Some parents in Abuja on Sunday raised concern over the negative influence and effects of cartoon videos on their children.

The parents, in separate interviews, said watching cartoon programmes significantly affected children’s behaviour.

They said the impacts were negative and positive, adding that most children copy the behaviours they see on the programmes.

Amaka Ezukwuoke, a housewife in Kubwa, said her kids had neglected their studies and house chores due to cartoons, and they often hallucinate.

”This makes it harmful, and I do not see some of these cartoons to be educational,” she said.b” I am trying to cut down the time they spend on cartoons.’’

Justina Oluwa, a resident of Apo, said cartoons now promote sexual content like lesbianism and homosexuality, which could be detrimental to the kids.

“I was shocked when I watched one of these cartoons with my kids and saw two girls in a relationship, and my kids were so focused on the cartoon.

”I immediately turned off the channel and told them never to watch that cartoon again,” she said.

Veronica Abel, a resident of Bwari, said she tries as much as possible to monitor the cartoon her kids watch to ensure it’s educational.

“My kids love watching this particular cartoon, and it is very educational and entertaining.

”I have also come to like it because of how educational it is. I advise parents not to see cartoons as just cartoons because there are lots of negative things kids pick up from watching these cartoons.”

Ochiaka Uche, a teacher, said cartoons have positive and negative influences on children.

Mr Uche said a cartoon could be used to teach a child how to speak decently, control their temperament, listen to their parents and work in a group without hating or being jealous of their friends.

He said cartoon content could teach a kid some positive skills like how to be a leader, think about acting, analyse problems, manage risk and even make a kid love sports.

”At the same time, a cartoon can be much more dangerous than any other experience a child may have seen before,” he said. 

(NAN)