The popular children’s network Nickelodeon is facing criticism over its "Parent Resources" webpage, which provides guides for discussing anti-racism, gender identity, and other social issues with children.
The resources touch upon various controversial topics, such as "countering Islamophobia" and "How to talk to kids about the attack on the Capitol," while providing talking points for parents and caregivers on how to approach each subject with their children, according to the website.
In one 31-page document, Nickelodeon — in partnership with the LGBT organization Glisten, formerly known as GLSEN — lays out a step-by-step guide for teachers titled "Talk & Take Action: An Educators' Guide to Combating LGBTQIA+ Discrimination."
"When preparing to talk about topics around identity, gender, and sexuality with students, it’s important to frame those discussions in ways that maximize opportunities to learn, while at the same time ensuring that students don’t leave the encounter confused, afraid, or traumatized," the guide reads.
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"This guide delves into misgendering, discriminatory acts, and other forms of discrimination the LGBTQ+ community has endured, which can be challenging for all of us to read and talk about," it continues.
The guide goes on to provide educators with a glossary of terms relating to the LGBTQ community and tips on how to "foster an inclusive classroom" for students — such as displaying LGBTQ flags and posters in their classrooms.
Another resource titled "Talk and Take Action: Parents', Caregivers' and Educators' Guide to Countering Islamophobia" lays out the "history of activism against Islamophobia," while also providing parents with a discussion guide on educating children about the Muslim faith.
"Explore the basic tenets of Islam. Similar to Judaism and Christianity, people who practice Islam believe in one God, called Allah," the guide states.
The guide goes on to provide talking points for young children regarding how they can speak up if they encounter an individual who is being bullied for their faith, while encouraging the reader to be an "Upstander" for their peers.
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It then lists examples of ways a child could respond if they encounter someone who is being bullied because of their Islamic faith, such as saying, "Hey, that is mean. Remember, your words can hurt people."
Another Nickelodeon document, "Talking to Kids: Capitol Attack Resources," provides links for adults discussing the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021, with children.
The webpage and its resources have drawn criticism from social media users and a psychotherapist who told Fox News Digital that the guides go beyond the network's traditional entertainment role.
In a reply to Libs of TikTok’s X post sharing the guides, one user wrote, "Kids network with a parent guide on gender and anti-racism. That’s not cartoons and that’s NOT fun. That’s recruitment. Keep them off it."
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Another user blasted the content, writing on X, "A kids’ network pushing ‘anti-racism,’ gender ideology, and the rest to parents as official resources. They’re not hiding it anymore. Parents, check what your kids’ shows are linking."
Jonathan Alpert, a New York-based psychotherapist and author of "Therapy Nation," told Fox News Digital the guides could force children to begin looking at the world from a political lens prematurely, therefore harming their ability to relate to their peers.
"There’s nothing controversial about teaching kids not to bully someone because of their religion. That’s basic decency and every parent should support and get behind that," Alpert told Fox News Digital. "But once you start teaching 7-year-olds about systemic discrimination and white supremacy, you’ve crossed into something very different."
Alpert added that young children are not focused on "weighing different ideas about race and society," adding that "kids absorb what an adult in authority tells them is true."
According to Alpert, the network’s encouragement of parents and educators discussing controversial — and often political — topics could have an unintended negative impact on the children they are teaching.
"At an age when they should be learning how to get along with each other, adults are introducing complex ideas about power, privilege and oppression," Alpert said. "This may actually be teaching kids to focus on differences they otherwise wouldn’t be thinking much about."
Nickelodeon declined a request by Fox News Digital for comment.