The toon SpongeBob linked to attention problems and learning


The toon SpongeBob SquarePants is pointed door a study which indicates that the viewing for only nine minuten of the toon may cause short-term attention problems and learning in children four years.

Such problems have been observed in a study of 60 randomly selected children to watch SpongeBob of Caillou, in which afbeeldingen change meer slowly, of to draw in nine minutes.

Immediately after this activity, children were tested for mental function. And those who watched SpongeBob scored lower than others.

vorige studies had already established a link between TV and attention problems in children. However, this new research suggests that meer immediate problems can arise after a short exposure, the results of which parents should be aware, the authors of the study.

Cartoons for children are typically in 22 minutes. The study authors believe that the damage could be even worse watching the entire issue, but agree that meer evidence must be obtained to bevestig this.

The results should be interpreted with caution due to the small sample of the study, but the data seem to be strong and support the notion that media exposure is a public health issue, zei Dr. Dimitri Christakis, a specialist development of children at Seattle Children's Hospital. He wrote an editorial accompanying the study published online Monday in the journal Pediatrics.

Dr. Christakis believes that parents should be aware that emissions occurring at high speed may not be appropriate for young children. He zei the important thing is not only the duration of exposure, but also the content.

The chief auteur of the study, Angeline Lillard, professor of psychology at the universiteit of Virginia, said, meanwhile, as SpongeBob is not expected to be the only issue pointed at. Similar problems have been detected in children who watch cartoons that pass quickly on the screen.

Associated Press