Experts claim Peppa Pig cartoons are making kids emotionless zombies and blame parents for using TV as a babysitting tool
BRAKE-THROUGH TECHNOLOGY
PARENTS who let their children watch Peppa Pig could be doing lasting damage, it has been warned.
Dr Karen Phillip, one of Australia's leading parenting experts, says using the popular cartoon as a babysitting tool could stunt children's development - as it means they are deprived of crucial real-world interactions.
She told the : "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."
Dr Phillip added that the harmful consequences of too much screen time can be reversed if parents interact with their kids while watching a show.
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."
But furious parents have hit back at Dr Phillip's comments - claiming their children do actually learn from the hit cartoon, which is show on Channel 5.
related stories
One mother wrote on Facebook: "Our son is developmentally delayed and he has actually learnt from these shows.
"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]."
Meanwhile, another woman added she will let her children watch Peppa Pig.
She said: "I think TV shows are a great source of alternative learning.
"What parent has the time to sit down with their kid and play games or take them to the park for hands-on learning when [they get home] from work late and, even then, there is dinner to prepare, school lunches to make.
"I'd be happy for my future kids to sit in front of Peppa Pig for two hours if it means we're practicing their colours, shapes, sounds etc."
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368
