While The Next Step focuses on teen drama and dance, it appears character development sometimes leans on surface-level traits, occasionally prioritizing diversity over depth. Storylines are generally standard for the genre, but there are evident nods to modern representation trends even in early seasons. Not egregious, but not untouched by the “woke” bug either.

Traditional values like family and ambition are present, but the show does shy away from strong portrayals of parental authority or traditional roles. Gender roles are largely fluid; masculinity and femininity are portrayed with a modern, sanitized lens. There's no overt subversion, but a noticeable shift from more grounded depictions.

Most characters adopt progressive attitudes, and alternative perspectives are rare or gently caricatured. Conflict rarely stems from ideological difference, it's more about personal drama, yet the show stays comfortably within a progressive worldview, making dissent almost invisible.