex or innuendo of, say, Love Island. It’s just about a group of people doing tasks together, getting on, falling out and trying to suss out which of them is the traitor.”
Several parents said their children loved it. One wrote: “My just turned 11-year-old watched the last series and would declare it as one of his favourite TV shows and he is on the sensitive side, so definitely not unsuitable.”
Others mentioned younger viewers too, with one parent sharing: “My friend’s nine-year-old loves it and has watched the UK, US and AUS version. It’s definitely suitable, no sex, violence, despite people being ‘murdered’, very little swearing.”
What about swearing and intensity?
One of the biggest changes for series four is that the show has been edited for its earlier, pre-watershed slot. Swearing has been noticeably reduced, with viewers reporting that strong language has largely been removed compared to previous series.
Parents watching with children say there may still be the odd mild swear word, but nothing frequent or unexpected.
The bigger consideration for younger viewers is the emotional intensity rather than the language. The banishments, accusations and confrontations can feel tense, particularly for sensitive children, and the word “murder” is used throughout, even though nothing graphic is ever shown on screen.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that international versions, especially the US series, have drawn criticism from parents for stronger language. The UK series four edit reflects the BBC’s decision to position The Traitors as earlier evening, shared family viewing.
What do official age guides say?
Common Sense Media has rated previous seasons of The Traitors as suitable for ages 13 and up. Their guidance points to themes of deception, lying, alcohol use and strong language.
They note that while there is little in the way of sex or romance, the show can become uncomfortable as contestants take accusations very personally and tensions rise.
This doesn’t mean younger children cannot watch, but it does suggest that parental judgment and watching together are important.
Why some parents feel it’s a good watch for tweens
Some parents actively welcome The Traitors as shared viewing, saying it encourages critical thinking and discussion.
Mums have described it as getting children’s “brains working”, helping them spot manipulation, understand group dynamics and talk about trust, fairness and teamwork.
Watching together also allows parents to pause, explain and reassure when emotions run high.
So, should your kids watch The Traitors?
For many families, The Traitors feels suitable for children around nine to eleven, particularly when watched together. There’s no sex, no real violence and - so for this season - no swearing, but there is psychological tension and emotional conflict.
If your child is sensitive or easily frightened, it may be worth previewing an episode first. For others, the earlier 8pm slot makes it easier to turn The Traitors into a family ritual, complete with guessing the Traitors and debating banishments together.
As ever, you know your child best, but the BBC’s scheduling shift suggests this is no longer just grown-up TV.
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Authors
Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.