Are you ever too old for Disney?

Billy Ray and Miley Cyrus in “Hannah Montana.”

By Cynthia Hager
Poca High School

“Sweet niblits!”

If you know that phrase, then you’re probably a “Hannah Montana” fan. But since “Hannah Montana” is on the Disney Channel, some teenagers worry about what their peers would think if they knew that they watched the show instead of, say, “The Hills” or “The O.C.”

But, really, is there anything wrong with watching the Disney Channel - or other family friendly channels like Nickelodeon or ABC Family - as a teenager? Several Poca students were polled to find out.

“Of course I watch the Disney Channel!” exclaimed sophomore Chelsea Parson. “I love it! I love all the original movies.

“‘Hannah Montana’ is my favorite show,” she continued. “I also like ‘That’s So Raven’ and ‘The Suite Life of Zach & Cody.’ I think anyone can watch it. I mean, my mom still does!”

Sophomore Rebecca Gibson agreed. “I still watch Disney Channel occasionally. I mainly watch ‘That’s So Raven’ and several of their movies, such as ‘High School Musical.’

“I think that it’s totally acceptable to watch shows on Disney,” she continued. “You don’t have to worry about drug use, sexual content and cussing.

“Their shows and movies relate to our teenage years, and I think they are more entertaining than what you mainly watch on MTV and VH1. It doesn’t have to be for little kids only. Even though you are 16 years old, you are still a young adult and don’t need to be exposed to some things on television.”

But others, like senior Alex Boyles, don’t watch.

“I don’t personally watch Disney Channel, but I have nothing against people who do,” she said. “It’s all about what kinds of things interest you. I usually watch things on MTV, like ‘Next’ or ‘The Real World,’ but I also love to watch Fuse and listen to music videos.”

“I don’t watch Disney Channel constantly, but I do every once in a while,” said sophomore Brittany Laughlin. “It is good to actually watch something that doesn’t have to do with sex, drugs, alcohol or any other problem with the world.”

So it seems that what teens watch is not as big of a deal to their peers as they may think. Whether you’re a fan of “Hannah Montana” or “The O.C.,” most people will treat you exactly the same way. In the end, it all comes down to personal preference.