The coronavirus crisis is creating an anxiety pandemic for teens and kids. Comfort viewing Netflix and WarnerMedia are the first studios to announce programming that aims to help teens and kids tackle these issues head on.
Netflix has partnered with Instagram on Wanna Talk About It?, a weekly live series where stars from the streamer’s biggest hits interview mental health experts. Talent includes Noah Centineo (To All the Boys I Loved Before), Joey King (The Kissing Booth), and Jerry Harris (Cheer). Experts will come from organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Illness, The Trevor Project, and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention The show will air live every Thursday on Netflix’s Instagram from April 9-May 14.
WarnerMedia announced a half-hour special called Sesame Street: Elmo’s Playdate that’s designed as a video conference to comfort kids and normalize physical distancing. Lin-Manuel Miranda, Anne Hathaway, and Tracee Ellis Ross will join Elmo, Grover, Cookie Monster, and Abby Cadabby.
The special will show kids new ways to play and learn together, and celebrate essential workers that are keeping us safe. The special will air on Tuesday, April 14 across all WarnerMedia networks and streaming services. It will also broadcast on PBS Kids. As we move into a post-corona world where we are more connected via technology than ever before, studios should make these kinds of shows new staples to help youth navigate the mental health crisis.