'Young justice': How superheroes positively impact the development of kids

When I was a child, I vividly remember my mother forbidding me from watching certain episodes of The Batman (2004) because she believed they were too violent. I also recall similar concerns among my friends' parents at the time with other series that were running on networks like Cartoon Network and Boomerang. Sometimes, I even wonder if it was a contributing factor to the decline of the genre in animation. However, I’ve always felt that superhero media holds far more value than detriment for children, and an article by CBS Austin articulates my stance perfectly. The piece, which highlights an annual 'Superhero Day' at Dell Children’s Medical Centre in Austin, TX, showcases actors dressed as superheroes visiting young patients just last week. This simple act of bringing joy, hope, and inspiration to children who are facing challenging circumstances is proof enough for me that superhero exposure is inherently positive.

Superheroes embody values like bravery, resilience, and selflessness—qualities that are crucial for a child’s emotional and moral development. At its core, superhero media teaches kids that good can triumph over evil and that even in the darkest times, hope is not lost. For children who may struggle with fear or insecurity, seeing characters who face their own fears and challenges can be empowering.

Take, for instance, children who are hospitalised, as mentioned in the CBS Austin article. Being in a hospital, especially as a child, will surely feel incredibly isolating and frightening. The presence of superheroes, even in symbolic form, offers these children a source of strength and someone to look up to. Superheroes are larger-than-life figures who, while having invincibility, still struggle with personal issues and dilemmas, and by meeting these characters, children are reminded that they too can overcome difficult situations, just like their heroes—a phenomenon known as ‘The Batman Effect’, a term coined in a study by Rachel E. White in 2016.

The message superheroes convey isn’t just relevant to children in need or those who are sick—it resonates with all kids. Whether it’s schoolwork, coming from an unstable family, struggling socially, dealing with personal growth and identity, or coping with grief, superheroes offer something deeply meaningful. Megan Margulies' heartfelt 2020 article, Kids Need Superheroes Now More Than Ever, captures this beautifully. She recounts how her daughter found a moment of inspiration when she discovered a Captain America costume, experiencing what Margulies describes as an 'epiphany' of comfort and strength. The story illustrates how children can find solace in superheroes, using them as a kind of ‘talisman’, Margulies describes—just as they might with a cherished doll or teddy bear.

I’d wager that superhero play is what causes the most concern for parents. I’m not a teacher, a parent, or a family therapist—nor do I claim to be an expert on what’s best for children—I firmly believe that the final decision always rests with the parents. What I can do, however, is share how my own experiences as a child shaped my development in a positive way. Superhero play not only had a beneficial impact on me but also created some of my fondest childhood memories.

Something that I think is often overlooked by general audiences when discussing the values of superheroes is the idea that powers are not what makes someone good—it is their morals. Exposure to superhero media and participating in superhero play can teach kids that it is not the superficial stuff—the powers, the costumes, the fighting—that makes someone a superhero, but their empathy and morals and what they choose to do with their gifts. An expert at Hey Dee Ho Educational Services highlighted the benefits of superhero play on children's development, and alongside creativity, teamwork, cooperation, consent and safety, empathy is one of the defining attributes listed, emphasising that superhero play helps children develop empathy by imagining others' feelings and perspectives, while also teaching them that true heroism comes from qualities like kindness, courage, and determination, not just physical strength.