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Mean television kids
Categories: Kids 5-7, Teens & tweens, Development, That's Entertainment
Ellie's favorite television show is Hannah Montana, with Suite Life of Zack and Cody coming in a close second. Both shows are rated TV Y7, which , according to Parentstv.org, means:
This program is designed for children age 7 and above. It may be more appropriate for children who have acquired the developmental skills needed to distinguish between make-believe and reality. Themes and elements in this program may include mild fantasy or comedic violence, or may frighten children under the age of 7. Therefore, parents may wish to consider the suitability of this program for their very young children.
Nowhere in that paragraph does it mention the fact that the shows are full of mean people. Behind the mostly innocent story lines and silly gags, there is an undercurrent of meanness. The characters say and do rude things to one another. Ellie is old enough to "distinguish between make-believe and reality", but that doesn't mean the show doesn't give her ideas.
I've noticed that after 30 minutes spent watching one of these shows, Ellie sometimes tries to emulate their behavior by tossing off a smart-alecky remark or just being bratty in general. She's not really trying to be mean, but hoping to get a laugh they way they do on television.
There are a lot of positive images in those two shows - close-knit, non-traditional families and an emphasis on the importance of education and friendship to name a few. But why do the writers feel they have to get mean to be funny?
This program is designed for children age 7 and above. It may be more appropriate for children who have acquired the developmental skills needed to distinguish between make-believe and reality. Themes and elements in this program may include mild fantasy or comedic violence, or may frighten children under the age of 7. Therefore, parents may wish to consider the suitability of this program for their very young children.
Nowhere in that paragraph does it mention the fact that the shows are full of mean people. Behind the mostly innocent story lines and silly gags, there is an undercurrent of meanness. The characters say and do rude things to one another. Ellie is old enough to "distinguish between make-believe and reality", but that doesn't mean the show doesn't give her ideas.
I've noticed that after 30 minutes spent watching one of these shows, Ellie sometimes tries to emulate their behavior by tossing off a smart-alecky remark or just being bratty in general. She's not really trying to be mean, but hoping to get a laugh they way they do on television.
There are a lot of positive images in those two shows - close-knit, non-traditional families and an emphasis on the importance of education and friendship to name a few. But why do the writers feel they have to get mean to be funny?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ann Adams 9-17-2007 @ 4:53PM
Because mean sells. Look at the cutthroat reality shows. For that matter look at the "adult" sitcoms or even The Simpsons.
The more hateful the kidding is, the more people tune in and the kids take their cues from the adults.
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Karen 9-17-2007 @ 5:17PM
I think you are picking on the wrong two shows if you want to highlight "mean" behavior directed at children. The show has to have a conflict in order to have a resolution. That is formula tv. But, the mean behavior in this show is so over the top that it is cartoonish. This is where you child needs to be able to distinguish between make believe and real. The snarky comments are made during times of outrageous situations that they will never be involved in.
What you are upset about is that your child is imitating the snarky side. Children want to test limits. This is how they learn and grow and develop their social skills. They try out these attitudes. They usually fall flat and an adult shows them why their comment was inappropriate and uses this time to point out the differences between tv and real life.
I have no problem with either of these shows. There are plenty of shows directed at children that ARE horrible, but these are not it. Both of these shows are heavy on good messages and do it in a way that is appealing to children. Parents most definately can feel good about letting their children watch these shows.
I guarantee you the mean behavior on the playground is far, far, worse than anything you will see on these shows.
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Heather 9-18-2007 @ 9:09AM
I do see the mean side to suite life as well. I hate those bratty kids. I am tired of shows where the kids are snarky and rude and make the parents look dumb ( usually the dad).
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Clarissa 9-18-2007 @ 9:30AM
I ended up banning the Disney Channel because of the likes of Hanna Montana, Suite Life and That's so Raven, because of the attitude my daughter adopted from them.
Since she has been banned, almost 3 months now of no Disney, her attitude has improved greatly.
I think that these shows teach kids how to be little jerks. It sure did my kid.
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Steph 9-18-2007 @ 11:21AM
While these two shows are not horrible-they do contain "life lessons" I had noticed the mean streak in them also. My daughter was fascinated after an older friend watched them at our house. I wasn't thrilled at first when my six year old wanted to watch them since they were about older kids. But at a glance they didn't seem bad. After watching them for a bit I definitely noticed a change in her behavior and payed attention to the whole show, not just the overall theme. I find it disturbing that this is now normal. I do think that parents have always been portrayed as dumb in kids shows and movies-that definitely appeals to a kid's sense of superiority. But I don't like the way many kids in shows talk to their parents, heck, or their friends! They do have a snarky attitude and are regularly mean-particularly Suite life.
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Ashley 9-19-2007 @ 8:26AM
I think your readers have it right.
"Meanness" is really indicative of a traditional, formulaic mechanism for delivering comedy. These tween shows are really just sitcoms with child actors rather than families or groups of friends.
The best way to avoid such characters is to stick to shows with educational intent, rather than ones simply marketed to children.
Ashley
www.ChildrensMediaConsultant.com
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