Abstract
The depiction of superheroes and comic book characters in television shows has become incredibly popular. The objective of this study was to determine the positive and negative themes depicted in a select number of superhero-based television shows. A total of 49 episodes from 10 superhero-based television shows were analyzed by four independent reviewers. The average number of positive and negative themes was 18.8 and 36.9 mean events per hour, respectively, for all included episodes. The most common positive themes in our sample were associated with service, teamwork, and encouragement, and the most common negative themes were associated with violence, bullying, and alcohol use. Although exposure to positive themes depicted in superhero-based television shows may be beneficial to the development of children and adolescents, pediatric health care providers should counsel families in an attempt to limit their exposure to violence and other negative themes depicted in this genre of television shows.
Highlights
With on-demand Internet video streaming services like Netflix and Hulu becoming vogue, superhero-based television shows have become more accessible to viewers of all ages
Superhero-based television shows often depict negative themes, such as violence, conflict, and substance use, which may influence risk-taking behaviors and choices made by children and adolescents
Such findings have led the American Academy of Pediatrics to issue a formal statement on media violence, encouraging pediatricians to advocate for a safer media environment and to counsel patients and their parents to limit exposure to violence [3]
Summary
With on-demand Internet video streaming services like Netflix and Hulu becoming vogue, superhero-based television shows have become more accessible to viewers of all ages. Repeated exposure to violence in media, whether in television shows, films, video games, or music, may pose a significant risk to the emotional and social development of children and adolescents. Published studies have shown that media violence may attribute to aggressive behavior, desensitization to violence, and nightmares in children [1,2]. Such findings have led the American Academy of Pediatrics to issue a formal statement on media violence, encouraging pediatricians to advocate for a safer media environment and to counsel patients and their parents to limit exposure to violence [3]
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