IMPACT OF CARTOON NETWORK ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF CHILDREN
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IMPACT OF CARTOON NETWORK ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF CHILDREN
Chapter one
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study.
Cartoons have existed in cinema since the late 1800s, when the first motion films were created. A cartoon is a film made using animation rather than live actors, particularly a comedic film targeted for children (Thompson, 2010).
Cartoons may also be defined as the process of creating films by filming a series of subtly altering drawings or models so that they appear to move and change when the sequence is played.
These are the elements that keep viewers (mostly children) riveted to their seats. Cartoons were originally so brief because people would watch them in theatres before seeing the main feature film.
When cartoonists were able to put their shows on television, they grew in length, resulting in the half-hour block shows that can now be seen on Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, and the Disney Channel. In addition, cartoons needed to become more “family friendly” in order to attract more viewers (Kapelian, 2009).
For more than 80 years, television shows and animated films have entertained children. Felix the Cat, the first cartoon icon, debuted in the 1920s. Disney Brothers’ Cartoon Studios introduced Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse, and Pluto as cartoon characters throughout the next ten years (Box Office Mojo, 2004).
Today, children’s physical activities are limited due to excessive television watching. Cartoon watching is the most popular interest among youngsters in their spare time, thus they prefer to watch cartoons on television rather than engage in any physical exercise.
Cartoon watching influences children’s attitudes and behaviours, such as their likings and dislikes, as well as how they talk and behave with other children. It also has a significant impact on their language, manner of clothing, and eating habits.
Cartoon Network is the most popular cartoon channel in the world. The Cartoon Network began broadcasting in 1992 and has since grown in popularity to unprecedented levels.
Since August 2002, it has been watched in over 80 million homes in the United States and 145 other countries across the world. It is one of the leading ad-supported channels on the cable television network.
Cartoon Network is a 24-hour station that only broadcasts cartoons; yet, 68 percent of its audience is made up of children aged 2 to 17 years old, with 32 percent made up of people over the age of 18 and adults.
The Cartoon Network’s core audience consists of children aged six to eleven. Violence is an inherent feature of cartoon programmes. Cartoon content contains more violence than serial plays and comedies (Potter and Warren, 1998).
As a result, cartoons expose youngsters to more violence than any other prime-time television programme (Gerbner, Gross, Morgan, & Signorelli, 1994).
Cinderella’s recurring presence in several animated cartoons has led to the idea that she is an incredibly passive figure devoid of role model behaviour; a tragic victim who takes no action to achieve her own aspirations.
Children must realise that a female character, such as Kim Possible from the animated cartoon series of the same name, is a seeker and saviour, and that actively shaping her own fate is not always “un-feminine”. Research has shown that television has a socialising effect on youngsters, notably their attitudes about gender roles.
Cartoons convey strong and appealing signals about socially acceptable gender roles and stereotypes, which are then reinforced by parents, friends, and school, adding to the child’s understanding of what it means to be male or female in that society. Many modern children’s cartoons pose an elevated risk to their safety (Kindera 2006).
Cartoon characters can jump, dive, and fall from vast heights and land safely. For example, in every episode of Looney Toons, Wylie Coyote is constantly attempting to catch the Road Runner.
In every clip, Wylie Coyote appears to fall off a cliff or have one of his inventions go bad, resulting in a tremendous explosion. Nonetheless, he manages to brush his teeth, dust himself off, and stand up for another effort to catch the Road Runner. This seems amusing until a child believes it is acceptable to replicate these actions.
1.2 The Statement of the Study
The Internet and television (TV) are ubiquitous in today’s culture. While televisions were only available in a small number of homes at the start of the 1980s, we can now say that computers and internet access are available in almost every home.
As a result of these technological advancements, messages broadcast from television screens enter homes and impact youngsters, particularly those whose defence mechanisms have not yet developed (Köşker, 2005).
Arnas (2005) found that there was one TV in each Nigerian family’s home, with almost half of them having two or more. Today’s children are overly exposed to the effects of television in their daily life.
Children spend far more time watching television than engaging in any other activity; Larson (2001) discovered that young people in America, Europe, and Eastern Asia watched television for 1.5 to 2.5 hours per day.
Television has had a far greater impact on youngsters than on adults. This is especially true because the reasons for viewing TV differ between children and adults.
While most adults watch television for entertainment, children watch it to learn and recognise. Furthermore, more vulnerable children attempt to comprehend the television shows they watch and are more influenced by them (Yavuzer 2011).
Television has the most powerful influence on children’s lives, second only to parents. Cartoons are the first and most common type of broadcast that children watch on television.
Cartoons have been shown to children on numerous channels without regard for their useful or harmful aspects. Children’s ability to control their motivations is very limited, so they can emulate the aggressive behaviours of cartoon characters.
Because children desire and seek power, the producer capitalises on this need by creating sympathetic, strong, and aggressive media heroes capable of overcoming any obstacle with magical and infinite powers, as well as solving their problems brute force.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The overall goal of this study is to look into the effects of animated cartoons on children in Enugu aged seven to eleven.
Specific objectives are to:
Identify the animated programmes that are available on Nigerian television for children.
Evaluate the viewing habits of these animated cartoons in terms of time, duration, location, preference, and days.
Understand children’s perceptions and opinions on how they assess popular animated programmes as “good” or “bad” based on what they see, and why.
1.4 Research questions.
What animated cartoons are accessible on television for youngsters in Nigeria?
What are the viewing trends of these animated cartoons in connection to time, duration, place, preference and days.
What is the perception and views held by children in relation to how they assess their popular animated shows as “good” or “bad” from what they watch and why.
1.5 Significance of the Study
The study has both theoretical and practical value. Theoretically, it will contribute to understanding of existing literature on animated cartoons.
Practically, the findings of the study will be useful to education personnel that generate excellence in education for early childhood centre and primary school teachers that are involved in the business of babysitting.
It will also be of main importance to families with children of school age and guardian of infants on the impacts of exposing them to TV cartoon shows.
1.6 Scope and Limitations of the investigation.
The focus of the study involves the impact of animated cartoons on children in Enugu between the ages of seven and eleven years.
1.7 Limitations of the study.
Financial resources required in acquiring data were on the high side, considering the amount required in photocopying and travelling to numerous areas. Furthermore, given the combination of my academics and the project, there was insufficient time for a more in-depth examination.
1.8 Operational definition of words.
A cartoon character is a fictional character featured in an animated film or comic strip.
Animated films are those that capture individual drawings, paintings, or illustrations frame by frame (stop-frame cinematography). When frames are projected in quick succession at 24 frames per second, they typically deviate somewhat from the one before them, creating the appearance of movement.
A cartoonist (sometimes known as a comic strip maker) is a visual artist who primarily draws cartoons. This work is frequently produced for entertainment, political commentary, or advertisement.
Broadcasting is the simultaneous transmission of a single message to several recipients. Broadcasting is the process by which all network devices receive a delivered data packet.
A vulnerable child is someone under the age of 18 who is now at risk of not receiving proper care and protection.
Movie Theatre: This is a venue where people go to view films for fun.
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