Is Spongebob killing our kids?
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- January
- 23
It seems this issue has been around forever. In 2006, a group of parents and advocacy groups threatened to sue Kelloggs and Viacom, Nickelodeon TV’s parent company, over the peddling of unhealthy food on commercials during shows like Spongebob Squarepants. In 2007, Kelloggs agreed to get more health-aware, and the suit was dropped.
But with Spongebob still flipping greasy crabby patties, and sugar-laced cereal still being plugged on the tube, it seems a lot of parents and advocates are still up in arms. The current issue of Best Life, put out by Men’s Health Magazine, takes issue with corporate cartoons and lists how to fight back. In October, the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood took issue with the whole health thing as well. And I understand the concern, as kids’ waistlines are growing and growing. But aren’t we missing the point?
I mean, isn’t this whole thing about parenting? It seems to me the best thing I can do to make my son healthier is to buy him healthier foods to eat, and perhaps to eat healthier myself — something my girlfriend has had an incredibly positive influence on. If the kids want fruity-sugar cereal, you just say no. Am I off on this?
This entry was posted
on Friday, January 23rd, 2009 at 12:27 pm by Jorge Fitz-Gibbon.
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i think spongebob is a good show i am 11 years old and i love the show because it has not violence but stuff kids love to see have you seen ” the road runner’ that is a bad show but it is very kool kids don’t walk around and killing people because they see it on sponge bob what does he do bad?????
Thank you for writing me, Cathy.
My son is 11 also, and he and I love Spongebob and watch it together. When I wrote what I wrote, I was trying to say that I don’t think it’s Spongebob’s fault if kids are not being healthy. I think it’s great to have better food on commercials, but I also think that kids and parents need to make healthy decisions themselves and not blame the commercials and the shows all the time.
That’s what I was saying. So, I agree with you that Spongebob is a fun show.
Thanks again for writing about my post.
Advertisements and other cultural messages that are at odds with how parents want to raise their kids have been a problem for a long time. Ads for unhealthy products, or useless toys and games, are the more innocent side of the problem. As kids get older, they’ll be bombarded with messages about drinking, drugs, sex, etc. that will be at odds with the values many good parents want to communicate.
You’re right though that parents need to learn to set a clear example, and say no. Maybe the bad economy will help with that. I guarantee that fulfilling the materialistic whim of kids (and parents) for stuff that isn’t really needed is a big part of why so many people have been drowning in debt.
Welcome back, David. I have no dispute with the notion that adverstisers often target kids with unhealthy and inappropriate products, nor do I disagree that there should be less of this. My issue is when it becomes the only focus, and it displaces the responsibility parents should bear. My son wanted the Fallout3 X-Box game for Christmas, but I felt it was too violent for his age. He hammered me on it for weeks. But he didn’t get it, because I decided it wasn’t good for him. It’s a parenting decision. So, yes, parents do need to set clear examples. And, as a parent, I don’t doubt there’s a lot of debt associated with fullfilling kids’ desires!
Good for you. Parents need to learn to say no. More parents should exercise their judgment and do what you did.
Jorge, I think you’re right on target. Parents don’t only need to say no, they need to educate themselves more about foods. This is a subject I’m so passionate about. Learning to read labels and understand the ‘high fructose corn syrup’ and the MSG and the super high levels of salt in foods is so important. And of course the volume of what people eat. No one thinks of drinking a glass of concentrated orange juice (which really affects blood sugar) but who would eat six oranges? And so much of the food is coming from out of the country. I”m all for kids and parents learning how to cook together, shop, read labels, and examine the ads and who’s behind them. Kids are smart and if we teach them to ‘think’ and use ‘common sense’ at a young age, they’ll be their own advocates. It’s not easy to say no, but it’s about being a parent and not your kid’s best friend!
I disagree about Spongebob being good for children. Sunday, January 25, 2009, we came home from church and my son (9mo) always watches Spongebob. In this particular show, they were having a party. Mr. Crabs was bored and going home. They told him to stick around, they were going on a “panty raid” and proceeded to go to a house and hold up pairs of panties discussing which ones were pretty. After that, they were discussing going to the ABC store. I do not think that is something kids need to see on tv.
If You Think Spongebob is bad then dont watch it,its not the tv producers fault or anyone else it is up to the parent of the child to decide what they watch.do you let them watch HBO do you?My son is 8 and we have been watching spongebob since it came out,and he doesnt do anything that is done on t.v.because i talk to him about it.
Jason;
Thanks for reading and for responding.
I have found in my line of work that it is often helpful to actually read something before commenting on it. Based on your reply here, I would bet that you only read the headline.
You may also be mistakenly assuming that because someone writes about a subject, as we journalists often do, that we are condoning or joining in the matter. This is a common error made by folks who don’t regularly read the news, but rather watch TV and have it spoke to them.
I assure you that in this instance I am merely reporting on a lawsuit and expressing a general opinion which, contrary to your biting response to it, we seem to agree on.
And to answer your questions, yes, I let my son watch HBO with supervision and if I select the content, just as I also let him watch Spongebob and other Nick shows.
I hope that clarifies some issues and I hope you will take the time to read what was actually written above.
Otherwise, thanks again for your interest.
Like to watch Stargate Atlantis episodes and also Lost. I found your blog on google and read a few of your other posts. I just added you to my Google News Reader. Look forward to reading more from you in the future.
I WILL BRING FORTH THE UPRISING OF HELL! FEAR ME!!!!!
Also if you use your tv as a babysitter I’ll laugh when your kid falls of a cruise ship trying to find my house under the sea.
you all people make me laugh, making a big deal about spong bob, I dont see nothing wrong with Spong Bob Square pants me and my kids and me think he so funny, you cant blame Nickelodeon for unhealthy commercials, people just looking for a way to get some money out of them thats is so ridiculuos,,,
i love spongbob so much!!! its the best tv show i have ever watched and its not bad at all of kids its a great show also
panty raid.. yes that was scum episode of sponge bob.. the writers are trying to connect with the parents. not funny. remember this is a fallen world. our only hope is JESUS.