Children’s shows currently on TV just aren’t what they used to be. Many leave an awful example for children, have characters that use inappropriate language, and conceptually are a wreck.
New research shows that just watching someone do something is like practicing it yourself because of “mirror neurons” in the brain. This could be potentially hazardous, since there are shows like Dora that lead children to think that it is okay to go in the woods without parent supervision. Dora also speaks to strangers and goes on very dangerous adventures.
When children hear certain words they tend to repeat them, because that is how they learned to speak. This could pose a problem if a child hears an improper word and repeats it. On “The Camping Episode” from Season Three of SpongeBob, Squidward calls SpongeBob and Patrick “idiots.”
In SpongeBob the word “stupid” is also used, which could be pretty repulsive to hear coming from a child. In one of the show’s episodes the characters even discuss thirteen swear words in their own language. Even though they weren’t the actual words, it is still a pretty foolish thing for children to watch.
Also, in the second episode of the first season of Sam and Cat, Cat said, “Yo, man that girl is stupid.”
Sophomore Emily Armogan said, “Some shows have violence, which could be a bad influence on children. Even shows like SpongeBob use their own form of profane language.”
Not only do shows now have foul words and misleading actions, but they also have violence. In the show Tom and Jerry the main characters are constantly fighting one another and hitting each other with things like pans.
In regard to whether or not children shows are what they used to be, sophomore Johntae Hohn said, “I think they’re getting less educational and more unrealistic as the years go by. I guess the trend is to have random corny shows, and have the storyline with less meaning or real moral value behind it.”
Children’s shows need to increase in educational value and be appropriate, or children could really be damaged. Many of the things that children see constantly stick in their minds, and those things should help their future, not misguide it. Shows need to think about their purpose and keep in mind the age of their viewers.