Disney Channel affects kids’ perception of themselves 

Waking up in a world where media is more prevalent, young Jarra Jallow (‘25) found herself staring at a TV screen. Perfect slim-figured women appeared on her screen, making her wonder what she should look like. Starting off at a young age, many kids like Jarra are exposed to multiple forms of media, usually starting off with Disney princess movies or the Disney channel. 

In fact, Walt Disney Company is one of the “Big Six” media conglomerates, meaning Disney controls a significant amount of the entertainment industry. Disney being one of the “Big Six” may not sound like an issue, but it is. Research has shown that Disney is arguably one of the biggest media companies that create unrealistic female characters. 

These unrealistic standards are particularly problematic since Disney targets a child-based audience who tend to be very prone to influence. 

The Disney princesses we watch on our screens have eyes bigger than their waists, making an absurd argument about what kind of body makes you pretty enough to be a princess.  

Arguably, since it would not be physically possible to have such a small waist with such large breasts, Disney princesses give girls an unrealistic idea of what it means to be beautiful. 

These beauty standards portrayed in these movies fall in line with how women are affected by the male gaze. Many women alter their appearance for male validation. Similarly in Disney princess movies the princesses put out the idea that if you look a certain way you can obtain a picture perfect relationship. other words, your happily ever after. 

As girls grow up with this content, it can have detrimental effects, even causing eating disorders in attempts to attain a certain physique. Some people might even go as far as getting surgeries to alter their bodies when they grow up after being exposed to this content. 

Not only does Disney push out these unrealistic standards but also further promote gender stereotypes by making men appear big and strong, leaving the women as less superior. The plot of Disney princess movies is a young slim beautiful teenager girl finding the love of her life who overcome all their problems through the love of a man. 

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Sydney Mildon

The entertainment industry perpetuates this image of the ideal woman, and it can be extremely hard on the self-esteem of actors and models.

Picture Credit: Sydney Mildon (‘25) 

The entertainment industry perpetuates this image of the ideal woman, and it can be extremely hard on the self-esteem of actors and models. 

The industry also pushes out stereotypes of ethnicity and race. Disney channel now puts warnings on specific childrens movies as they may have a harmful impact on a broader audience as there has been mistreatment of people’s cultures and identities. 

“[Shows] always have conventionally attractive [actors], and so it acts as just an exaggerated reminder of what is acceptable in social society,” Jarra Jallow (‘25) said. “I feel like there aren’t really characters that I resonate with [in shows like that], either because of my identity or because of my personality. It makes me feel like I’m not something that society wants to see.” 

Shows pushed out to teenagers reinforce unrealistic standards 

As kids grow up, these unrealistic standards do not disappear; they are now faced with shows like Riverdale and Euphoria. 

Shows like Riverdale and Euphoria perpetrate unrealistic lifestyles of teenagers. This genre of shows is extremely popular amongst teenagers as it promotes idolized standards of how to act. Teenagers use these shows as a drawing board of what their lives should or should not be like.  

Riverdale follows teenagers as they uncover dark secrets lurking beneath their seemingly perfect small town. 

Similarly, Euphoria follows a troubled teen through her life as she battles drug addiction; the show shows individuals dealing with issues like identity, trauma, love, and self-destruction. 

In these shows, not only are the lifestyles that are portrayed unrealistic but so are what the actors look like. In these shows, the actors are in their 20s and even 30s acting as high schoolers.

It is noted that one reason the acting industry uses older actors is because of labor laws that limit minors to only being allowed to work 8 hours on set per day.   

Another reason that the acting industry prefers older actors is maturity levels. Within the workspace, older actors can remain more professional as they would be less prone to want to engage in unproductive activities.  

However, adults do not act like teenagers; they have different features, as they have hit puberty and are, well, adults. These portrayals not only affect teenagers but also worry parents about how their kids will be affected by these expectations of what teenage life should be like. 

