2.4 Media

Media representations significantly influence children’s understanding of race and identity. Positive portrayals can foster inclusivity and self-esteem among racially minoritised children, while negative depictions may reinforce stereotypes and feelings of marginalisation.

Positive media representations

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Figure 4 Animated scene from ‘JoJo & Gran Gran’ showing the main characters JoJo (a young Black girl) and her grandmother Gran Gran in a garden setting, representing positive Black family relationships in children’s media.

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Animation still from CBeebies show ‘JoJo & Gran Gran’ featuring a young Black girl with afro-textured hair in a yellow top standing next to her grandmother, an older Black woman with grey hair wearing a purple cardigan, in a colourful garden setting with trees and flowers in the background.

Figure 4 Animated scene from ‘JoJo & Gran Gran’ showing the main characters JoJo (a young Black girl) and her grandmother Gran Gran in a...

‘JoJo & Gran Gran’ (CBeebies): This animated series centres on a young Black girl, JoJo, and her St Lucian grandmother, Gran Gran. It celebrates family, Caribbean culture and everyday life, offering positive representation for Black children. Creator Laura Henry-Allain advocates for more culturally rich children’s stories, urging publishers to support diverse narratives.

Figure 5 Animated scene from ‘Nikhil & Jay’ featuring the two British Asian brothers and their diverse group of friends, demonstrating positive representation of South Asian characters in children’s programming.

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Animation still from CBeebies show ‘Nikhil & Jay’ showing two South Asian boys – one taller wearing a green shirt and one shorter in an orange top – standing with a diverse group of friends including children of different ethnicities in a colourful indoor setting with toys and educational materials in the background

Figure 5 Animated scene from ‘Nikhil & Jay’ featuring the two British Asian brothers and their diverse group of friends, demonstrating ...

‘Nikhil & Jay’ (CBeebies): Another animated series which follows two British Asian brothers exploring their cultural heritage through family traditions, festivals and daily life. It positively reflects South Asian culture and promotes understanding of multicultural family experiences.

Figure 6 Ben Cajee, CBeebies presenter who has openly shared his experiences of being mixed race with young audiences, helping to normalise conversations about racial identity and heritage on children’s television.

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Professional photograph of Ben Cajee, a mixed-race CBeebies presenter with dark hair, wearing a black jacket and smiling at the camera.

Figure 6 Ben Cajee, CBeebies presenter who has openly shared his experiences of being mixed race with young audiences, helping to ...

CBeebies presenters discussing the racial and cultural heritage: CBeebies presenter Ben Cajee openly shared his experiences of being mixed race, introducing age-appropriate conversations about diversity and identity. This normalises discussions on race for young viewers.

Books and literature

• Patrice Lawrence’s novels (such as Orangeboy and Indigo Donut): British author writing contemporary stories featuring Black British teenagers.
• Malorie Blackman’s works: Former Children’s Laureate whose books like the Noughts and Crosses series tackle race directly while Pig-Heart Boy shows diverse characters in other contexts.
• Muhammad Khan’s books: British Pakistani author writing stories that reflect British Muslim experiences for young readers.

Negative media representation

Some shows have historically reinforced harmful stereotypes, like the ‘smart Asian’ or the ‘strong Black athlete’, limiting how children view themselves and others. A lack of diverse characters in children’s media can lead to feelings of invisibility among racially minoritised children and may negatively impact self-esteem and the sense of belonging.

What parents and practitioners can do

• Actively seek out programmes and books with diverse, positive representation.
• Discuss media choices with children: ‘What do you notice about the characters in this story?’
• Use positive examples like those above to counter stereotypical representations.

Beyond media, sociopolitical movements have a profound impact on how children understand race. Rogers et al. (2021) found that events like the Black Lives Matter missing from glossary movement have influenced how Black and multi-racial children articulate their racial identities. These societal shifts have empowered many children to express pride in their racial backgrounds and to become more socially aware.

Children absorb messages not just from entertainment, but from news coverage, social media (even when filtered through adults), community conversations, and social movements that shape how race is discussed in society.