Why Kids’ Shows Like ‘Cocomelon’ Hamper Critical Brain Development

In May of 2024 a psychologist by the name of Mark Travers wrote an article for Forbes titled “Why Kids’ Shows Like ‘Cocomelon’ Hamper Critical Brain Development”. Please click here for the full article. We highly encourage you to check it out, it’s about a 5-minute read. In the article Travers talks about the surface-level impact on our children that they experience when they are watching these shows and then the deeper impact that some shows can have on children, including affecting their brain’s development and size. Now, this isn’t to say that letting your children watch TV is bad and that all kids shows are bad. In moderation, children’s programs can be fun and entertaining. Travers notes that “While 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.” He goes on to note that the pace of programs as well as the sensory impact of over and under stimulation occurring at the same time should be under strong scrutiny when choosing which shows our children watch. Travers does give a couple examples of shows that he would deem safe and examples of shows that he recommends avoiding including Cocomelon – and why. Please give this article a read, it offers some very valuable tools for your parent toolbox!