Face Value: How Children’s Movies Treat Characters With Facial Differences Free

Editor’s Note: Katie is a telephone triage nurse with a background in women’s and children’s health. She is also the mother of two neurodiverse teens with medical complexities. -Cara L. Coleman, JD, MPH

Animated movies are a favorite of almost every child, and change with each generation. Technology creates effects that were previously unthinkable; and in many ways, movies seem more sensitive toward issues like race, gender, emotions, and disabilities than they used to be.

However, one thing that hasn’t changed much is the way animated films use a character’s looks to signal how “good” or important a character is.

In this month’s Pediatrics, the study “Representation of Facial Differences in Animated Films” by Sullivan et al addresses this issue (10.1542/peds.2025-070939). The article states that disability and difference in children’s movies are often used to “evoke pity, humor, or villainy.” The study focused on portrayals of face differences such as scars, burns, and other unique traits. The authors looked at how often facial differences were shown, the types, and whether they were shown in a positive or negative way.

What did the study show?

Of the 500 characters analyzed from animated movies made between 1994 and 2023, just under 2% included facial differences. Here are a few of the other findings:

• No main characters had facial differences.
• If shown, nearly half were used for evil characters.
• Only one character spoke positively about their facial difference.
• Many movies did not explain the cause of the facial difference, and if they did, it was often the result of violence.

Why does this matter?

Animated movies are generally aimed at young children, and it’s known that the media they watch can influence the way they view and accept others. Seeing facial differences shown only in negative ways or ways that signal they are less important may send the message that people who look different are scary or evil. Relatedly, data shows that children with facial differences report poorer mental health outcomes and more bullying than children without.^1-4

The authors suggest that rather than perpetuating stigma, the media could instead work to promote acceptance and inclusion, regardless of how characters look. Studies have shown that positive examples of individual differences in media can improve acceptance and foster empathy.⁵

What can you do with this article?

• Pay attention to what your children watch. If appearance or identity-related traits are being used to make a character seem less likable or important, or as the center of a joke, ask open ended questions about what they think. Face Equality International is a great resource for how to have positive conversations with your child about differences. Changing Faces UK has great information about having conversations with children, including guides for classrooms.
• Offer media that show differences with more thoughtfulness. Wonder by E.J. Palacio is an example of a book, later made into a movie, (though not animated) that can develop empathy for those who go through life with a visible difference.
• Consider giving media companies feedback, positive and negative, via email or social media. If they are old enough, invite your children to be involved in demanding media that is fun for everyone, not funny at someone’s expense.

References

1. Masnari O, Schiestl C, Rossler J, et al. Stigmatization Predicts Psychological Adjustment and Quality of Life in Children and Adolescents With a Facial Difference. J Pediatr Psychol. 2013;38(2):162-172. doi:10.1093/jpepsy/jss106
2. Masnari O, Landolt MA, Roessler J, et al. Self- and parent-perceived stigmatisation in children and adolescents with congenital or acquired facial differences. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2012;65(12):1664-1670. doi:10.1016/j.bjps.2012.06.004
3. Feragen KB, Borge AIH. Peer harassment and satisfaction with appearance in children with and without a facial difference. Body Image. 2010;7(2):97-105. doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2009.12.001
4. Zucchelli F, Dalen MV, Bhatia R, White P, Hamlet C, Harcourt D. Do congenital and acquired causes of visible difference predict distinct appearance-related psychosocial outcomes? Body Image. 2023;45:355-361. doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2023.03.016
5. Nabors LA, Lehmkuhl HD, Warm JS. Children’s Acceptance Ratings of a Child with a Facial Scar: The Impact of Positive Scripts. Early Educ Dev. 2004;15(1):79-92. doi:10.1207/s15566935eed1501_5