Caroline Knorr
Parenting Expert | Mom of one
Common Sense Media Resources About Race and Racism
We've gathered together all our articles and lists of media recommendations to help parents, educators, and others spark important conversations.
Today's kids are growing up in a world where anyone can create anything they wish -- a YouTube video, a meme, a tweet. Unfortunately, some choose to use these tools to spread hate, misinformation, and racism. That's why it's so critical for parents to be intentional about the media kids are exposed to. Choose media that educates kids in essential human values such as love, understanding, kindness, and compassion. Take the opportunity to discuss how race is portrayed, how stereotypes are perpetuated, and how racial experiences differ. Use our conversation starters to get kids to think more deeply about these topics. Now, more than ever, our kids really need to learn these lessons.
Advice for parents on using media to discuss racism
- Black History Movies That Tackle Racism
- How to Talk with Kids About Racism and Racial Violence
- How White Parents Can Use Media to Raise Anti-Racist Kids
- That Time I Found Media to Help My Kid Embrace His Hair and Teach His Preschool Class to Appreciate Differences
- Watch Out! Classic Movies with Racial Stereotypes
Book recommendations
- 10 Amazing Books for Teens Exploring Black History
- 10 Compelling Books for Tweens Exploring Black History
- 10 Exciting Books for Young Kids Learning About Black History
- Award-Winning African American Books
- Bilingual Books (English/Spanish)
- Books About Racism and Social Justice
- Books with Asian and Asian American Characters
- Books with Characters of Color
- Books with Muslim American Characters
- Books with Native American Characters
- Books to Inspire Young Activists
- Books That Promote Diversity and Inclusion
- Coretta Scott King Book Award Winners
- Civil Rights Books
- Dr. Allison Briscoe-Smith Picks: Positive Books About Kids of Color
- Dr. Ibram X. Kendi Picks: Anti-Racist Books for Kids
Movie recommendations
- 4 Family-Friendly Movies with Afro-Latinx Stars (video)
- 5 Diverse and Family-Friendly Movies Nominated for Oscars (video)
- 5 Latinx Documentaries That Celebrate Diversity in These Divided Times
- 6 Inspiring Black History Month Movies (video)
- 12 Inspiring Movies for Latino Families
- Best Movies with Mexican and Mexican American Characters
- Great Movies with African American Characters
- Great TV Shows by and About Latinos
- Movies with Asian and Asian American Characters
- Movies with Inspiring Role Models for African American Girls
Other media
- Apps and Games with Diverse Characters
- "Pachamama" and More Captivating Shows and Books Inspired by Latinx Legends
- TV Shows About Racism and Social Justice
- TV Shows with Black Leads
- TV Shows with Diverse Characters
How to discuss breaking news/disturbing topics
- 5 Ways to Deal with Hate Speech Online (video)
- 5 Ways to Help Kids Deal with Disturbing News (video)
- Explaining the News to Our Kids
- How to Talk to Kids About Difficult Subjects
- How to Talk to Kids About Violence, Crime, and War
- Teaching Kids Media Smarts During Breaking News
- Tips for Families Facing Hate Speech and Mass Shootings
- What's the Impact of Media Violence on Kids
- Where Kids Find Hate Online
Media use research
Mental health resources
- Apps to Help with Mental Health
- Kids' Mental Health Tech Tools for Suicide Help, Coping Skills, and Professional Support
Recursos en español
- 4 películas familiares protagonizadas por afrolatinos
- 5 formas de ayudar a los niños a lidiar con noticias perturbadoras
- 5 películas familiares diversas nominadas a los Oscars
- 12 películas inspiradoras para familias latinas
- Cinco formas de lidiar con las expresiones de odio en internet
- ¿Cómo enseñar a tus hijos a entender e interpretar las noticias de última hora?
- Cómo hablar con los niños sobre el racismo y la violencia racial
- Consejos para familias que enfrentan el discurso de odio y los tiroteos masivos
- Documentales latinos que celebran la diversidad cultural
- Los mejores libros para que los niños pequeños aprendan inglés
- "Pachamama" y más películas, programas y libros inspirados en leyendas latinas
- Seis películas inspiradoras para el mes de la Historia Afroamericana
- Libros sobre racismo y justicia social
Today's kids are growing up in a world where anyone can create anything they wish -- a YouTube video, a meme, a tweet. Unfortunately, some choose to use these tools to spread hate, misinformation, and racism. That's why it's so critical for parents to be intentional about the media kids are exposed to. Choose media that educates kids in essential human values such as love, understanding, kindness, and compassion. Take the opportunity to discuss how race is portrayed, how stereotypes are perpetuated, and how racial experiences differ. Use our conversation starters to get kids to think more deeply about these topics. Now, more than ever, our kids really need to learn these lessons.
