A doctor has told parents to be wary of putting their children in front of certain fast-paced children’s shows, as they can have a negative impact on their mood and mental development
A doctor has issued a stark warning to parents about the potential negative impact of fast-paced children’s TV shows like Cocomelon on their kids’ mood and development.
While many parents are diligent in shielding their little ones from shows with overtly inappropriate content, such as violence, sexual innuendos, or explicit language, opting instead for colourful, light-hearted programmes suitable for young viewers, they may be unaware of other subtle yet harmful influences that could hinder their children’s development.
Dr Joe, an emergency doctor from the US and TikTok influencer, took to the social media platform to share his insights on these high-paced kids’ shows, starting with a clip showing a baby’s reaction to the start of Cocomelon.
In the footage, Cocomelon starts playing on the TV when, suddenly, a baby rushes in using a walker, already looking at the TV before turning around to see the animated characters on screen, recognising the show from the brief introductory melody.
“Ah, Cocomelon, it’s like a baby’s kryptonite – but not without consequences,” the doctor begins in his video. “Shows like this are scientifically designed to catch your baby’s attention. Bright colours, catchy tunes, and fast-paced repetitive patterns that hijack your baby’s brain.”
He elaborated: “When developers create these shows, they actually sit babies in front of a monitor and capture their reactions. If a baby turns her head away at a certain point, they’ll tweak the show to keep their attention. The ultimate baby trap!”
“Now, every time your baby hears the theme song or sees the vibrant animations, it triggers their reward system, releasing dopamine. And that’s a feel-good chemical. “
Dopamine is a brain chemical (neurotransmitter) that is responsible for transmitting signals between nerve cells in the brain, as well as other functions, Psychology Today explained. It directly affects our brain’s reward and pleasure centres, which in turn affects our mood. The activation of dopamine occurs for a number of reasons, including eating or achieving a goal.
“Dopamine reinforces behaviours. So when your baby gets a little brain high from that show, they start associating it with happiness and comfort,” Dr Joe explained.
“Too much of this can overstimulate their developing brains. This can make it harder for them to focus on real-world activities. The brains get rewired to crave that fast paced, high reward input.
In 2011, researchers found that watching nine minutes of fast-paced programming diminished executive functioning in preschool-aged children. The rapid succession of stimuli overwhelms the brain’s capacity to process information effectively, resulting in decreased attention spans and difficulties with self-regulation.
However, some experts believe that parents shouldn’t be overly concerned about their children watching screens now and then. The real issue arises when screen time is prolonged without any breaks for play.
Dr Joe advised, “So let them enjoy the catchy tunes, but balance it out with hands-on playtime, books, or even baby-led chaos around the house. That way, they’re not just entertained, but growing, learning, and building those essential skills.”