In the ‘80s, preteens had scratch-and-sniff stickers and truly terrible plastic roller skates. In the ‘90s, preteens had “So Weird” and “Breaker High,” in the ‘00s we had “True Jackson, VP,” Justice, and Claire’s. The preteens of the ‘10s have access to Claire’s, but it might not necessarily be their jam. If we look at what was popular within the ‘00s and what is popular now, we can compare. For instance, in the 2000s we had preteen or tween bands such as Mindless Behavior and The OMG Girlz. Now, the kids are subjected to music about sex, drugs, and more adult themes. As a young woman who is 18, the thought of preteens having no role models their age or anything for them rattles my brain. In this article, I would like to provide some commentary on an ongoing thing I have seen since becoming a young adult called the erasure of preteens.
During my preteen era, that being the ages of 9-12, I remember watching Disney Channel, TeenNick and Cartoon Network religiously. I remember I would record the TV shows and movies I would like to watch ahead of time and tune in for my favorite programs, “Raven’s Home,” “Descendants,” “SpongeBob” and “The Amazing World of Gumball” on a Saturday morning with a big bowl of cereal. Around that time, I was also still playing with toys. I did not have social media until I turned 13, and I watched YouTube videos of gameplays from CoryxKenshin, makeup from NikkieTutorials, comedy from Superwoman or Lily Singh, and lifestyle videos of teenagers like Rclbeauty101 and MyLifeAsEva. Even looking at music, I listened to Mindless Behavior, Beyonce, Little Mix, and Fifth Harmony. While their lyrics did have adult themes, they were intertwined into clever lyrics that my young ear was oblivious to. All I knew was I liked the song and the artist. Now the preteens watch makeup videos to transform themselves into baddies and watch the literal show “Baddies” on Zeus network, The preteens listen to Sexyy Red and TikTok hits. It feels like when we were preteens, we wanted to grow up quickly and our parents would not let us, while the kids are now allowed to present themselves as older. I kid you not, I saw what the preteens look like now on TikTok and wondered to myself how this middle schooler looked like a high schooler.
The point I am trying to make is that there is no transition zone for these kids; they go from Gracie’s Corner and “Skibidi Toilet” to Sexyy Red within a blink of an eye. There are no mainstream preteen bands or brands or anything really for them. It is concerning looking at it from the perspective of someone who had a steady transition from “The Backyardigans” and “Super Why!” to the “The Haunted Hathaways” and “SpongeBob” to “All American” and “On My Block.” I do not think preteens should be watching “P-Valley” or “Baddies;” those are shows for teens and young adults. I am curious about how we are going to give these kids something for them and only them. The preteens of the ‘10s need something for them, whether it is bands, brands, or role models. In 2025 and going forward, I would like to see young role models that 9-12-year-olds can look up to and feel inspired by. I would like for these kids to be kids; trust me, if I could tell preteens anything, I would say, enjoy your childhood — do not be in a rush to grow up.
