Leslie Massey
Spiders are a touchy subject in Australia, which is home to some of the world's most venomous spiders, including the redback and wolf spider. In 2017, an episode of Peppa Pig was banned in Australia for delivering the message that spiders can't hurt you. The Australian Broadcasting Company deemed this message inappropriate for Australian audiences. This incident sparked discussions about other media content involving spiders, such as the cartoon character Lucas the Spider and even the superhero Spider-Man, and whether similar concerns about inaccurate portrayals of spiders could lead to their restriction in Australia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country | Australia |
| Show | Peppa Pig |
| Episode | "Mister Skinnylegs" or "Spider Web" |
| Reason for Ban | Teaches children not to be afraid of spiders, which is dangerous in a country known for its deadly spiders |
| Decision-Maker | Australian Broadcasting Company/Corporation, ABC Kids |
| Alternative Opinions | The episode was deemed "light-hearted, friendly, and very mild in impact" by Nick Jr. |
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What You'll Learn
Peppa Pig episode banned in Australia
An episode of Peppa Pig was banned in Australia for teaching children that spiders are harmless. In the episode, Daddy Pig tells Peppa that spiders are "'very, very small' and 'can't hurt you'". The children are then shown picking up the spider, tucking it into bed, and offering it some tea. This message was deemed "inappropriate for Australian audiences" as Australia is home to many species of venomous spiders, including the redback spider, the funnel-web spider, the white-tailed spider, and the wolf spider.
The episode, titled "Mister Skinny Legs", was aired once on Nick Jr. Australia but was pulled from the air after complaints from concerned parents. The channel initially refused to remove the episode, stating that the spider did not look real and the episode was light-hearted and mild in impact. However, after further media attention, the episode was removed from the programming rotation.
Despite the ban, the episode was accidentally published online and aired again on Nickelodeon's Nick Jr. channel in August 2017. This prompted further complaints, and the episode was banned from future broadcast by the Australian Broadcasting Company.
This is not the first time Peppa Pig has faced censorship in Australia. In 2013, conservative commentator Piers Akerman accused the show of having "a weird feminist line." Additionally, the episode "Gym Class" was banned in Ireland due to Suzy's gym outfit, and the episode "Families" was banned in Italy and Russia due to the LGBT themes involving Penny Polar Bear's mothers.
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Spiders in Australia are venomous
Spiders in Australia have a fearsome reputation. While bees are a more common threat, and most spiders are harmless, Australia is home to some of the world's most venomous spiders. Spider venom is designed for small prey and delivered in small quantities that are often fatal to tiny creatures but can be handled by bigger organisms. However, some spiders produce venom that can be harmful to humans.
The Sydney funnel-web spider is considered the deadliest spider in Australia and possibly the world. It is found in New South Wales, in forests and urban areas, and can be aggressive when threatened. The funnel-web has fangs larger than a brown snake's, capable of piercing through nails and toenails. Its venom contains a compound that can attack the human nervous system and alter the functioning of all organs and, when coming from a male, can be fatal. One in six bites causes a severe reaction, but since the antivenom became available in 1981, there have been no recorded fatalities.
Redback spiders are found throughout Australia, including in urban areas. They often hide in dry, sheltered places such as garden sheds, mailboxes, and under toilet seats. About 2,000 bites are reported each year, with around 250 people receiving antivenom. No deaths have been recorded since redback antivenom became available in the 1950s. Most serious bites are from female redback spiders, which are bigger than males and have a distinctive red stripe on their back. Their venom affects the nervous system, which is potentially dangerous for humans, but their small fangs mean many bites are ineffective. Symptoms of a bite include severe and persistent pain, nausea, malaise, and lethargy.
Other dangerous spiders in Australia include the wolf spider and the huntsman spider, which can be as big as a dinner plate but is usually the size of an adult hand. Huntsman spiders are not venomous but can run and jump towards humans when they feel threatened.
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Teaching kids about spiders
Spiders are fascinating creatures, and teaching kids about them can be a fun and educational experience. While some people may find spiders scary, it's important to approach the topic with age-appropriate information and activities to foster curiosity and respect for these eight-legged creatures. Here are some ideas to teach kids about spiders:
Nature Study and Web Observation
Take your kids on a nature walk and look for spider webs. Observe the intricate patterns and structures of the webs, and if possible, try to spot the spider that built it. This activity can be a great way to introduce kids to the wonders of spider architecture and their natural habitats.
