Representation of refugee characters and experiences in children’s animated television: Missed opportunities and hopes

ABSTRACT

This commentary article focuses on the representation of refugee characters and experiences in children’s media in the US context. While increased attention is being paid to improving diversity and representation across various social groups, refugee voices remain invisible in the children’s media industry and academia. The article discusses the importance of improved refugee representation and how it can benefit refugee and local children. It highlights the considerations for creating children’s media content, such as intersectionality, developmental sensitivity, and stereotypes. It brings media examples and shares good practices for content creators who want to work towards improving refugee representation. Finally, the article emphasizes the importance of bringing children’s voices into content creation for changing and improving existing media narratives.

KEYWORDS:

• refugee children
• media representation
• diversity
• children’s media
• refugee experiences

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Rumeysa Ozturk

Rumeysa Ozturk is a doctoral student in Child Study and Human Development at Tufts University. Her research interests include children’s digital media and technologies, prosocial and character development, media literacy and diverse representations and belonging in children’s media. Being a refugee is not a part of her personal experience, yet she is from Turkey, hosting over 3.5 million refugees. This commentary should be considered as a listening and learning reflection.