Disney Channel’s “Andi Mack” will continue to break new ground with its upcoming two part storyline.
Beginning with Friday’s episode, the show will tackle the issue of gun safety as well as peer pressure. We’ve seen TJ and Cyrus bond and in Friday’s episode TJ finally invites Cyrus to hang out with his friends but when one of TJ’s friends suggest they go from dirt biking to target practice, things change.
For this important storyline, Disney Channel programmers developed the episodes under the consultancy of the child development experts at The Brady Center and Hollywood, Health & Society (HH&S), a program of the USC Annenberg Norman Lear Center. In addition the episodes will include a public service announcement about gun safety.
Kory Lunsford, vice president, Current Series, Disney Channels Worldwide, said, “We’re committed to connecting with kids via relevant storytelling that can simultaneously aid parents in talking to their kids about important topics. This storyline was inspired by a tragedy that occurred in the family of one of the series writers and, with thoughtful care and expertise, the entire ‘Andi Mack’ team delivered a story that can provide a means for kids, their families and teachers to open the lines of communication about peer pressure and the dangers of unsupervised guns.”
Consultant Arthur Pober, Ed.D., said, “This type of program is very important in modeling for kids a ‘real life’ example of speaking up and doing the right thing. It can help give them the tools to openly communicate which is especially crucial in our anxiety-producing society.”
In addition, creator Terri Minsky added, “Our show is meant to entertain kids, yet we also want to help them make sense of a very complicated world, to make them feel safe and confident to talk to parents and trusted adults about gun safety.”
Be sure to tune in for the first part of the storyline this Friday at 8pm on Disney Channel and check out the cast talking about the importance of the issue and the episode below.