Is Spongebob Square Pants an appropriate show for kids?

ESD_0707 · January 2013

I've never really watched it, but my daughter asked to watch it tonight. I have heard that it is not appropriate, but watching it tonight, I don't see much wrong with it (other than being a little annoying). Any opinions?

1026pumpkin · January 2013

I've only seen a few episodes and don't remember seeing anything violent or bad language....there were some jokes that were aimed at adults, but I think they'd go over a kid's head.

mbgreenwalt · January 2013

It is DH's favorite show, so we watch it often. I don't really find anything inappropriate.

megann831 · January 2013

I think they occasionally say things like idiot, but it doesn't seem too bad too me. I also read an article that said fast pace, like SpongeBob actually drop kid's IQ

TiffanyBerry · January 2013

I find the characters are mean.

There was a study that actually suggested the very fast pace of the show and the mean jabs some characters take at each other's expense can discourage prosocial behavior. (Here's the first link I could find: https://article.wn.com/view/2011/09/12/FastPaced_Cartoons_Such_as_SpongeBob_May_Harm_Kids_Brains_St/)

There's a discussion of the effects in NutureShock as well.

Don't get me wrong, my kid's going to watch it some day. But I'll wait until she asks, and I'll limit it. I'm happier about Dora, but still try to limit that. (When I'm not sick... it's been a Dora marathon the past couple days around here.)

LSU628 · January 2013

I just find the characters to be rude and it's a show I'd rather DD not watch.

ThatWasAHoot · January 2013

I used to watch SpongeBob sometimes when I babysat for an older kid. I agree, there are a lot of jokes in there that kids just won't even notice. If my son wanted to watch SpongeBob I would let him, I think. There is nothing BAD in it, just things that kids might not get. It has little educational value, though.

SallyJean95 · January 2013

I read something about it not being suitable for preschoolers. Something to the effect that it's too fast paced for them to understand and there is zero educational value to it. Where preschool shows that are designed for their age go at a very slow pace and actually try to teach them something.

So if you are going to let your kid watch tv at this age why would you choose something like that?

DS asks to watch it and has seen it at my brother's house. But I just say it's for older kids and it's never on at our house. Someday he'll get to watch it when he's older.

https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/12/is-spongebob-squarepants-bad-for-children/

12bailey18 · January 2013

Probably depends on the age. With my kids I tend to stick with Nick Jr. or PBS kids. Those are mostly educational and the characters are nice. I don't really see the purpose or value in Spongebob so we don't watch it. Now if he was of school age 5+ and wanted to watch it I may have a different opinion on it.

dande2129 · January 2013

I hate the show, so DS doesn't have the option to watch it.

Other than the fast pace as mentioned by PP, I don't think it inappropriate so much as something I just don't like.

BelhurstBride · January 2013

I just see no reason to plop DD down in front of it. I consider it to be junk TV and DD is way too young to get into junk TV.

I really try to limit TV and if I'm going to let it be on it's on PBS kids, only.

PunkyBooster · January 2013

I don't think so. I think the characters are pretty rude.

I don't do Phineas and Ferb either since I watched one portion of one episode and heard name calling.

I prefer Tomas, Curious George, and Doc McStuffins if he watches something. He generally only watches a short show while I cut his nails and that's it.

andinatep · January 2013

I work with pre-schoolers and I have a 3 1/3 year old and a 22 month old. I refuse to let my kids watch SpongeBob. It has absolutely no educational value. It isn't good for their attention span either. I prefer shows like Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, The Wiggles, Curious George, Team Umizoomi, etc.

pitterpatter129 · January 2013

I teach first grade and have seen the show. I feel it's completely innapropriate for elementary school kids in general. I would lump it right in with the value of South Park. It's so rude. Pick PBS shows - Word World, Super Why, Between the Lions, Sesame Street- that actually teach reading and math skills while they zone out.

lana22 · January 2013

i watched it a few years ago and thought it was terrible, so i've always planned on banning it. my nephew likes it and my husband put it on for him once and said he was appalled at the language and overall tone of the show (basically what pps have said).

dragon_chica · January 2013

Another vote on not liking it. In general it's not evil but I find it to be pointless TV watching. I don't let the kids watch too much TV so when they do I'd rather it be rich and with purpose. We watch a lot of Dora, Diego, and Wonderpets.

acaudill75 · January 2013

Spongebob was DD1's first word. DH lets her watch everything. She loves Adventure Time with Finn and Jake, which at first had me concerned. I guess since my daughter doesn't have any issues socializing, and her teachers tell me at every conference that she is learning and drawing and doing whatever at a level 2-3 years older than her actual age, I guess I am not concerned.

shootingstars00 · January 2013

megann831:
I think they occasionally say things like idiot, but it doesn't seem too bad too me. I also read an article that said fast pace, like SpongeBob actually drop kid's IQ

I was going to mention that study. We won't be watching it in our house. There are so many other quality shows for kids out there.

SarahTx5701 · January 2013

Im with everyone else. My son is 4 1/2 and he knows "spongebob is not a nice show!". I don't get it when I see 2 and 3 years old sporting sponge bob shirts and gear, there are SOOO many educational options even on PBS which most people get even without paying for cable so come on...why would you sit your kids in front of garbage tv when you can feed your children's mind with education

izziebee · January 2013

I recall a report not too long ago that stated that it's the fast paced nature of the show that is inappropriate for young children. They need a slower paced program in order to process what they are watching. That is why a channel like Disney Jr. is much better for the 2, 3 yo crowd. I know in my house I won't turn on anything but Disney Jr., DS gets too much tv as it is these days, I don't need to make the matter worse by letting him watch Spongebob.

Desmarie13 · January 2013

I dont find it appropriate for my 3 yr old. Its an age where they copy&repeat everything! Some of the stuff on the show is not something i would like her to copy or repeat.like most things, i believe this is a personal decision and every kid is different. I by no means censor my child but i do monitor what she watches, this way if i dont like it, i change it. There are even some occassions where ive changed disney jr/ nick jr bc of something i didnt like. Butnfornthe most part those are the channels we stick to.Idr what show it was but dd immediately mimicked what she saw. Not cool.

lynsef · January 2013

We don't watch it. I find it annoying and like others said some of the characters are rude and I don't find any educational value in it. We also don't watch Barney, The Wiggles or Doodlebops because I can't stand them! We mostly watch Super Why, Sesame Street, Daniel Tiger's Neighboorhood or Mickey Mouse Club House.

bellybaby · January 2013

I like it. My daughters favorites are nickjr shows, but we too watch sponge bob. I really don't understand why parents see such a problem with it? I'm sure your kids hear worse things in daycare and school than an occassional non-curse word u find rude. Some people need to loosen the reigns a bit!

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