The Portrayal of Sibling Relationships in Digital Media Platforms Addressing Early Childhood: Niloya and Murat

Abstract

Children can reflect on the sibling relationships they observe in cartoons and their sibling relationships through the behavioral patterns and expressions they learn. This study examines sibling relationships in the most watched episodes of the cartoon Niloya, which children frequently watch. A case study from qualitative research models was used for this purpose. To collect the data, the YouTube page of the cartoon “Niloya” was examined, and the most watched episodes were determined to be 1-52 and 66-78. The sibling relationships in Niloya were thematized under three headings: siblings' interaction characteristics with each other, parents' expressions and behaviors towards sibling relationships, and siblings' reflections on their relationships with their parents. It was concluded that while doing activities together, playing, supporting each other, encouraging each other, appreciating, hugging, and using words of affection were frequently included, the conflict between siblings and parental involvement in siblings' conflicts and relationships were rarely covered.