Rider Strong Criticizes ‘Girl Meets World’ Episode for “Creepy” Storyline

Rider Strong has criticized an episode of the Disney Channel series “Girl Meets World,” calling one of its storylines inappropriate and disturbing.

On the “Pod Meets World” podcast, Strong discussed the show’s second episode with former “Boy Meets World” co-stars Danielle Fishel and Will Friedle. The episode, “Girl Meets Boy,” follows Riley (Rowan Blanchard) as her father and teacher, Cory (Ben Savage), tries to limit her use of technology.

Strong objected to a scene in which Cory secretly gives Riley’s best friend, Maya (Sabrina Carpenter), a smartphone and asks her to keep an eye on Riley. Strong said he was “genuinely disturbed” by the storyline and described it as “so creepy.”

He said the scene sends the wrong message because it shows an adult asking a child to keep a secret. Strong also noted that Cory’s actions contradict his earlier warnings about excessive phone use.

“I can’t believe this got through because it’s truly a weird message,” Strong said.