TV SHOWS SHOULD NOT COVER ADULT TOPICS:

By: Emily Beebe, Opinion Editor

TV shows such as Euphoria and Bluey, while geared toward children and teenagers, tend to cover adult topics such as violence and infertility. While some people may find this a good thing, TV shows geared toward children or teenagers should not cover adult topics.

While people will eventually have to learn adult topics such as drugs and death they should not be learning these topics at a young age, especially as children. Kids should have the opportunity to be kids, and not be exposed to these topics that may be considered inappropriate, especially for their age.

Videos with YouTube channels such as WatchMojo have made videos about different TV shows aimed toward children that talk about mature topics. This isn’t the right thing to do, because sometimes shows may have inaccuracies when talking about mature topics.

For example, in “Lizzie McGuire” the character Miranda suffers from an eating disorder. However, by the end of the episode, she appears to be fine, whereas sometimes body image issues can take years to recover from and not in the span of an hour.

Children should never grow up quickly if they don’t have to. By being exposed to harmful television shows that are geared toward children, then children have to learn about adult topics quicker then they deserve too.

TV SHOWS SHOULD COVER ADULT TOPICS:

By: Sofia Didenko, Assistant Opinion Editor

When thinking of adult topics within shows my mind instantly goes to LGBTQ+ representation in television shows aimed at teenagers or kids, which as through the majority of my life I’ve felt to be a controversial discussion.

Many people think that simply having queer characters on screen is enough. But actual discourse, open, thoughtful conversations about what it means to be gay, the struggles and accomplishments that come with it, and how it fits into everyday life is just as important. 

Representation without discussion can feel surface-level, like an attempt to check a box rather than genuinely engage with an experience that millions of people live through. 

For teenagers, who are often in the middle of figuring out who they are, seeing these discussions play out within TV shows can be both affirming and educational in ways that go far beyond what social media, a parent, friend or a teacher might be able to provide.

One show that did this really well was “Andi Mack,” a show made by Disney Channel in 2017. When I think about how that show approached sexuality, I remember how real it felt watching it as a teenager. The character Cyrus discovering he was gay wasn’t just a moment, it was a journey. He had to navigate uncertainty, self-doubt, and eventually self-acceptance, mirroring what so many LGBTQ+ teenagers as well as straight teenagers go through in real life. What made this so impactful was that it wasn’t just about him saying, “I’m gay” and the show moving on. It was about him understanding what that meant, how it would affect his relationships, and how he would grow into his identity.

This kind of deep representation is needed because, believe it or not, kids are not immune to the political battlefield that surrounds LGBTQ+ topics. Many children grow up hearing a bombardment of politicized takes about what it means to be gay, and without a positive, non-political source to introduce them to the topic, they can easily internalize negative or confusing messages. A well-crafted TV show that is written by professionals who have worked with LGBTQ+ individuals, mental health experts and educators can provide a much healthier introduction to sexuality than a biased news reporter or an uncomfortable conversation with a parent who may not fully understand the topic themselves.

It’s also worth noting that discourse about sexuality in teen media isn’t just beneficial for LGBTQ+ kids, it helps everyone. 

Just like queer kids need to see themselves represented, straight kids need to see that being gay is a normal, everyday part of life. This harbors empathy and understanding, reducing the stigma that often leads to bullying, discrimination and isolation. It’s not about changing anyone’s identity, it’s about creating a world where no one feels like they have to hide it.

I mean no one worries that kids will suddenly become straight just because they see heterosexual couples in the media, so why are we so terrified that a gay couple would have that effect on a kid. Kids typically just see a couple as a couple without the biases that we have built up as adults. Seeing a gay character that is someone close to their stage in life go through having crushes, going to school, dealing with insecurities, celebrating their identity helps normalize something that, in reality, has always been normal. The difference is, now we’re finally talking about it in a positive way.

Some people believe that having stories like Cyrus’ is pushing some sort of liberal agenda, but at the end of the day, children and teeagers will be exposed to a plethora of agendas. Having sources of education that are safe and neutral, reflecting everyday life of a character who is the same age that many teenagers are when they begin discovering romantic feelings, is a good idea. Taking these stories away is pushing an agenda that distracts from the reality that LGBTQ+ people are here.