Kids want to see more diverse and inclusive representation in their entertainment.

Kids want to see more diverse and inclusive representation in their entertainment. YPulse’s Representation in Action trend research found that nearly half of Millennial parents believe it is important for the TV / movie industry to reflect diversity and be inclusive. And according to Canadian nonprofit Black Screen Office’s “Being Seen: Children’s Media Report,” very few six-to-nine-year-olds from underrepresented groups in Canada are aware of the issues around authentic representation in kids media, most likely due to parental involvement and guiding them toward more inclusive content. However, some younger kids are showing the beginnings of awareness when it comes to stereotypes. One seven-year-old respondent wishes for more “gender-fluid” characters to be featured on TV, and always sees people who look and feel like their classmates, “but never reflect somebody like [them].” The research shows that 10-13-year-olds recognize stereotypes about their own community and notice the lack of representation in the kids’ content they watch. One 13-year-old respondent says: “I haven’t seen many who are like me, and that’s disappointing. I’ve seen shows with, like, one character with a disability. And then we look at the actor [in real life], and we’ll be disappointed to see that the actor doesn’t have a disability. Why couldn’t you hire a person with a real disability and show that?” Meanwhile, the data found that 14-17-year-olds are “very cognizant” of the limitations in authentic representation and want to view content that “better reflects the world in which they live.” Some teen respondents say they go to social platforms like YouTube or Instagram to find more representation in entertainment content. (Kidscreen)