Growing up you probably watched Brain POP videos in class to help you learn about different subjects in a fun way. These videos used to be considered short and engaging for young audiences, but compared to the overstimulating, short-form content today, Brain POP videos might as well be slow documentaries.

If you have not already heard of Cocomelon, it is a show that features 3D animated children singing along to popular nursery rhymes and children’s songs. These videos are often overstimulating, featuring bright saturated colors, fast-paced animation, and rapid jump cuts. When these videos first gained popularity, many parents believed that it would be okay for their young children to watch, as the entertainment company marketed themselves as educational.

Early on, many noticed how their kids would be deeply absorbed by these videos, their eyes glued to the bright colors and animation. For some parents, they might have thought that this was a good thing. The more their children were entertained, the more time they got to have to themselves. However, some saw that they were forming unhealthy attachments to the show and developing short attention spans.

A study related to children’s media found that when pre-school children were exposed to such fast-paced cartoons, they performed significantly worse on executive function tasks than groups who either watched educational videos or engaged in drawing. The surprising part was how these video clips were only 9 minutes long yet already negatively impacted children. While the study did not examine the long-term effects of such media consumption, the correlation between a mere 9-minute cartoon and a significant decline in executive function raises concerns. In today’s world, where children have constant access to iPads and often watch dozens of Cocomelon videos or other overstimulating content each day, these findings highlight the potential dangers of our current media.

Rather than allowing their children to consume shows that may "rot" their brains, many parents have turned to calmer, more intentional programming like Bluey. This Australian animated series focuses on storytelling that illustrates important life lessons, emotional intelligence, and problem-solving skills. While it still features vibrant colors and playful animation, the visual style is much calmer compared to the fast-paced, overstimulating content of shows like Cocomelon. The show’s pacing is steady, encouraging children to think more deeply and reflect on the stories and lessons.