Editor-in-training Ja’Nyah Villa is a three-year member of the Wildcat Chronicle who frequently writes opinion pieces. The views expressed in this piece are her own.
“Trolls” is an ongoing children’s franchise that revolves around a fantasy world filled with colors, music, adventure, and some incredibly mature themes.
The first “Trolls” movie was released in 2016 and the franchise has grown increasingly popular over the years. The third movie, “Trolls Band Together,” was released in 2023 and had some questionable moments, which probably contributed to its rating of 6/10 on IMDb, and is PG.
It is not news that kids’ movies often slip in a mature joke or two for the parents sitting through them, but the so-called “jokes” in the “Trolls” movies are so distinct that they do not go over the heads of children. Especially now, when the average age at which kids have access to the internet is under 12. This becomes even more concerning now, with the average age at which children are exposed to the internet steadily decreasing—under 12 for many. Having access to the internet at a young age, especially if not regulated and overseen, causes children to stumble into territories that may be too mature. Being exposed to violent, sexual, or crude content will only lead to desensitization, emotional immaturity, and loss of innocence. Children, especially in their formative years, are incredibly impressionable, and being exposed to violent, sexual, or crude content at this stage can lead to desensitization, emotional immaturity, and loss of innocence.
UNICEF, an organization that strives to protect children, states that “While many jurisdictions have effectively restricted children’s access to pornography in non-digital media…efforts to do the same in digital environments have not been effective.”
When the creators of children’s movies such as “Trolls” decide to include one too many jokes or lyrics that contain sexual or violent innuendos, they are actively exposing children to content that can alter their behavior in harmful ways. This content does not simply fade into the background for kids; it can have lasting effects on their perception of relationships, personal boundaries, and appropriate behavior.
The lewd lyrics begin in the first movie of the “Trolls” franchise. Justin Timberlake, a former member of NSYNC, and voice actor for the character of Branch, wrote the song “Can’t Stop The Feeling” for the movie. In 2016, the song was number one on the Billboard charts for its catchy chorus and upbeat instrumentals. Just imagine a top song, playing on the radio, in grocery stores, and other children-populated spaces, that’s about carnal intimacy. But beneath that upbeat facade, the lyrics have a far more adult connotation, and the message is unequivocal: “And under the lights when everything goes / Nowhere to hide when I’m getting you close / When we move / Well, you already know.”
The intensity increases in the second movie, “Trolls World Tour.” In the song “Trolls Wanna Have Good Times,” the third verse is odd: “The chills that you spill up my back / Keep me filled with satisfaction /When we’re done/satisfaction is what to come /I couldn’t ask for another.” This reference, which seems to flirt with sexual undertones, may very well go over the heads of younger children, but it’s still important to acknowledge that they may hear and internalize these types of phrases.
Finally, in “Trolls Band Together,” the most inappropriate lyric was from the song “Let’s Get Married,” where one of the characters is getting ready for her wedding: “Ooh, baby, baby, b-baby, baby / Brush it (brush it) / Wax it (wax it) / Shave it (shave it) / P-push it real good.” While it might seem harmless at first glance, the casual, upbeat tone of this song masks its suggestive nature, further blurring the lines between appropriate children’s content and more adult themes.
The songs – and even some jokes – in the “Trolls” series are far too inappropriate for a kid’s movie. The “Trolls” franchise should be rated PG-13, and future films should do a better job of hiding jokes and lyrics like these. In fact, many parents may be unaware of the true nature of this content unless they specifically look for it, which underscores the need for more vigilance in the kinds of media children are exposed to.
The songs in this film – and others – beg the question: why are writers sexualizing children? PG-rated movies are increasingly inappropriate, such as “The Emoji Movie,” and “Gremlins.” There is a noticeable trend where media targeted at children increasingly carries mature, adult-oriented content. Children are losing their innocence at an earlier age than previous generations, but even so, society should be pushing to change that notion, not conform to it. Rather than accepting this shift in content, society must advocate for responsible media creation that maintains appropriate boundaries for young audiences. This reporter suggests stricter security measures that limit access to certain forms of media, and more awareness when it comes to the many forms of media that disguise mature content and promote it to children (i.e. “Sausage Party”).
This effort to push mature content onto children is so dangerous to the youth, because not only is it planting seeds in their minds, but children who emotionally mature quicker than others have higher risks of mental health issues and other unfortunate behavior, including anxiety, depression, and lack of confidence. Exposing children to adult themes too early can create unrealistic expectations for their emotional development and leave them struggling with emotional regulation. That is why it is so important to oversee a child’s media consumption, or not allow them on the internet at all. When children consume unfiltered media, the consequences can be far-reaching and damaging to their mental well-being.
Parents these days are too lazy to raise their children, so they let the internet do it for them. While this generalization may not apply to all, it highlights an unfortunate truth that many parents either do not have the time or the awareness to properly supervise their children’s media usage, leading to a greater reliance on digital platforms to guide their children’s upbringing.
