'All my reasons as a toddler mum for boycotting Netflix's Peppa Pig for Bluey'
If you're a mum like me, you've likely found yourself tumbling down the rabbit hole in search of safe telly for your toddlers.
Experts aren't exactly singing from the same hymn sheet, and while there's no concrete research as yet, some child gurus are hinting that series like Netflix's Cocomelon might be designed to hook our children in an unhealthy way.
The theory goes that Cocomelon makers have craftily deployed vivid, attractive colours and snappy scene changes to keep the little ones transfixed. Parents have voiced their concern over their children becoming "brain zapped" during their viewing sessions.
A cluster of children experts are raising red flags about these sorts of programmes potentially stunting kids' development, with a handful even calling for a complete TV ban for smaller kids.
Some professionals propose that youngsters shouldn't be allowed to watch TV unless an adult is there getting stuck in too, turning it into an educational activity instead, reports Surrey Live.
Yet, I've got to wonder aloud to parents rearing toddlers: Is this actually doable? Are we really expected to sit and mimic every move and lyric with our offspring every single time the telly blares? In the real world, I reckon that's a tall order for most parents.
From my experience and that of other mums I know, we're often knee-deep in juggling work, bedtime rituals, nursery and school drop-offs, plus extra activities like baking, colouring, painting, dance and swim classes. We resort to TV as a quick fix to sneak off for a swift shower or to whip up dinner, knowing our toddlers are safe and amused.
However, some experts now suggest this could potentially hinder their future development. So, what's the solution when we need a brief respite from the constant cycle of entertaining and educating our little ones? The only sensible proposal that springs to mind is to make more informed decisions about the programmes they watch.
Currently, one of my toddler's top picks is Peppa Pig. She's especially fond of the intro and theme tune, where each pig character snorts after introducing themselves.
Despite her love for the show, I must admit, I've noticed a change in her behaviour since we started watching it. Intrigued, I turned to the internet to see if others had similar experiences.
On Reddit, I stumbled upon several parent-led discussions advocating Bluey over Peppa Pig. Having watched both shows with my toddler, I wholeheartedly agree with their observations.
While both animations share a 2D style and bear similarities, their content is markedly different. This, I believe, is where Peppa Pig's creators have fallen short.
One viewer pointed out that the plotlines often depict "unhealthy" dynamics, even highlighting an "antagonising relationship" between Peppa Pig and her father, who is depicted as a somewhat "bumbling idiot" and frequently ridiculed by his own family.
Some argued that Peppa doesn't face "adequate repercussions for her misbehaviour", criticising the show for its "little to no emotional depth, with morality lessons being particularly lacking in subtlety or insight".
Another gripe I personally noted was the exaggerated reaction when a character says or does something daft. The response is invariably everyone collapsing in laughter, which isn't a typical human reaction for our youngsters to observe.
I've also noticed parents on various platforms voicing concerns about Peppa's conduct in certain episodes, worried that their children might imitate her "bad manners."
Conversely, Bluey appears to makeup for all the elements that Peppa Pig falls short on. The Disney+ series showcases a greater degree of thoughtfulness and realistic family dialogues and relationships.
Discussions are handled sensitively, with both mum and dad engaging in parenting conversations with their two offspring.
The programme aims to foster healthy family interactions, emotional intelligence, personal development, adaptive learning behaviours, and credible relationships.
For all these reasons, I've decided to turn off Peppa Pig and am now steering my two year old towards watching Bluey instead.
Peppa Pig is viewable on channel 5 and can be streamed via Netflix, BBC iPlayer and more, while Bluey is free to watch on BBC iPlayer and can be streamed for a fee on Disney + and Amazon Prime
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