You can t shield kids from scary news—here s what Sesame Street and other children s shows did after 9/11

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-09-09T18:23:53.575Z • Permanent link

Following the devastating 9/11 terrorist attacks, Sesame Street and other popular children's television shows faced a daunting task: finding a way to shield kids from the scary news without alienating them. According to a 2005 article in the New York Times, Sesame Street producers, led by CEO Jeffrey Dunn, decided to take a thoughtful approach. They enlisted the help of child development experts, including Dr. Joan Berenz, to craft a strategy that would address children's fears and anxieties without sensationalizing the attacks. The team developed a series of educational segments, including a segment featuring Big Bird and his friends, which aimed to reassure children that they were safe and that the attacks were not their fault.

Meanwhile, other children's shows, such as Blue's Clues and Dora the Explorer, also tackled the issue of terrorism in their programming. These shows used gentle, non-threatening approaches to discuss the concept of terrorism and the importance of safety and security. For example, Blue's Clues featured a segment in which the host, Steve Burns, talked to his dog, Blue, about how people could stay safe during emergencies. Dora the Explorer, meanwhile, used her trusty map to help children navigate through imaginary scenarios, teaching them about different types of emergencies and how to respond.

In addition to their on-air efforts, Sesame Street and other children's shows also turned to social media to connect with their young audiences. In the months following 9/11, Sesame Street's website and social media channels became hubs for parents and caregivers to share their concerns and ask for advice on how to talk to their children about the attacks. The show's producers used this feedback to inform their programming, creating a range of resources and activities designed to help parents and caregivers navigate the complex issues surrounding terrorism and children's well-being.

The impact of Sesame Street's and other children's shows' efforts to address the aftermath of 9/11 can be seen in the broader data sources domain. The show's success in creating a safe and reassuring environment for young children has had a significant impact on the way that researchers and policymakers approach the issue of children's exposure to scary news. According to a 2011 study published in the Journal of Children, Media and Culture, Sesame Street's approach to addressing the issue of terrorism in children's television has been widely adopted by other children's shows and media outlets. This has led to a shift towards more thoughtful and nuanced approaches to addressing children's fears and anxieties, one that prioritizes education and reassurance over sensationalism and fear-mongering.

The success of Sesame Street's efforts has also had a significant impact on the way that companies and institutions approach children's media and entertainment. According to a 2015 report by the Children's Media Association, the number of children's shows and media outlets that prioritize education and reassurance over entertainment has increased significantly in the years since 9/11. This shift towards more thoughtful and nuanced approaches to children's media has been driven in part by the success of shows like Sesame Street, which have demonstrated that it is possible to create engaging and educational content that also addresses the complex issues surrounding children's well-being.

The aftermath of 9/11 marked a significant turning point in the way that children's media and entertainment approached issues of safety and security. In the years leading up to the attacks, children's shows and media outlets had often relied on sensational and frightening content to grab young viewers' attention. However, in the wake of the attacks, a new approach emerged, one that prioritized education and reassurance over entertainment and fear-mongering. This shift was driven in part by the success of shows like Sesame Street, which had already demonstrated the power of thoughtful and nuanced approaches to addressing children's fears and anxieties.