Impact of Cartoons on Children’s Values

Abstract— The acquisition of good values by children is the basis for a healthy society. Societies that are able to enhance moral and human values among generations live in stability and security. Crime rates decline, violence is reduced, and social cooperation and solidarity replace problems that, if exacerbated, could lead to the destruction of society and its complete corruption.

In fact, the child acquires his values during the stages of education that Freud referred to, especially in the early years of childhood, and several things play roles in this acquisition process, including the parents, the school, and the peer group with which the child is raised, but in addition to these influential elements, a new, highly effective element has emerged. Has a high impact, and the child cannot resist its temptation, which is animation.

It is necessary first to define values. Although there are many deep philosophical definitions of moral values; However, we present to you a simple definition of moral values that is compatible with the parents’ desire to instill these values in children, away from the complexities of philosophy. Values are an aspect of personality involving what people consider important in life. They capture individual differences in people’s overarching motivations and can be viewed as guiding principles in people’s lives. Values of children are of special importance because children shape the world of the future and values are the goals that direct their behavior. Yet, values are not concrete goals, but abstract motivations that can motivate different behaviors.

In the modern era, studies indicate that a large number of children watch cartoons at different times, such as in the morning before school, immediately after returning home after school, and on weekend mornings and evenings. The impact of watching cartoons extends to shaping children’s values, behavior, preferences, interaction with friends, communication style, and even their choice of clothes and the way they eat. Research conducted at the University of Michigan by Sharmin suggests that children display a greater inclination towards cartoon content over conventional learning approaches. This preference is attributed to the well-crafted scenes, audio elements, visual effects, and vibrant colors present in animated content. These factors contribute significantly to children absorbing a wealth of information, surpassing what a teacher might convey in a classroom setting.

There is no doubt that animation has great valuable effects on the child, and in our Lebanese reality we suffer from a major problem, which is that in Lebanon and the Arab world we do not make our own cartoons, or children’s programs, except in a small way. Therefore, we are forced to import many of these programs and series from the world. Since values have a local imprint that takes into account society’s culture, ideas, and religious beliefs, most of what is imported contradicts the local values that we live by and seek to reinforce in children.

Almost all homes today have the Netflix platform, which offers diverse and open packages of programs. In fact, Netflix is part of the Western world and seeks to promote its values. It targets adults and children. Therefore, these cartoons do not escape Western values, which are in sharp contrast to Eastern and Arabic culture. We note, for example, that this platform focuses on supporting homosexuality in a large way and broadcasts it in children’s programs without taking into account the unsuitability of the content for the Arab child, or even for the Western child, as voices have been raised in many countries against this wave that is destroying the family and eliminating natural, fruitful marriage between individuals of society. These Western programs also greatly promote the values of sexual freedom, disobedience to parents, selfishness, and individualism, in contradiction to the culture of many societies in the world that focus on respecting the elderly, sacrifice, generosity, and helping others. In the face of this platform and others like it, some local channels stand out that confront these ideas through local children’s programs, or modifying foreign programs through dubbing, editing, cutting, and deleting to rid these programs of values that are not appropriate for us, such as the “Spacetoon” channel and others.

In addition, it is widely recognized that the primary audience for cartoon channels is children. However, in the current marketing landscape, television channels often feature advertisements targeted at adults during cartoon programming. Children, being exposed to these ads, develop desires for the promoted products such as chocolates and drinks. While parents aspire for their children to maintain a healthy diet, contemporary children’s express preferences for items marketed through emotional appeals. Marketing companies exploit the emotional vulnerabilities of children, establishing a connection that influences their choices. Some instances include food advertisements, like Bounty chocolate, incorporating images of popular cartoons like Ben Ten. The use of cartoons in advertising has sparked critical discussions among researchers, considering the diverse content aired, encompassing themes of a sexual, violent, and alcoholic nature.

On the other side, Cartoons have a positive aspect as well. They can be amusing, educational, and have the ability to introduce individuals to new realms. Cartoons with pro-social messages are among the strategies that can influence the audience, fostering a positive shift in lifestyle. It can serve as a crucial tool for socialization and education, aiding children in expanding their comprehension of the world around them. For instance, Children who engage with educational programming tend to achieve higher grades, and exhibit greater creativity compared to those who watch violent or purely "entertainment" television. The act of watching cartoons involves a form of learning process. The lessons children glean from watching cartoons have a notable impact on their interactions with peers and their overall worldview.

In light of the preoccupation of parents in this era with various matters and issues, parental control over what the child watches has become weak, especially since he no longer needs large devices such as a television to watch his favorite programs, but rather he can watch them through smart and small devices that he carries wherever he goes. To achieve these positive goals of watching cartoons, parents must make an effort to monitor what this cartoon content providers to their children and choose what is suitable to their age.

In conclusion, Children's cartoons have emerged as the most widely embraced form of entertainment, increasingly captivating the attention of young audiences and evolving into a primary source of leisure for them. The onset of children engaging with cartoons typically commences around six months of age, with a significant commitment to viewing established by the age of two or three. This burgeoning interest in cartoons has become a prevalent pastime in many households over the years. Research results revealed a noticeable effect of cartoon consumption on children's values, including positive and negative changes. Many children tend to imitate actions observed on television, similar to how they replicate the behaviors of adults in their daily lives. To transform cartoons into a wholesome form of entertainment and a beneficial, educational resource for children, parents should prioritize offering carefully chosen cartoons that can positively influence them. It is crucial for parents to manage the time their children spend watching TV and select cartoons that align with appropriate content. Additionally, it is beneficial for parents to actively engage by consistently watching and discussing cartoon characters with their children. This approach not only helps shield kids from violent content but also steers them toward diverse and constructive activities.