Interactive Nickelodeon Site Teaches Kids Tools to Engage Elections and Youth Interest in Vote

Democracy, elections, and voting at Democracy Chronicles

Nickelodeon hits the campaign trail this fall with “Nick News with Linda Ellerbee” and its “Kids Pick the President” initiative. The initiative will offer election-themed educational content both on-air and online, leading up to the week-long kids’ vote starting Oct. 15.

The program begins with two Nick News specials, “Kids Pick the President: The Issues” on Monday, Sept. 17, followed by “Kids Pick the President: The Candidates” on Monday, Oct. 15. After the Oct. 15 special, children will have the opportunity to cast their vote for who they think should be the next president.

Nickelodeon is available to all Suddenlink customers who have what is commonly known as Expanded Basic TV service.

Nick News, produced by Lucky Duck Productions, is now in its 20th year and is the longest-running kids’ news show in television history. It has built its reputation on the respectful and direct way it speaks to kids about the important issues of the day. In 2009, Nick News was honored with its first ever Edward R. Murrow Award for “Network News Documentary” for the documentary special, “Coming Home: When Parents Return from War,” marking the first-ever kids television program to receive the prestigious award.

Over the years, Nick News has received more than 20 Emmy nominations and recently won its ninth Emmy Award in the category of Outstanding Children’s Nonfiction Program for “Under the Influence: Kids of Alcoholics.” Additional Emmy wins for Outstanding Children’s Programming include: “The Face of Courage: Kids Living with Cancer” (2010); “Coming Home: When Parents Return from War” (2009); “The Untouchable Kids of India” (2008); “Private Worlds: Kids and Autism” (2007); “From the Holocaust to the Sudan” (2005); “Faces of Hope: The Kids of Afghanistan” (2002); “What Are You Staring At?” (1998). In addition, in 1994, the entire series won the Emmy for Outstanding Children’s Programming.

Nick News has also received three Peabody Awards, including a personal award given to Ellerbee for her coverage for kids of the President Clinton investigation, as well as two Columbia duPont Awards and more than a dozen Parents’ Choice Awards.