RATIONALE

The influence of the mass media on children has been a topic of debate for years. Children are impacted by the programming they watch, in both negative and positive ways. Although the majority of children’s television programming may not be considered “educational” but merely a form of entertainment, educational aspects can be found in many popular programs. Even the children’s shows lacking educational characteristics heavily impact their viewers. Viewers learn social skills from not only friends and family, but from the portrayal of social relationships on the programs they enjoy watching. Children’s social learning is impacted heavily through imitation, and often times this includes imitating what they view on the television screen. The messages certain programs send about social relationships will impact how children act socially in their everyday lives.

iCarly is the most popular children’s television program in history. The show displays a group of teens who run their own web-show. The main group of friends includes Sam, Carly and Freddie. iCarly focuses on the relationship between the three friends and their individual roles in producing the hit show. The characters at times do not behave in a socially acceptable manner, causing critics, parents and educators to question what messages children viewers are picking up from the show. It is important to analyze the social relationships on iCarly to understand what possible messages children may be taking away from the popular program. The social relationships displayed on the show //iCarly// are constructed to demonstrate female dominance, and emphasize the idea of “girl power” that Nickelodeon has become popularly known for. This depiction of girl power is most visible in the character of Sam, who demonstrates Nickelodeon’s three elements of female empowerment and her power is heavily impacted by her gender-neutral characteristics.