Children watch on television a lot of kind of cartoons like Tom and Jerry, SpongeBob, Mickey Mouse and others. Many parents agreed today that every child is interested in cartoons. It is very good if a child watches only educational cartoons, but there are a lot of cartoons which have bad influences on children. However, nowadays children become addicted to watching cartoons and, as a result, there are a lot of debates about whether children are affected by cartoons more positively or negatively. Some people, especially elder people, state that cartoons in the Soviet Union were kinder, more colourful and harmless. Unfortunately, these people claim that today’s cartoons have more violent acts that cartoons during their childhood. In contrast, younger generation mentioned that cartoons are not bad for children. Also, a research review on watching cartoons and language in the early years, conducted by Robin Close on behalf of the National Literacy Trust, found that for children aged two to five, good-quality educational television can have a positive impact on attention and comprehension, receptive vocabulary, some expressive language, letter-sound knowledge, and knowledge of narrative and storytelling (Close, 2004). So, although, cartoons can be educational and entertaining, many people believe that modern cartoons are very violent, create false sense of reality and negatively affect the development of children’s social skills.
Firstly, while watching cartoons, children’s brain processes a lot of violent acts. There are a lot of children who suffer from mental and psychological diseases because of cartoons. Most people think that cartoons are colourful and harmless movies for children. However, it is not true. Children from the age of two or earlier begin to watch cartoons. Unfortunately, they see some materials, which are not acceptable for their age. Also, most cartoons contain violence, which can affect child 's mind. One
References: Gunter, B. (2000). The impact of television on children`s antisocial behavior in a novice television community. Child Study Journal; 30 (2). Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?sid=e314cccf-8419-46fd-b27e-175f4e7b01a9%40sessionmgr104&vid=1&hid=104&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=hch&AN=4055672 Choma C.J, Hossler S., Leu R., Nelson D., Ray S., Wilcox B., Ybarra B. (2004). Effects of cartoons on children. Retrieved from http://www.bgsu.edu/departments/tcom/faculty/ha/tcom103fall2004/gp9/ Josephson, W. (1995). Television violence: A review of the effect on children of different age. Retrieved from http://www.mediaawareness.ca/english/resources/research_documents/reports/violence/upload/television_violence.pdf Osofsky, J. D. (n.d.). The impact of violence on children. Retrieved from http://www.icyrnet.net/UserFiles/vol9no3Art3.pdf Thompson, A. (n.d.). Pros & Cons of cartoons on kids. Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/list_6874711_pros-cons-cartoons-kids.html