“The Little Mermaid looks like me!” - cross-cultural diversity, inclusion and children’s self-esteem on TikTok

Aug 20, 2026

Upload by Liam

Media expand awareness of inclusion and cross-cultural diversity, while platforms such as TikTok open new debate avenues aimed especially at children. The study analyzes children’s reactions to reaction videos connected to Disney’s live-action The Little Mermaid teaser. Qualitative content analysis of 50 video-reactions and sentiment analysis of 11,510 comments using natural language processing and GPT-based AI show strong positive reception of an African-American character, Halle Bailey, supporting broader optimism and enhanced self-esteem through more diverse representation.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages13

Reading Time33 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Media influence on children’s identity

TikTok reaction videos and debate formation

Methodology

Sample: 50 video-reactions and 11,510 comments

Inductive content analysis and sentiment analysis

Results

Reception of Halle Bailey’s portrayal

Emotional response and perceived threat

Discussion

Shared positivism and Disneyfied imagination

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Psychology, Society & Education
[www.uco.es/ucopress/ojs/index.php/psye](www.uco.es/ucopress/ojs/index.php/psye)
| | | --- | --- | --- | | “The Little Mermaid looks like me!”: cross-cultural diversity, inclusion and children’s self-esteem on TikTok
Mónica Bonilla-del-Río* 1 & Arantxa Vizcaíno-Verdú2
1 Universidad Europea del Atlántico, Santander (Spain)
2 Universidad Internacional de la Rioja, Madrid (Spain) | | | |
Keywords
Inclusion Social media Disney Childhood Stereotypes

PAlA brAs clAve
Inclusión Redes sociales Disney Infancia Estereotipos | |
AbstrAct
While media raise awareness about inclusion and cross-cultural diversity worldwide, new avenues for debate are emerging in social media platforms such as TikTok, targeting especially children’s audiences. An example of this are the popular reaction videos to film releases such as the teaser of Disney’s The Little Mermaid live action, which have constructed discussion networks around symbolic representation, colonial decentralization, stereotypical rupture, or the Caucasian imaginary in childhood. This study examines children’s reactions and community sentiment expressed on TikTok through qualitative analysis of 50 video-reactions and sentiment analysis of 11,510 comments. For this purpose, we conducted an inductive content analysis using 10 codes, including “diversity and inclusion”,“emotions”,“prejudice”, and “racial/ethnic identity”, as well as a sentiment analysis coded using natural language processing and artificial intelligence based on OpenAI’s GPT model. The findings indicate that the portrayal of an African-American character, Halle Bailey, is well-received by minors, fostering a widespread positive response towards cross-cultural diversity. The representation of a black complexion and copper-brown hair, in contrast to the former Caucasian and red-haired icon, does not appear to intimidate children, who express enthusiasm and excitement about her role. This representation reflects a sense of shared positivism, where both the adult and child“Disneyfied” imagination suggest a future based on diversity and enhanced self-esteem for children. | | | | “¡La Sirenita es como yo!”: diversidad intercultural, inclusión y autoestima infantil en TikTok

resume n
Amedida que los medios extienden mundialmente la concienciación sobre la inclusióny la diversidad intercultural, en redes sociales como TikTok emergen nuevas vías para el debate, lo que afecta, entre otros, al público infantil. Una muestra de ello son los populares vídeos-reacción que, ante lanzamientos cinematográficos como el teaser del live action de La Sirenita de Disney, construyen cadenas de interacción en las que se polemiza sobre la representación simbólica, la descentralización colonial, la ruptura estereotípica o el imaginario caucásico en la infancia. Este estudio explora las reacciones infantiles y el sentimiento comunitario desplegado en TikTok mediante el análisis cualitativo de 50 vídeo-reacciones y el análisis de sentimiento de 11,510 comentarios. Para ello, se desarrolló un análisis de contenido inductivo que introducía 10 códigos, como “diversidad e inclusión”,“emociones”,“prejuicios” e “identidad racial/étnica”, y un análisis de sentimiento codificado con procesamiento del lenguaje natural e inteligencia artificial basado en el modelo GPT de OpenAI. Los resultados revelan que la representación de una protagonista afroamericana, Halle Bailey, es bien recibida por los menores, generando un positivismo generalizado en torno a la diversidad intercultural. La tez negra y el cabello castaño cobrizo frente a la que fue un icono caucásico y pelirrojo parece no amedrentar a los infantes, que expresan entusiasmo yemoción ante su papel. Esta representación denota una suerte de positivismo generalizado, en el que el imaginario“Disneyzado” adulto e infantil apunta hacia un futuro basado en la diversidad y la autoestima infantil. | * Corresponding autho

FAQs

What debate topic does the study focus on regarding TikTok and children?

It examines cross-cultural diversity, inclusion, and how TikTok reaction videos discuss representation related to the Disney live-action The Little Mermaid teaser.

How was the data analyzed in this research?

The study used qualitative inductive content analysis of 50 video-reactions with 10 coding categories, and sentiment analysis of 11,510 comments using NLP and GPT-based AI.

What do the findings suggest about children’s responses to Halle Bailey’s portrayal?

The portrayal of Halle Bailey as an African-American character is well-received by minors, with responses showing enthusiasm and excitement rather than intimidation, reflecting positive expectations for diversity.

Aug 20, 2026

Upload by Liam