See Jane 2024: On Screen Representation in Children’s Television from 2018 to 2023

The Geena Davis Institute hosted its highly anticipated annual event, premiering the latest See Jane Report, which analyzed representation in children’s television from 2018 to 2023. The report underscores the Institute’s belief that "if they can see it, they can be it," emphasizing the importance of inclusive media for shaping children's perceptions, values, and aspirations. Attendees included leading creators, educators, and industry professionals committed to driving diversity in children’s media and crafting stories that foster a more inclusive future.

Speakers and Panelists:

The event featured a panel of distinguished experts:

• Madeline Di Nonno, President and CEO, Geena Davis Institute
• Meredith Conroy, VP of Research and Insights, Geena Davis Institute
• Andrea Bertels, VP, Corporate Citizenship, Nielsen and President/Executive Director, Grantmaking, Nielsen Foundation
• Nneka Boden, Digital Producer and Partnerships Lead at Mighty Picnic and LYLA IN THE LOOP.
• Makeda Mays Green, Senior Vice President, Digital and Cultural Consumer Insights at Nickelodeon.
• Kay Wilson Stallings, Executive Producer and EVP of Creative and Production at Sesame Workshop.

Event Highlights

• The unveiling of the See Jane Report, highlighting significant trends in gender, racial, and ethnic representation on children’s television between 2018 and 2023.
• An insightful panel discussion in which experts discussed the current landscape of diversity in children’s programming.
• In-depth analysis of how children are influenced by what they see on TV, focusing on how characters shape their dreams, values, and career aspirations.

Key Takeaways

1. Progress in Representation: The See Jane Report showed that while there has been progress in gender and racial diversity on children’s TV, gaps remain, particularly in the representation of children with disabilities and LGBTQIA+ characters.
2. Impact on Children’s Self-Perception: The report and panel discussion emphasized how seeing diverse characters on screen allows children to envision broader possibilities for themselves. This visibility directly impacts their self-esteem and aspirations.
3. Need for Authentic Storytelling: The speakers emphasized the importance of authentic stories that reflect real-world experiences of diverse communities. Industry professionals are encouraged to go beyond tokenism and ensure nuanced portrayals of all groups.
4. Challenges Remain: Despite gains, systemic challenges—such as entrenched biases and stereotypes—still limit the scope of diversity in children's media. Change requires ongoing commitment from creators and studios.

Actionable Insights

1. Collaboration Between Creators and Educators: Content creators should partner with educators and child development experts to ensure diverse and authentic portrayals in children’s programming.
2. Data-Driven Decision Making: Networks and production companies should use data from reports like See Jane to inform casting, character development, and storylines that promote inclusivity.
3. Ongoing Diversity Training: Production teams and creative staff need ongoing education on diversity, equity, and inclusion to avoid reinforcing harmful stereotypes or underrepresentation.
4. Engagement with Parents: Studios should engage with parents and communities to understand better the diverse experiences and identities children bring to the table, ensuring these perspectives are represented in media.

To support efforts in improving representation in children’s media, we encourage you to explore the Geena Davis Institute’s research-based toolkit, which was developed based on the findings of the See Jane Report. This comprehensive resource offers practical guidance for creating inclusive content that positively impacts children’s lives.