Do you let your kids watch Spongebob?

Cassidy - posted on 04/23/2013

I always let my kids watch Spongebob. It's a fantastic show. It teaches life lessons, and anyone can find something to laugh about while watching it.

My children are 18, 15, and 11. We've been watching Spongebob since it first aired. It has had no adverse effects on them. My eldest daughter now has a full ride to a good college; my youngest daughter is in all honors classes; my son is in a program for intellectually gifted students.

Spongebob helps us bond as a family. When we get into arguments, quoting lines from Spongebob can help to ease tensions.

As far as cartoons go, Spongebob is far less stupid and annoying than many TV shows today.

It does not make you a good parent to pride yourself on banning Spongebob. It just makes you look overprotective and naive. Interacting with and nurturing your children, yet allowing them some space to grow on their own, makes you a good parent.

Michelle - posted on 03/24/2013

I care far more about your appalling grammar, punctuation and sentence structure. I'm not even sure what you just said. Maybe I shouldn't let my kids watch Spongebob after-all ;)

Emily - posted on 03/24/2013

Who in there right mind cares I'm in the fith grade and I've picked up really bad words at school like the f word so who cares about the words moron and idiot our parents punish us for saying them so we don't say them so my parents don't care you crazy butts who would care

Gina - posted on 01/15/2013

25



I personaly hate the sponge named bob! I don't think it makes kids "stupid" exactly, but it has shown that younger children who watch have a higher risk of what I call " the brain fry effect" (my words, not any experts').
There have been studies showing that the show just moves too fast for younger children to follow, and after watching, they have a scatter brained kinda attitude. There is a reason that we have soo many different cartoon channels now-a-days,because not everything is age and developmentaly appropriate.

Michelle - posted on 12/21/2012

My kids watch Spongebob and its a program both adults and kids can watch together and just laugh together. How bad can it be if it brings a little laughter into our lives. I can't deny that it's not intelligent programming, or claim that there are no real role models for my kids to exemplify but they shouldn't find those on tv anyway. My kids have not picked up any bad habits or behaviors from watching it. If I saw it influencing then in a negative way I'd absolutely ban it. My kids also read and play tons, they watch very little tv and I can't actually remember the last time they watched Spongebob

Cara - posted on 12/15/2012

Spongebob was also origionally created for adults and when it failed they tweaked it for a kids show.

Cara - posted on 12/15/2012

I don't let my kids watch it. My opinion is that there are better things that they could be watching and if they don't like those "better" more educational things then they can be doing something instead. My 3 year old won't even watch it if it's on. His response "Spongebob is bad for my brain" lol. Love him!

Julia - posted on 11/28/2012

This is an old post, but since this time there has been som ligitamate research linking SpongeBob to ADHD becasue of the quick pace of the scenes etc. SpongeBobs producers have said it is geared for children 6plus and I would stick to that guideline.

Jessica - posted on 11/24/2012

I have 5 kids ranging in age from 16-6. We all watch Sponge Bob. I have this debate a lot with some of my friends who think that Sponge Bob is dumb, uneducational, violent, etc. That's not what I get from it at all. I'm not saying some of those things don't happen but it's our job to teach our kids right from wrong, not a tv show. I think Sponge Bob is a great role model...call me crazy but where else do you find a character who is always concerned about doing things right, EAGER to go to work and do the very BEST job he can do? Mr. Crab displays to kids how to be thrifty and not constantly spending money on things they don't need. SB is loyal to his friends, and knows how to be kind. Patrick shows that not all people are very smart and that Sponge Bob likes and accepts him anyway. A lot of kids nowadays could learn from that and be nicer to people who have Patrick-esq qualities. As far as him losing his pants? Heck you can walk outside and see most teenagers with their cracks showing at any given point in the day. I think shows like this are perfect examples of how we can relate to our kids about things they are going to see and hear in the real world and explain to them what is appropriate and what isn't. I'm not saying that every episode is imparting wisdom to our children. But if you shelter your kids to much growing up, they never learn the tools on how to deal with real life situations that may or may not come up. I think forwarned to foramed. Squidword is a jerk. Are there not jerks who act just like that in real life? Yet, SB is constantly trying to be his friend. He's also extremely persistant. If your ex doesn't see that, then you can just explain to your son that everyone is different...including you and his father and therefore see things differently and it's ok to have a difference of opinion. As long as your son understands you guys don't have to parent the same, just that he needs to respect the rules at whomever's house he is at and it should be fine. There is good and bad in everything - if you focus on the bad, that's all you'll see. Also, I'm not looking at SB with Rose colored glasses either. Good luck!

Vickie - posted on 11/24/2012

Marissa, I completely disagree. If his Dad says he can't watch it then she should back him up, just like she would want his Dad to do if she had a rule she wanted him to enforce.



As far as Spongebob, yes, I let my kids watch it, but I do have shows that I have never allowed them to watch because I think they're "stupid" and my husband backs me up, I have no idea if he agrees with me or not, but since I said no he doesn't allow them to watch. The big one in our house is "Ed, Edd and Eddy", I hate that show and have never allowed them to see it since I watched it with a nephew.