“[Teenagers] are probably going to have an unrealistic expectation of what they think they should look like because obviously, their body is not going to be as developed,” said Denise Persichino, adult psychiatrist and mother to Janae Persichino who attends Western Christian High School. “Even the way that they’re acting, [teenagers] can be thinking that they should be in more mature situations then really what they should be.” 

Out of context, Riverdale and Euphoria would not look like shows about teenagers but more like adults acting immaturely. 

On top of this portrayal, TV shows and also social media posts show lifestyles that are hard to attain without money.  

In Riverdale, the outfits worn by Veronica Lodge come from name brands like Kate Spade and department stores like Neimann Marcus. These designer stores are known for being expensive, making it unrealistic that teenagers would be able to afford them. 

“[Seeing these portrayals] makes me feel kind of bad because a lot of [the shows promote] materialism too,” Jarra said. “It’s about the expensive clothes they’re wearing, and [these portrayals] just makes me feel like, ‘Wait, should I want that?’” 

In Euphoria, Cassie spends hours trying to fix her looks and dress herself for male gaze, showing teenagers that looks matter and that they need to act and look a certain way to fit in. 

Social media makes it impossible to escape unrealistic expectations of teenage life 

On top of TV shows promoting expensive and unrealistic standards of what teenagers should be wearing, social media does too. Influencers post get ready with me videos where they promote expensive skin care products and clothes to a younger audience. Ultimately, the influencers are profiting off young kids who do not in reality need these products. This form advertisement is very worrying for parents.  

“[My daughter Eliana] is 11, and she wants a $28 moisturizer.” said Stacey Doan, Claremont Mckenna College Psychology Professor and mom to two young girls. “She’ll say, ‘there is this influencer.’ She knows that word [influencer]. So, we do a lot of ‘No, you don’t. You don’t need a $28 moisturizer.’ It’s still okay to be a kid.” 

Kids should still be kids, and it is clear social media is taking away the true meaning of childhood. The teenage years of life are arguably one of the most difficult times for young people as they are a big transition phase. 

Considering this is a period of change, social media being prevalent in most teenagers’ daily lives and promoting picture perfect lifestyles along with picture perfect bodies is problematic.  

Today, it is merely impossible to escape the media. Once kids move on from movies and shows, like the Disney channel, they turn directly toward social media.  

It is clear, however, that even when kids are still in their Disney channel phase, they still have access to technology in a way past generations did not. 

“Sam, [my daughter], she’s five, [and] she already knows how to use an iPad,” Mrs. Doan said. “She knows how to log in, and knows how to use it.” 

It is not to say that all effects of social media are bad, but it should still be encouraged to engage in real life interactions.  

“I think one thing is really limiting social media and then encouraging offline activities,” Mrs. Doan said. “[For example] reducing [kids] screen time and having them focus on real life experiences.” 

Lots of kids are interacting mainly through their phones and are losing the ability to properly communicate in person. 

“If, say, we had four hours of free time, it would just be [everyone] all on the phone,” said Janae Persichino, a senior at Western Christian High School. “Most people can’t have a conversation without picking up their phone and it really bothers me.” 

Janae’s experience demonstrates how social media creates a space where people can post to gather validation. In return, when posts gain less likes, people question their self-worth.  

“When you post and it gets more or less engagement, you’re like, ‘okay, I got more engagement. Is it because I look better?” said Emily Thorton (‘25), who has gone TikTok viral with 35,000 followers. “Or if a video doesn’t do well, especially if your body’s in there, you’re like, ‘do I look bad?’” 

People fall into the trap of not feeling content without getting lots of likes and positive comments.  

That is not to say social media should be banned or taken away. Social media can still have some positive aspects.  

“It’s a great way to connect with other people and find people who are interested in what you’re interested in,” Mrs. Doan said. “My kid likes to make videos [and] that encourages [a] level of creativity.” 

So, living in a world of media may have benefits, but it is more about teaching kids from a young age how to navigate social media and still encourage them to interact with people not just through a screen. We should educate the youth on navigating this new world of advancing technologies and its social implications.