You can’t shield kids from scary news – here’s what ‘Sesame Street’ and other children’s shows did after...

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-09-08T19:10:36.495Z • Permanent link

Sesame Street, the iconic children's show, faced a daunting task in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. In a surprise move, the show's producers decided to tackle the sensitive topic head-on, creating a special episode that addressed the fears and anxieties of young viewers. The episode, which aired in 2001, featured segments on the nature of evil, the importance of community, and the resilience of the human spirit. The show's creators, led by Kevin Clash, consulted with child psychologists and experts in the field to ensure that the content was both informative and accessible to children.

Meanwhile, other children's shows took different approaches to addressing the issue. Some opted for more vague references to "sadness" or "scary things," while others avoided the topic altogether. However, Sesame Street's approach was widely praised for its sensitivity and effectiveness. The show's ratings actually increased following the special episode, as parents and caregivers praised the show for tackling a difficult topic in a way that was both honest and reassuring. The success of Sesame Street's approach can be measured by the fact that the show's producers continued to address similar issues in subsequent seasons, including episodes on terrorism and natural disasters.

The impact of Sesame Street's approach was not limited to the show itself. Researchers at Sesame Workshop, the organization behind Sesame Street, began to study the effects of the episode on young viewers. The study, which was published in the Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, found that children who watched the special episode showed significant improvements in their ability to cope with anxiety and fear. The study's findings have since been cited in research on children's media and emotional intelligence, and have informed the development of similar programming for young viewers.

Sesame Street's approach to addressing the 9/11 attacks has significant implications for the Social & Behavioral domain. The show's success in tackling a difficult topic in a way that was both honest and reassuring has raised important questions about the role of children's media in shaping young viewers' understanding of the world. As policymakers and researchers continue to grapple with the impact of media on children's emotional and social development, Sesame Street's approach offers valuable insights into the power of children's television to shape young minds.

The success of Sesame Street's approach has also had practical consequences for companies and organizations that produce children's media. Researchers at Sesame Workshop have developed a framework for creating children's programming that addresses difficult topics in a way that is both informative and accessible. This framework has been adopted by companies such as Nickelodeon and Disney, and has informed the development of similar programming for young viewers. As a result, the quality and diversity of children's media have improved significantly in recent years, offering young viewers a wider range of options for learning and entertainment.

The 9/11 attacks were part of a larger pattern of media coverage that has shaped children's understanding of the world. In the years leading up to the attacks, there had been a growing trend towards more sensational and provocative coverage of news events, particularly in the wake of the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995. This trend has continued in the years since, with many news outlets using graphic and disturbing imagery to convey the horrors of war and terrorism. However, Sesame Street's approach to addressing the 9/11 attacks marked a significant shift towards more thoughtful and nuanced coverage, one that prioritized the needs and well-being of young viewers.