How to Explain Violence in Cartoons to Kids
Keep in mind that young children cannot consistently understand the difference between reality and make-believe., Don't over-discuss violence with very young children., Offer an alternative; don't make censoring the program a punishment.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Keep in mind that young children cannot consistently understand the difference between reality and make-believe.
Up until about age seven or so, children understand the world in a very concrete, literal way.
Young children aren't stupid; they just understand the world differently than adolescents or adults.
Remember, children commonly hold beliefs such as:
Cartoon characters somehow "live" inside a TV or DVD or computer.
Animals such as dogs and cats can talk, even though a child has a pet at home that has never, ever talked.
If you have a cape, you can fly.
All you need is to find or make a suitable cape.
Children will act out on violent acts.
They will also act out what they see even if the actions are punished on-screen.
Numerous scientific studies show that a child will do this.
They see something on-screen, for better or worse, they will act on the behavior they see.
Young children also do not fully understand cause and effect.
For instance, they might not understand punching a person causes real, physical pain in the other person. -
Step 2: Don't over-discuss violence with very young children.
You don't have to go into elaborate reasons why watching characters karate-kick each other is bad for him or her.
Change the channel or turn off the TV or other media.
Simply state matter-of-fact: "I don't like what those (people/robots/creatures/etc.) are doing to each other." "This show is not appropriate for you." "I don't want you to think hitting/kicking/teasing/etc. is OK, because it's not."
Do NOT, however, give in to whining, begging, pestering, or the like to put the show back on. -
Step 3: Offer an alternative; don't make censoring the program a punishment.
Detailed Guide
Up until about age seven or so, children understand the world in a very concrete, literal way.
Young children aren't stupid; they just understand the world differently than adolescents or adults.
Remember, children commonly hold beliefs such as:
Cartoon characters somehow "live" inside a TV or DVD or computer.
Animals such as dogs and cats can talk, even though a child has a pet at home that has never, ever talked.
If you have a cape, you can fly.
All you need is to find or make a suitable cape.
Children will act out on violent acts.
They will also act out what they see even if the actions are punished on-screen.
Numerous scientific studies show that a child will do this.
They see something on-screen, for better or worse, they will act on the behavior they see.
Young children also do not fully understand cause and effect.
For instance, they might not understand punching a person causes real, physical pain in the other person.
You don't have to go into elaborate reasons why watching characters karate-kick each other is bad for him or her.
Change the channel or turn off the TV or other media.
Simply state matter-of-fact: "I don't like what those (people/robots/creatures/etc.) are doing to each other." "This show is not appropriate for you." "I don't want you to think hitting/kicking/teasing/etc. is OK, because it's not."
Do NOT, however, give in to whining, begging, pestering, or the like to put the show back on.
About the Author
Katherine Webb
Committed to making home improvement accessible and understandable for everyone.
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