Is Spongebob Squarepants Really Bad for Your Kids?
By talfonso
@talfonso (246)
United States
September 12, 2011 2:56pm CST
Recently, there's a study by the University of Virginia which involved 60 4-year-olds. They were split into groups of 4: one group watched Spongebob Squarepants, another watched Caillou (or, as you parents who detest the show for the titular character's whining, Cry-You), and another drew pictures. Afterwards, they were given tests to solve cause-and-effect problems, among other things, and the ones who watched the sea sponge's antics scored the worst.
The authors suggested that the pace of the cartoon (fast-paced), decreased the kids' attention spans and made them think slower. The show is intended for those 6 and up.
I don't have kids, but if yours do and you hear about this appalling study, what would you do? Let the kids continue watching the Bikini Bottom resident? Limit viewing him? Make them watch another TV show altogether? Don't let them watch TV at all? I would love to hear your say on this issue.
1 response
@staria (2780)
• Philippines
20 Sep 11
I actually observed that Spongebob isnt really very kid-friendly. I think that there are scripts and parts there that do not really cater enough values to the children. But as an adult, I find it truly entertaining.
What I do it, I always see to it that I'm always present when my kids watch Spongebob and that we only limit them and just choose other stuff like Barney and let them focus on that more than the former.
@talfonso (246)
• United States
20 Sep 11
Good points about the immaturity of Spongebob Squarepants, but would you leave out Caillou from the TV-viewing regimen? When he gets his way, he always whines and cries and his parents nearly almost give in. At least what some people call a banal show like Barney and Friends teaches them something. I grew up in my early years watching it, and the good thing is that it's live action!
