SpongeBob SquarePants is the most-watched TV show among kids between the ages of 2 to 11.
Quoted from Time Healthland article, “Study: Fast-Moving Cartoons like SpongeBob May Impair Kids’ Focus” September 12, 2011 by Bonnie Rochman.
I admit I was surprised by this comment. I had no idea so many children as young as 2 were watching SpongeBob Squarepants. In SpongeBob’s defense the show is not suggested for viewing by children under the age of 6. Parents need to vigilant when allowing a preschooler to watch television that they are exposing the child to only age appropriate shows. In addition, I find it imperative a parent watch a TV show before allowing a child to view it. Many feel a child as young as 6 should not be watching SpongeBob Squarepants.
The article mentioned above went on to say that a study had been done to show children had difficulty focusing after watching fast moving cartoons as opposed to slower educational ones. The study was published in Pediatrics. The study did not specifically mention SpongeBob but “very popular fantastical cartoon about an animated sponge that lives under the sea”. I think we can all agree on which TV show this describes. The study went on to say that children who watched just nine minutes of this show as opposed to Caillou or a slower paced educational show had much more difficulty focusing. You can read more about the article and study conducted by the University of Virginia.
While not everyone agreed with the findings of the study, I admit that I do. In fact, I did not need a study to tell me fast paced cartoons or those of little value like SpongeBob or the Fairy Odd Parents do not benefit a child. In fact, even my 13 year old agrees these shows are not more than twaddle (a Charlotte Mason term for a book of little value for a child). The shows are chaotic, use offensive language, and are over stimulating. These types of shows do not allow the child to process information but throws it at the child like someone throwing a pot of spaghetti on a child’s head. A child cannot focus because she barely has time to breathe. In a world with shock TV, reality TV, and video games how can we expect less? We are constantly pushing the bar for entertainment. We want more action, more color, more wow, more shock, more noise, more of everything. We want to be taken on thrill ride. We do not want to think but escape. While, I understand using TV or movies as escape it seems all the “thinking” is being done for us. Fast paced cartoons are only the child version of this and setting a child up for being a spectator or someone who needs to be entertained. How dare we risk being bored!
Tell me, what do you think? Do you think a little SpongeBob is good for the soul? Do you think it is appropriate for preschoolers?