You can’t shield kids from scary news – here’s what ‘Sesame Street’ and other children’s shows did after 9/11

After the September 11 attacks, children's programs like Sesame Street, Arthur, and Zoom chose not to depict the actual event but instead addressed the fears it produced: loud sirens, protective gear, and trusted adults appearing frightened. Sesame Street's response starred Elmo frightened by a fire alarm at Hooper's Store, resolved by a firefighter explaining what to do in an emergency.

Researcher Joanne Cantor's work found that fear responses to news differ by age, with younger kids reacting to disaster and older kids and teens fearing violence and personal injury. Today's kids face a far larger menu of platforms delivering distressing images, often without an adult present to help interpret them, a gap these shows were built to fill decades ago.

The full dispatch is available from the source below.