SpongeBob Squarepants leads to learning deficits

The children's series "SpongeBob Squarepants" leads according to a study to learning problems

12/09/2011

According to a US study, the very popular cartoon "SpongeBob SquarePants" can lead to timely but short-term attention deficit disorders and learning problems. After only nine minutes of television consumption, the first signs of impairment in small children became apparent.

The television series "Sponge Bob Squarepants" can lead to learning deficits and attention problems in children. This was the result of a scientific study by the University of Seattle. The study results were published and presented on Monday in the scientific journal "Pediatrics".

Shrill tones, fast-moving film sequences with bright colors and a child-friendly story. This is the mix of the children's series "Sponge Bob Squarepants", which many children succumb to. However, the consumption can lead to symptoms that arise only a few minutes after watching, as a study with 60 pediatric subjects revealed.

In the course of the investigation, the children had to watch either the named series or a comparatively calmer cartoon trick called „Caillou“ look at. After that, the young participants had to go through a few psychological function tests. As a result, the "SpongeBob" subjects averaged significantly lower scores than the peer group, the research team reported. Already in advance, the scientists had suspected that they could reach such a data situation. However, the test results should be commented behaviorally, because the number of participants for concrete statements is still too low. This should be followed by further research, according to the science team.

It matters what children see
In a foreword, psychology professor of early childhood development at the University of Seattle Dimitri Christakis wrote that parents need to be aware that watching television with quick cuts is completely inappropriate for young children. „It matters what children see and not just how much they see“. In the USA, Denmark and also occasionally in this country special children DVDs are offered, which should promote the development of the child. The films, which are very aggressively advertised in the US, are catching on in many households. It could be that easy too: „Just turn on the TV, put in a DVD and the children are already educated and thus promote their skills“. But also these ominous films „affect the cognitive development of the child“, as the child psychologist warns urgently. A total of 80 international studies on this topic have already been evaluated by the experts. Everyone came to similar conclusions.

High TV consumption among children
In the USA but also in Germany the television consumption of the little ones is very high. In the United States, nine out of every ten toddlers regularly watch TV. Due to the massive advertising of the producers of „special children promotion DVDs“ many parents think they are promoting the brain development of the little ones by watching the television pictures. But just the opposite is the case, as emphasized by Dimitri Christakis of the Child Research Center. "No study has yet shown that watching TV offers any benefit to small children." The series would be more likely to affect language abilities and reduce the brain's performance. This permanently damages the ability to concentrate. The expert suspects that a permanent overstimulation of sensations takes place while watching. This would be generated by fast and flickering images. Due to the rapid changes in perspective and changing Fimschnitte the not yet fully developed children's brain is overwhelmed. „Many parents are overwhelmed, especially in small children and turn on the TV“, reports the social worker Gritli Bertram. However, television does not replace playing or emotional benefits, admonishes the prospective psychotherapist. „The interaction with the parents, the singing together of children's songs and the common game are suitable funding opportunities and not the handle to the remote condition“ admonishes the expert. The US experts say even, the parents pursue the purchase of such special DVD´s very own interests in putting their children in front of the TV. Some seem to want to immobilize the child to do other things, such as housework or telephoning.

The children's TV station „Nickelodeon“ criticized the study results. So said David Bittler, the series is not aimed at toddlers but six to eleven year olds. In addition, the researchers have „questionable methods“ used to determine the study data. "SpongeBob Squarepants" has already won the popular television award „Emmy“ awarded as the best animation.

Not only „Spongebob“ dangerous for toddlers
But not only that „Sponge Bob Series“ is chiefly responsible, says psychology professor Angeline Lillard. The study director pointed out that the researchers had similar observations in other fast-paced animated films. The parents should know, however, that such series affect the self-control of children after consumption. Therefore, the psychologist would not advise the parents, the children this „Watching programs on the way to school or at a time when they should focus and learn. "Children find it harder to focus and to learn content. (Sb)

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Image: Karokirsche