We recently asked the members of the BuzzFeed Community to tell us a time when Disney Channel tackled a serious subject and handled it well. Here are some of their best responses:
Note: Some submissions include topics of eating disorders.
1.
When Penny exchanged homes with a Muslim Pakistani student on The Proud Family and their house was vandalized with “Go back to your country.”
Disney Channel
“I remember when I first saw the episode as a little kid around the time it aired and it’s stuck with me into adulthood. I think they did a really good job addressing it in a way that kids can understand.”
When Cyrus came out on Andi Mack and was accepted and supported by his friends.
Disney Channel
“Even though I was older when this show came out, it still made me so happy. I really wish I had a character like that when I was younger to look up to.”
When Smackle revealed she has Asperger’s on Girl Meets World, and for the rest of the show, her friends helped her become more socially and emotionally aware while also respecting her boundaries.
Disney Channel
“Riley always asked before hugging her. Smackle would ask questions about certain social situations because she didn’t fully understand, but felt comfortable enough around her friends to ask for help and guidance.”
When Maddie and London developed bad eating habits on The Suite Life of Zack and Cody because they were body-shamed but learned to love their bodies at the end.
When Trish had a cyberbully on Austin and Ally and she opened up to her friends and they helped her confront the bully.
Disney Channel
“Trish was getting cyberbullied because she got the lead role in the school play and the bully was calling her ugly. Trish tried to not let the comments bother her, but then she opened up to her friends and they helped her and confronted the cyberbully. At the end of the episode, they also had a PSA by the four main characters to remind kids that bullying is not okay and to talk to an adult if you’re getting bullied.”
When Riley found out her sister on The Famous Jett Jackson had an eating disorder, so their family worked together to seek professional help and be there for her.
Disney Channel
“Riley catches her throwing up after every meal. It was when bulimia and being a size 0 was ‘all the rage’ and it was the first time I ever heard it being addressed as something dangerous.”
When T.J., who was 12, drank beer at a party on Smart Guy and spoke about the pressures of fitting in.
Disney Channel
“They handled it beautifully. It showed how everyone wants to fit in and how some will go to different measures to do so, but also how parents can be blind to their own kids’ actions and refuse to accept they’re growing up.”
On Liv and Maddie, when Maddie sang “Don’t Need Your Number” in response to the boys at school rating girls by how “hot” they were.
Disney Channel
“I was going through a rough time with a friend in which we were not proud of who we were or what we looked like. It was confusing and frustrating and so emotionally draining, but hearing that song as an early teen helped me understand how to view myself better and with more kindness than ever.”
When Miranda started skipping meals on Lizzie McGuire because she wanted to lose weight before filming a music video, and Lizzie helped her get the help she needed.
Disney Channel
“It was a classic episode considering the fact that it taught people my age that your body is constantly growing and changing, so you need a nutritious meal and that there’s a healthy way to lose weight, which doesn’t include cutting off food altogether.”
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