Arts and Crafts
Spider-themed arts and crafts activities can make learning about spiders fun and creative. Provide kids with black paper plates and white crayons or glue to draw spider webs. They can also use pipe cleaners, plastic googly eyes, and play dough to create their own unique spiders. These hands-on activities help children explore their creativity while engaging with the subject.
Reading and Rhymes
Incorporate spider-themed books, songs, and rhymes into your teaching. Reading aloud from books like "The Very Busy Spider" by Eric Carle or "Charlotte's Web" can spark discussions and curiosity about spiders. Additionally, rhymes and chants, such as "The Itsy Bitsy Spider," can make learning fun and help children develop their sense of rhythm and rhyme.
Fine Motor Skills Activities
Spider-themed fine motor skills activities can be both educational and enjoyable. Provide kids with spider-themed cutting, threading, bending, and gluing activities. For example, they can create spider webs using tweezers or practice their math skills by making patterns with spiders. These activities help children develop their hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.
Spider Safety
While teaching kids about spiders, it's important to include information about spider safety, especially if you live in an area with venomous spiders. Teach kids to respect spiders and maintain a safe distance. Educate them about the potential dangers of certain spiders and the appropriate actions to take if they encounter one. This practical knowledge will help them develop a healthy understanding of spiders and their environment.
By incorporating these activities into your teaching, you can make learning about spiders engaging and informative for kids. Remember to adapt the activities to the appropriate age group and always supervise children when discussing or interacting with spiders.
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Spiders can hurt you
In 2017, an episode of Peppa Pig was banned in Australia for telling children that spiders can't hurt them. This was deemed "inappropriate for Australian audiences" as the country is home to some of the most venomous spiders in the world. While most spiders aren't aggressive towards humans and their bites rarely cause serious issues, some spiders can indeed hurt you.
Spiders typically only bite humans when they feel threatened. Most spider bites cause mild, treatable symptoms, and many bites go unnoticed. However, some spider bites can cause redness, swelling, and pain in the bite area. The severity of symptoms depends on the type of spider, the amount of venom injected, and the sensitivity of the person's body to the venom.
Widow spiders and recluse spiders, such as the black widow and brown recluse, are among the most dangerous. These spiders like warm climates and dry, dark places. Their bites can cause severe symptoms, including trouble breathing, severe headaches, abdominal pain, and muscle cramps. Hobo spiders and wolf spiders can also be harmful, with wolf spider bites tearing the skin and causing redness, pain, and swelling.
While most spiders' fangs are too small to puncture human skin, some spiders have fangs long enough to penetrate and inject their venom. However, even in these cases, the amount of venom they can inject is usually not enough to cause significant harm to humans. Unless a large amount of venom is injected, the impact is typically limited to localized itching or swelling.
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Mister Skinnylegs
In 2017, an episode of Peppa Pig called "Spider Web" was banned in Australia due to concerns about its message regarding spiders. The episode features a friendly spider named Mister Skinnylegs, who Peppa befriends. This was deemed inappropriate for Australian audiences as Australia is home to some of the world's most venomous and dangerous spiders, including the redback and wolf spider. The Australian Broadcasting Company agreed that it was irresponsible to air the episode, as it could teach children not to fear spiders, which could be dangerous in an Australian context.
The decision to ban the episode was made by the Australian Broadcasting Company, which held the broadcast rights to Peppa Pig in Australia. While some people agreed with the decision, others criticised it as overprotective or unnecessary. It is worth noting that Mister Skinnylegs had previously appeared in another episode where Peppa was afraid of him, creating a mixed message about spider safety within the show.
The episode was banned from airing on television and online, but it did resurface online a few years later and was banned again. It is important to note that the ban only applied to the specific episode featuring Mister Skinnylegs and not to the character's overall existence within the Peppa Pig universe.
While the episode was not aired on Australian television, it is still accessible through other means, such as YouTube. Additionally, the ban on the episode "Spider Web" does not indicate a ban on the character Mister Skinnylegs himself, as he may still appear in other media or merchandise associated with Peppa Pig.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Spider-Man is not banned in Australia.
An episode of Peppa Pig was banned in Australia because it tells kids that "spiders can't hurt you".
The episode was banned because it was deemed inappropriate for Australian audiences as it could teach children not to be afraid of spiders, which is dangerous in a country known for its deadly spiders.
The name of the banned episode is "Mister Skinnylegs" or "Spider Web".
Yes, an episode of Bluey, an Australian children's television program, called "Family Meeting" was banned on Disney+ because a dog farted.
