Classroom politics: Teaching kids about Civics through Aussie TV

“You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.”

Sound familiar? I’m sure you’ve also heard of a “felony” and maybe even the phrase “I plead the fifth”.  The prevalence of American screen content has made this language familiar in Australia, even though these terms are not a part of our legal system. A university lecturer and barrister recently told me that he has seen self-represented litigants “pleading the fifth” in Victorian courts.

Meanwhile, national testing of school students to measure “attitudes and engagement” with civics and citizenship last year found just 28% of Year 10 students had a proficient level of understanding of the subject. For Year 6 students, proficiency fell from 53% in 2019 to 43% in 2024 – the worst result since testing started in 2004. This has prompted a Federal parliamentary committee to recommend a universal and mandatory civics and citizenship curriculum.

This is a critical issue. The rise of misinformation on social media and unregulated online platforms presenting themselves as authentic news sites, and increasing distrust in institutions, has led to a situation where many Australians seem to be confused about how our laws and governments work. A good example of this is the growing prevalence of “sovereign citizens”. This group began to grow in prominence in Australia during COVID lockdowns when they used their “sovereign citizenship” as a justification for breaching lockdown restrictions. So-called “sovereign people” believe that Australian laws do not apply to them.[1]  Some even like to justify their beliefs by quoting the Magna Carta, which – like the Miranda rights American police read as they carry out arrests – has nothing to do with Australian law.[2] The lack of knowledge around Australian civics contributes to the breakdown of social cohesion. And, as the national school testing results demonstrate, a lack of understanding about our laws and governance is on the rise among younger generations. This is why the parliamentary committee wants to introduce a mandatory school curriculum intended to prepare young people for the privilege of voting.

But why is this such a concerning issue? And what can we do to help inside and outside of the classroom?

Misinformation creates division in society and can lead to dangerous behaviour. It is crucial that Australian children have a strong understanding of how our laws and governments operate so that they can identify misinformation. It is also important that they understand the power and privilege they will have as voters in the future.

One way to engage Australian school children in civics and citizenship is to explore the subject through relevant screen content. If American screen content has the potential to seep into our consciousness and have us quoting the wrong Constitution in court, then perhaps our own Australian screen content should be considered for the way it reinforces Australian values, and as an important step in teaching our kids how to be good citizens. The Strengthening our Democracy report from the Department for Home Affairs last year noted the importance of ‘telling our stories’ and the positive impact that this can have on our democracy.[3]

When you start to look, there is an abundance of political themes in existing Australian children’s screen content. Programs including Mortified, Round the Twist, First Day, Little Lunch and The PM’s Daughter all feature episodes which, as well as being highly entertaining, convey key concepts about democracy which connect with young viewers of varying ages.

In the Little Lunch episode ‘The Election’, Rory announces that he wants to be the Prime Minister, prompting a Grade 5 class election. This introduces the democratic process to primary aged children in an engaging, age-appropriate way. The PM’s Daughter Series 1 and 2, targeted at an older demographic, introduces more complex concepts, such as donkey voting, the preferential voting system and electoral fraud. It highlights student voice, agency and leadership, modelling how young people can take meaningful action on the local and global issues that matter to them. 

The Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF) develops learning resources which align to the Australian Curriculum. Their teaching resources for The PM’s Daughter build knowledge of our democratic processes and civic responsibilities, with a strong focus on media literacy and critical thinking skills.

Understanding why and how we all play a part in our democratic society is an integral part of the education ecosystem. A robust democracy relies on active, informed citizenship. When we nurture democratic participation in students well before the voting age, we build next generations who are well equipped for the challenges involved in active citizenship. 

When so much of the content they consume features references to American politics and laws, it’s especially important for the next generation of voters to experience Australian stories which explore these concepts in a uniquely Australian way.

[1] The rise of ‘sovereign people’ and why they argue laws don’t apply to them | SBS The Feed

[2] The rise of ‘sovereign people’ and why they argue laws don’t apply to them | SBS The Feed

[3] Department of Home Affairs, ‘Strengthening our Democracy: A Practical Agenda for Democratic Resilience’ (2024).