Backlash Against Nickelodeon’s Parent Resource Page
Nickelodeon, the well-known children’s TV network, is under fire for a “Parent Resources” webpage that touches on progressive subjects like gender identity, race, and Islamophobia.
The webpage includes a 31-page guide called “Talk & Take Action: An Educators’ Guide to Combating LGBTQIA+ Discrimination,” which Nickelodeon created in collaboration with the LGBTQ+ advocacy group GLSEN. This guide aims to equip parents, teachers, and educators with the necessary tools to discuss issues related to discrimination and support for LGBTQ+ students and families.
This guide also includes points that encourage young children to speak out against bullying rooted in religious beliefs, specifically addressing Islam.
“When preparing to discuss topics around identity, gender, and sexuality with students, it’s important to frame those discussions in ways that maximize opportunities to learn while ensuring that students don’t leave feeling confused, afraid, or traumatized,” the guide states. “This guide covers misgendering, discriminatory actions, and various forms of discrimination faced by the LGBTQ+ community, which can be difficult for everyone to engage with.”
The “Parent Resources” page and accompanying guide cover various topics, including:
- “How to Talk to Kids About the Attack on the Capitol”
- “The Conscious Kid: Guide to Countering Racism and Anti-Blackness”
- “Countering Islamophobia”
- “An Educators’ Guide to Combating LGBTQIA+ Discrimination”
One Twitter user expressed outrage, stating that Nickelodeon is promoting “woke” information guides for children, covering themes like anti-racism and gender ideology.
John Alpert, a psychotherapist from New York and author of “Therapy Nation,” commented that these guides might have a negative effect on children by introducing political notions too early, potentially harming their social relationships.
“Teaching kids not to bully someone based on their religion is essential and should be supported by every parent,” Alpert said. “However, when seven-year-olds start learning about systemic discrimination and White supremacy, that crosses a line.”
He pointed out that young kids aren’t preoccupied with weighing various ideas about race and society, mentioning, “Children tend to absorb what adults in authority present as fact.”
“At a time when they should be learning to get along, adults are complicating things by introducing concepts of power and oppression,” Alpert added. “This could inadvertently emphasize differences that kids wouldn’t have considered otherwise.”
