The Federal Communications Commission wants parents to weigh in on potentially changing the content warning system over these topics.

FCC seeks parent feedback on whether ‘controversial gender identity issues’ should be in children’s programming

The Federal Communications Commission wants parents to weigh in on potentially changing the content warning system over these topics.

By Marina Watts

Marina Watts

Marina Watts is a news writer for with seven years experience covering entertainment, pop culture and celebrity news. Her previous work appears in PEOPLE, Bustle and Newsweek.

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April 22, 2026 5:01 p.m. ET

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Donald Trump; stock photo of children watching television. Credit:

- The FCC is seeking feedback from parents about whether gender identity issues should be in children's programming.

- A survey asks whether parents are aware that programs rated appropriate for young children may contain "the discussion or promotion of gender identity themes."

- The FCC has released controversial guidelines since Trump came to office.

The Federal Communications Commission under President Trump is seeking feedback on gender identity featured in children's programs.

According to a memo issued on April 22, the FCC's media bureau is launching an inquiry focused on parents making "informed choices" about the television programs their children watch. The TV Oversight Management Board's TV Parental Guidelines, established in 1997, aim to ensure "parents are adequately informed about video programming on television that their children may be exposed to."

Per the FCC, television has a "uniquely pervasive presence" in children's lives, and parents should be given "timely information" about the content that could be potentially harmful.

The memo wants parents to respond to whether they've become concerned over "controversial gender identity issues" being included or promoted by children's programs. Additionally, has the rating system failed to disclose the nature of the content to parents?

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"Specifically, the industry guidelines that parents rely on are rating shows with transgender and gender non-binary programming as appropriate for children and young children, and doing so without providing this information to parents, thereby undermining the ability of parents to make informed choices for their families," the memo continued.

Stock photo of a child watching television.

The FCC seeks commentary on whether the television industry's approach continued to provide parents with relevant and up-to-date information.**

The memo questions whether parents are aware that programs rated appropriate for young children may contain "the discussion or promotion of gender identity themes." Therefore, should the programs shift in ratings or provide descriptions with these topics for parents?**

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Another inquiry the FCC seeks feedback on is whether the descriptions of children's content "provide a sufficient basis for parents to make informed decisions concerning viewing decisions for their family, including when gender identity themes are discussed or displayed?"

The FCC's media bureau seeks feedback about these topics in the coming weeks.

Donald Trump in Las Vegas in April 2026.

Jim Watson/Getty

The FCC under Trump has released other controversial guidelines in recent months. In January, a memo stated that late-night talk shows should not be considered "bona fide" news programs and shouldn't be exempt from the equal time rule, which gives political candidates on both sides an equal amount of air time.

"The FCC has not been presented with any evidence that the interview portion of any late night or daytime television talk show program on air presently would qualify for the bona fide news exemption," the guidelines stated.

Additionally, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr threatened to "look into" *The View *in September after ABC temporarily pulled *Jimmy Kimmel Live *following his comments about the "MAGA Gang" response to Charlie Kirk's assassination, which led to Carr encouraging ABC's parent company, Disney, to intervene.

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