Advice for parents on using media to discuss racism
- Black History Movies That Tackle Racism
- How to Talk with Kids About Racism and Racial Violence
- How White Parents Can Use Media to Raise Anti-Racist Kids
- That Time I Found Media to Help My Kid Embrace His Hair and Teach His Preschool Class to Appreciate Differences
- Watch Out! Classic Movies with Racial Stereotypes
Book recommendations
- 10 Amazing Books for Teens Exploring Black History
- 10 Compelling Books for Tweens Exploring Black History
- 10 Exciting Books for Young Kids Learning About Black History
- Award-Winning African American Books
- Bilingual Books (English/Spanish)
- Books About Racism and Social Justice
- Books with Asian and Asian American Characters
- Books with Characters of Color
- Books with Muslim American Characters
- Books with Native American Characters
- Books to Inspire Young Activists
- Books That Promote Diversity and Inclusion
- Coretta Scott King Book Award Winners
- Civil Rights Books
- Dr. Allison Briscoe-Smith Picks: Positive Books About Kids of Color
- Dr. Ibram X. Kendi Picks: Anti-Racist Books for Kids
Movie recommendations
- 4 Family-Friendly Movies with Afro-Latinx Stars (video)
- 5 Diverse and Family-Friendly Movies Nominated for Oscars (video)
- 5 Latinx Documentaries That Celebrate Diversity in These Divided Times
- 6 Inspiring Black History Month Movies (video)
- 12 Inspiring Movies for Latino Families
- Best Movies with Mexican and Mexican American Characters
- Great Movies with African American Characters
- Great TV Shows by and About Latinos
- Movies with Asian and Asian American Characters
- Movies with Inspiring Role Models for African American Girls
Other media
- Apps and Games with Diverse Characters
- "Pachamama" and More Captivating Shows and Books Inspired by Latinx Legends
- TV Shows About Racism and Social Justice
- TV Shows with Black Leads
- TV Shows with Diverse Characters
How to discuss breaking news/disturbing topics
- 5 Ways to Deal with Hate Speech Online (video)
- 5 Ways to Help Kids Deal with Disturbing News (video)
- Explaining the News to Our Kids
- How to Talk to Kids About Difficult Subjects
- How to Talk to Kids About Violence, Crime, and War
- Teaching Kids Media Smarts During Breaking News
- Tips for Families Facing Hate Speech and Mass Shootings
- What's the Impact of Media Violence on Kids
- Where Kids Find Hate Online
Media use research
Mental health resources
- Apps to Help with Mental Health
- Kids' Mental Health Tech Tools for Suicide Help, Coping Skills, and Professional Support
Recursos en español
- 4 películas familiares protagonizadas por afrolatinos
- 5 formas de ayudar a los niños a lidiar con noticias perturbadoras
- 5 películas familiares diversas nominadas a los Oscars
- 12 películas inspiradoras para familias latinas
- Cinco formas de lidiar con las expresiones de odio en internet
- ¿Cómo enseñar a tus hijos a entender e interpretar las noticias de última hora?
- Cómo hablar con los niños sobre el racismo y la violencia racial
- Consejos para familias que enfrentan el discurso de odio y los tiroteos masivos
- Documentales latinos que celebran la diversidad cultural
- Los mejores libros para que los niños pequeños aprendan inglés
- "Pachamama" y más películas, programas y libros inspirados en leyendas latinas
- Seis películas inspiradoras para el mes de la Historia Afroamericana
- Libros sobre racismo y justicia social
Caroline is Common Sense Media's former parenting editor. She has many years of editorial and creative marketing writing experience and has held senior-level positions at Walmart.com, Walmart stores, Cnet, and Bay Area Parent magazine. She specializes in translating complex information into bite-sized chunks to help families make informed choices about what their kids watch, play, read, and do.
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