Jams: The First Kids Series to Tackle Sexual Harassment
Next year, a new Italian television series set to blow up kids’ screens will center on a tough subject usually left to the adults: sexual harassment. The show, titled Jams, follows 11‑year‑old Joy as she navigates a tricky situation involving a powerful family friend and a lawyer who also plays soccer with her dad.
Why this is a Game‑Changer
Rai Ragazzi, the network’s kids division, says this is the first show aimed at 9‑to‑14‑year‑olds that deals entirely with sexual harassment. Luca Milano, head of the channel, is looking ahead, hinting that future episodes may also cover bullying, abuse and the social shame kids feel.
The creators worked hand‑in‑hand with a panel of leading child psychologists before writing or shooting a single scene. In fact, a neuropsychology team from a Rome hospital supervised both script and direction.
A Support System for the Cast
“The team not only helped write the show, but they also support the child actors throughout production,” Milano explains. “Kids are just kids, so when they have to portray tough moments, we’ve got to make sure it’s handled carefully.”
Premiere at MIPJunior
A clip from the 10‑part series was met with roaring applause at MIPJunior, the Cannes‑based children’s entertainment market. The storyline opens with Joy shining in a school cooking contest, then suddenly feeling off. “It’s her friends who first notice something’s wrong, not her parents,” Milano notes.
Targeting empowerment, the drama teaches children to spot risky situations and equips parents with ways to read signals. “It’s also about helping kids talk to adults when it’s not easy to bring up these topics,” he says.
A Sensitive, Realistic Approach
Rai insists that only a public broadcaster could responsibly handle such a gray area, stressing the necessity of patience and precision. “The tone has to be just right because children respond differently each year, and the words matter.”
“The show is realistic, partly improvised so the kids can choose their own words. It’s all about empowering them,” Milano underscores.
Production Wrap‑Up & Education Campaign
Filming is slated to finish by end‑November. Meanwhile, Rai is already crafting an education campaign to run alongside the series, with other broadcasters observing the outcomes closely.
“This is very hard content for a kids’ channel,” Milan acknowledges. “But the theme is vital—we’re doing the right thing.”
A Positive Ending
Joy’s story concludes on a hopeful note, as she deepens friendships and “continues her normal life after the adults intervene,” according to Milano.
“We love to bring soft stories for kids, let them dream in fairytales, but we must also equip them for real life with stories that reflect it,” he says with conviction.
Setting the Spotlight on Italy’s Media Landscape
Italy hasn’t always been the beacon of enlightened programming. The country’s former PM Silvio Berlusconi’s channel empire became notorious for scantily‑clad female presenters, while recent film festivals have been accused of “toxic masculinity.”
But with Jams, a fresh, thoughtful approach is emerging—one that promises to give children the tools they need while still keeping the excitement alive.
