Watching endless amounts of Peppa Pig could be causing long-term damage to your kid’s brain, experts have warned.
Dr Karen Phillip, a parenting expert, has recently warned parents of the dangers surrounding leaving your child to sit and watch endless amounts of non-educational telly programmes – programmes like Peppa Pig.
She told Courier Mail: “Kids are losing the capability of developing skills in empathy and reading other people's body language because they're so not in tune with it anymore.
“Even four and five-year-olds are losing the ability to come up with new games, new concepts and new ideas because they’re so used to being entertained by an external source.”
However, Karen also noted that the harmful effects could be reserved if parents interact with their children whilst watching educational shows and not leave them alone.
She also criticised parents who use watching TV as a babysitting technique to get things done.
She said: "If parents interact with them during a show or if they want to watch, say Peppa Pig, and they’re doing the singing and dancing and interacting, that’s completely different."
Furious parents have hit back at Dr Phillip's comments - claiming their children do actually learn from the hit cartoon, that airs on Channel 5 and has been translated into over 20 lauguages worldwide.
Peppa Pig, one of the highest-rated children’s TV shows ever, has previously raised concerns about encouraging bad behaviour – with mums and dads divided over whether Peppa is a good or bad role model for children.
That said, some furious parents have hit back at Karen’s claims – stating that Peppa Pig IS educational.
One mum wrote: "Our son is developmentally delayed and he has actually learnt from these shows [sic].
"He now knows some things that we have never even mentioned to him, such as actions for Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.
"We have seen a massive improvement since he has been paying attention to the [show]."
Many parents were quick to add that kids should watch TV shows ‘in moderation’ and there are plenty of other children’s shows – including Horrid Henry – that also promote naughty behaviour.
However, one mum added that Peppa Pig has been a bad influence:
“I found it very unhelpful when my son started watching it. Both children are rude towards their parents and to each other.
"My son started picking up their bad habits. One of the characters, George, doesn't eat fruit and veg, only eats chocolate cake! My son who has been raised on fruit and veg started to dismiss his meals and asking for cake!
“It is now banned in our household! Peppa pig is on a long holiday [sic].”
Another said: “Of course, it all comes down to parenting but I do hate Peppa, she's always horrible to her brother.
"If it comes on I say to my son "oh that's unkind" or whatever suits so he knows that's not how we behave nicely. I can't stand her!!”
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