Nickelodeon is handing parents and teachers a 31-page guide on combating what it calls “LGBTQIA+ Discrimination,” along with resources on “countering Islamophobia” and talking to kids about the January 6 Capitol riot — all posted openly on the network’s “Parent Resources” webpage.
The LGBTQ guide, titled “Talk & Take Action: An Educators’ Guide to Combating LGBTQIA+ Discrimination,” was produced in partnership with Glisten, the LGBT advocacy group formerly known as GLSEN. It instructs teachers on how to discuss “identity, gender, and sexuality” with students in ways meant to avoid leaving them “confused, afraid, or traumatized.”
“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.”
The document includes a glossary of LGBTQ terminology and tells educators to “foster an inclusive classroom” by displaying LGBTQ flags and posters.
A separate guide, “Talk and Take Action: Parents’, Caregivers’ and Educators’ Guide to Countering Islamophobia,” lays out the “history of activism against Islamophobia” and walks parents through explaining Islamic beliefs to children, stating that “people who practice Islam believe in one God, called Allah,” much like Judaism and Christianity. It also scripts lines for children to use if they see a peer bullied over their faith, such as “Hey, that is mean. Remember, your words can hurt people,” and urges kids to be an “Upstander.”
A third resource, “Talking to Kids: Capitol Attack Resources,” gives adults links for discussing the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot with children.
Backlash Online
The guides, first circulated widely after Libs of TikTok posted them on X, drew sharp reaction from parents and commentators. 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.”
Another wrote: “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.”
A Psychotherapist’s Warning
Jonathan Alpert, a New York psychotherapist and author of “Therapy Nation,” told Fox News Digital the material risks forcing children into a political framework before they’re ready for it.
“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. But once you start teaching 7-year-olds about systemic discrimination and white supremacy, you’ve crossed into something very different.”
Alpert said young children aren’t equipped to “weigh different ideas about race and society” and instead tend to absorb whatever an authority figure tells them is true. He warned the approach could backfire.
“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. This may actually be teaching kids to focus on differences they otherwise wouldn’t be thinking much about.”
Nickelodeon declined to comment when asked by Fox News Digital.
