Disney Channel shows primarily involved the characters going through various teen or pre-teen issues with a comedic and light-hearted edge. As such, the shows had a widespread appeal to a young demographic and didn't offer much in the way of new or challenging stories beyond their target audience.

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However, on occasion, Disney Channel shows featured episodes that discussed a serious issue. With such a kid-oriented network, it would be easy for the shows to water down the magnitude of these topics. Fortunately, they were played with the right amount of sincerity and elevated the quality of the shows.

10 That's So Raven Cut Deep On Racism

Raven, Chelsea, and Eddie in Season 3 Episode 10 (True Colors) of That's So Raven

In the season 3 episode of That's So Raven titled True Colors, Raven Baxter (Raven Symone) applies for a job at her favorite clothing company. Despite her best efforts in the hiring process, she's rejected due to the manager refusing to hire black people.

Raven is shaken upon realizing racism still exists and how badly it hurts. The poignancy of the moment is cemented when her friend, Eddie Thomas (Orlando Brown), recounts how he had a white friend named Freddie when he was younger but lost him to Freddie's bigoted father. Eddie knew nothing about racial issues until then. However, he couldn't do anything about the matter and never saw his friend again.

9 Andi Mack Showed The Vulnerability Of Panic Attacks

Asher Angel as Jonah from Andi Mack suffering a panic attack

In the season two mid-season finale of Andi Mack, the characters celebrate their friend Cyrus Goodman's (Joshua Rush) bar mitzvah. During the festivities, Andi Mack (Peyton Elizabeth Lee) calls out her boyfriend, Jonah Beck (Asher Angel), on his lack of commitment. Later on, in his growing fear of losing Andi, Jonah suffers a panic attack.

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Fortunately, Jonah gets through the panic attack, but his vulnerability is genuine, and the incident is far from the last. Thankfully, his friends help him through subsequent panic attacks, and Andi's father, Bowie Quinn (Trent Garrett), teaches him music as a form of therapy.

8 Lizzie McGuire Didn't Hold Back On Miranda's Eating Habits

Lizzie Mcguire and Miranda Sanchez in the Lizzie Mcguire season 2 episode, Inner Beauty

The season 2 episode, Inner Beauty, follows Lizzie McGuire (Hilary Duff) and her best friend, Miranda Sanchez (Lalaine), shooting a music video together. After a misconceived notion that she's overweight, Miranda begins skipping meals.

The whole thing culminates in a frightening scene where Miranda faints in Lizzie's living room. When Lizzie tries to get to the bottom of the issue, Miranda's explanation of how even the simplest things feel beyond her control hit close to home. Thankfully, it's made clear she's not alone, and she begins to slowly and steadily get back on road to eating better. The danger and hardships of the matter aren't sugarcoated and make the episode well-remembered.

7 The Famous Jett Jackson Shined A Light On PTSD

Gordon Greene as Sheriff Wood Jackson In the Famous Jett Jackson

In the episode of The Famous Jett Jackson titled Heroes, Jett Jackson (Lee Thompson Young) finds out his dad, Sheriff Wood (Gordon Greene), was involved in a shoot-out. While Wood survived unscathed, he developed PTSD from having to kill an armed man.

Wood's turmoil over the matter is heartfelt as he struggles with his actions, while also being hailed by the townspeople as a hero. It builds up to his well-made speech at the end about how those who never use weapons and teach others to do the same are true heroes. The issue also hits hard on Jett as he has to convince his show's creators not to allow the use of guns so they can be better role models.

6 So Weird Had A Touching Struggle Of A Long Estranged Family

Disney Channel's So Weird Season 1 Episode 5: Lost

While So Weird often dealt with the paranormal and enjoyed a level of campiness, that didn't keep the show from being deep. In season one, episode five, titled Lost, Fiona Phillips (Cara Delizia) receives messages in her chat room from a girl revealed to have been in a coma for ten years.

Fiona and her family try to help the girl escape her coma, but as the girl's mother realizes her daughter is out there, the tension builds with every attempt Fiona makes to navigate the coma and communicate with the girl. While everything turned out fine in the end, there was every chance it wouldn't.

5 The Proud Family Gave Insight Into Other Cultures' Lifestyle

The Proud Family Episode, Culture Shock

The season three episode of The Proud Family titled Culture Shock follows Penny Proud as she trades places with a Pakistani girl for a week as part of a school project. Penny struggles to adjust, particularly with the family's observance of Ramadan.

Nonetheless, Penny eventually grows to understand the family's ways. Upon returning to their home after celebrating the end of Ramadan, they and Penny find the house vandalized with a racist message, much to their shock. The incident shows Penny how they're no different to her or any other family, which she presents well at an exhibition.

4 Girl Meets World Did Well On Parental Abandonment

Maya Hart and Kermit from Girl Meets World

While Girl Meets World didn't always do well at portraying crucial topics, the show came close with the episode Girl Meets the Forgiveness Project. In the episode, Maya Hart (Sabrina Carpenter) reaches out to her estranged father to hear his side about why he left her and her mother.

Both actors do a stellar job at nailing the right amount of emotion and likability. Maya is inevitably unable to forgive her father despite understanding her father's reasoning. However, she does understand how her father's actions were never her fault and that she has the right to forgive him when she's ready.

3 That's So Raven Tackled The Struggle Of Divorce

That's So Raven season 4 episode, the way we were

Eddie celebrates his birthday in one of the final episodes of That's So Raven. His friends invite his divorced parents as Eddie hopes to get them back together again. Alas, his hopes come crashing down when they make it clear it will never happen.

Eddie is heartbroken upon hearing this information, especially after going all out in his attempts. He goes so far as to blame himself for his parents' divorce. Despite knowing it wasn't his fault, he's devastated about not being able to have a family again. Thankfully, his friends console him and he makes amends with his parents, who promise to always celebrate his birthday together.

2 The Suite Life Of Zack And Cody Took The Dangers Of Extreme Eating Habits Head On

Maddie and Carey in The Suite Life Of Zack and Cody

In season 2 of The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, Maddie Fitzpatrick (Ashley Tisdale) and London Tipton (Brenda Song) are body-shamed by a woman heading to a charity fashion show the girls are partaking in. The woman's words don't sit well with them, and they try to adjust their bodies to feel more comfortable.

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Unfortunately, the two take drastic measures to do so by undereating and overeating. Despite being told by the adults in their life they're fine the way they are, they refuse to listen. On the day of the fashion show, both Maddie and London nearly pass out. They realize the adults were right, but it came at a near-dangerous price.

1 Andi Mack Surprised Viewers With Its Gun Safety Episode

TJ Kippen and Cyrus Goodman in Andi Mack

In season 3 of Andi Mack TJ Kippen (Luke Mullen) invites Cyrus to hang out with some friends for the weekend. Cyrus has fun until he finds out the ringleader of TJ's friends stole his father's gun and is using it as a toy.

Knowing how dangerous such a thing is, Cyrus leaves, although TJ refuses to do the same. Cyrus ends up having to register a statement with the police the next day regarding the incident. While thankfully no one got hurt, the magnitude of the matter is played straight from start to finish. Things remain tense between Cyrus and TJ in the next episode until the latter reveals he informed the police about the gun.

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