PragerU Kids

PragerU Kids is the children's division of the controversial media organisation PragerU, created by Dennis Prager and kickstarted with venture capital from American petroleum industry businessmen Dan and Farris Wilks.[1] PragerU Kids came to wider media attention in the United States following the state of Florida's decision to allow PragerU Kids videos to be shown in the state's schools.[2]

Much of the content of PragerU Kids has come under scrutiny of media experts and educators, with examples being given of PragerU Kids videos which downplay the Warsaw Uprising.[3] Other messages within PragerU Kids videos include attempts to morally justify the British colonisation of India under the pretext of spreading Christianity and change, and Canada's healthcare system being inferior to the American one.[3] In one PragerU Kids video, George Floyd, an American man who died in police custody by Derek Chauvin was described as a black man who resisted arrest.[3] Some of the episodes are narrated by conservative media personalities Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens.[4]

Leo & Layla series

One of the video series released by PragerU Kids, titled Leo & Layla, features a pair of children who travel back in time to meet historical figures. Several of the videos in this series attempt to both defend and downplay the nature of slavery. In one video, the titular protagonists Leo & Layla meet Christopher Columbus who then defends slavery and demonizes the native people of America.[3][2][4]

References

  1. ^ Bowles, Nellie (January 4, 2020). "Right-Wing Views for Generation Z, Five Minutes at a Time". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
  2. ^ a b Mahsa Varkiani, Adrienne (1 August 2023). "Florida's New School Curriculum Is Designed to Make Kids Conservative". the new republic. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d Knefel, John (27 July 2023). "The lessons Florida public school students will learn from PragerU Kids". Media Matters. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  4. ^ a b Ceballos, Ana (9 August 2023). "Indoctrination in Florida schools? PragerU's conservative content aims to change minds". Miami Herald. Retrieved 10 August 2023.