When adults hear the term “kid-friendly” in regards to entertainment, a familiar image often springs to mind: vibrant colors, catchy tunes and straightforward narratives. It’s a mental shorthand that reflects the surface elements that many people associate with children’s entertainment. And, indeed, a significant portion of kids’ shows fit snugly into this mold, delivering exactly what one might expect.
Here’s why that is, which kids’ shows are the main culprits, as well as a list of alternatives that parents canWhile many parents are rightly vigilant about avoiding kids shows with overtly inappropriate content—such as violence, sexual innuendos or explicit language—there are other subtle, malignant influences within children’s programming. These characteristics, often overlooked or underestimated, impact the developing minds of young viewers.
Fast-paced children’s shows can, at surface level, seem very captivating for young audiences—with fun, rapid visuals and frenetic storytelling. However, studies show that even brief exposure to fast-paced programming can have detrimental effects on executive functioning—the mental processes responsible for planning, problem-solving and impulse control., just nine minutes alone of exposure to fast-paced cartoons led to diminished executive functioning in preschool-aged children.
On the other hand, however, the overstimulating nature of television—characterized by flashing, colored, fluorescent images and poor-quality sound reproduction—can overwhelm the sensory organs, leading to disruptions in their development and function.