Before being broadcast, the program received bad publicity as it was seen to be immoral to allow inexperienced teenagers to look after real babies.

Teen courts allows teenagers who commit minor offenses to be tried by other teenagers, and they follow the concept of restorative justice.

The story set in near-future where artificial intelligence has been blended into automobiles, allowing young teenagers to drive them.

"The evidence is mounting that allowing teenagers to get off the learner phase sooner than they would otherwise leads to a higher crash rate," he said.

Is it better to allow teenagers to drink at home than worry about them driving drunk?

The phones will have "smart skins" - replaceable taco-shell-shaped faceplates with computer chips that allow teenagers to change functions as well as the phone's appearance.

Adults (which also allows teenagers) have only one category, but results are separate for men and women.

Most said they disliked punishing families with truant children, saying the policy would allow unruly teenagers to hurt their siblings.

It is families like ours, Ms. Quart says, that are most vulnerable to allowing teenagers to overspend on brands.

Other critics have faulted what they describe as permissive rave culture, lax parents or lenient laws that allow teenagers into clubs where alcohol is not served.