Casey - posted on 01/03/2012

I used to think the same as your sons dad. I watched it as a young teen and then thought it was stupid when my kids wanted to watch it. Then I met my now boyfriend who let his kids watch it. Its not that bad and your right. I just had to sit down and watch it with them to relize that it does teach them things. Even if it is filled with nonsence in between the good stuff. I can watch then Cartoon with then. The weeks before Christmas they were singing the Christmas song from Spongbob all the time. It could of been worse. I Dont mind anymore. There are worse cartoons out there

Jessica - posted on 12/20/2011

We do not let our 6 year old daughter watch sponge bob or other cartoons/shows that are not appropriate for her age. After reading some reports about shows like that (fast paced, brightly colored, action packed) can cause learning problems for children related to their ability to concentrate, we decided to turn it and the other shows like it off. Our daughter was a little upset at first but to tell you the truth I think I has made a positive difference in her behavior. Limiting TV time is a must for children, they can be overwhelmed so easily by all the concepts, advertisements, sounds, and bombarding ideas/situations that are presented while they watch. As far as buying products that have TV characters on them I think they are mostly tacky but I don't forbid my daughter to wear them I just try to help her find other styles to wear and she occasionally gets a character themed item of clothing. Toys are another story she wants any kind of toy that exists! LOL We don't ban any type of toy just because of the character on it either... as long as it is appropriate for her age.

Joy - posted on 12/14/2011

I stopped my children from watching spongebob from a recent study showing that after watching the show the child didn't respond well to learning. I was always kind of iffy about my kids watching it because they were imitating the pulling down of the pants and showing their behinds. So now they know they are not allowed to watch spongebob among alot of other shows that are on the "do not watch" list.

Lacieann - posted on 11/09/2011

Nope. Not a chance, My son is three and my daughters are almost 5 and 13 months.





It's been proven that children DO NOT learn from T.V.

It's also been heavily suggested that children can't follow fast paced programming (like Spongebob) and that it leads to problems focusing and problem solving.



The shows creators even say that they recommend the show only for older children (like 10 year olds).



I want my children to use their own minds and be able to entertain themselves. My kids get maybe an hour of T.V. a week. And my youngest (13months) doesn't watch any T.V. it doesn't entertain her. She'd rather play with toys. (Yay!)



I'm proud of this, but if a parent wants to let kids zone out infront of the T.V. then that's their choice. I personally think the risk of devolping ADD or other problems associated with excessive T.V. is not worth it.



I'd much rather have a tea party with them than let the T.V. babysit.

Elise - posted on 11/08/2011

Lol it's just a stupid cartoon, he needs to chill the **** out lol, can't wear spongebob, what a dropkick. Reading way too much into it, spongebob will not make your kid the person they will be, if he's so concerned maybe tell him not to let the TV be where he gets his education but where he gets his entertainment. Heh spongebob cracks me up lol geeze sometimes kids are allowed to have fun believe it or not. Can't wear spongebob rotflol

Trista - posted on 11/07/2011

My kids love spongebob kids will be kids and personally i don't feel like it hurts anything

Hope - posted on 11/03/2011

Oh wow, I think I understand the problem now. The UNDERLYING problem of this all is the fact that parents expect programs on TV to be educational. NO. No. no. News Flash: your kids don't learn anything from watching TV, they learn in school and from reading books!!! They learn from INTERACTION- Doing things- Not being a couch potato.

Hope - posted on 11/03/2011

I think it's funny, I don't get why people hate spongebob......maybe because of that whole controversy that he might be gay? But how can a sponge be gay?? I just don't get it....you think it's stupid? I think bugs bunny is stupid! We all have our opinions on the cartoons our kids watch- did your parents not let you watch certain cartoons because they thought they were "stupid?"
I really want to know?! Because my parents never restricted the kind of cartoons I watched, except for the obvious ones- beavus and butthead, etc...

Hayley - posted on 11/03/2011

lol i must say to all you woman that worry about thinks like a cartoon are so wrong what about when your children start school they will pick up alot worse words so just relax geesh and let them be kids

Tiffany - posted on 11/01/2011

my children will NEVER be allowed to watch sponge bob... i dont need them picking up: stupid, idiot, moron and other things that they say. we dont talk like that around here, so no... no sponge bob welcome here

Sharlene - posted on 10/27/2011

Hi . I dont see anything wrong with achild watching sponge bob , I even watch it, I reckon dad needs to lighten up a bit, SPONGE BOB SQUARE PANTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL

Starfish - posted on 10/17/2011

I wouldn't say it's "banned", but I've made it clear that I want nothing to do with it. I absolutely loathe that show with unbridled passion. So I don't want to see the merchandise on my kids, I don't want it played in my home, and I don't want to hear anything about it.

Now, they've gone over to friends' houses and watched it, and I'm not gonna make a stink over it. But they know how I feel and that I want nothing to do with it.

Bri - posted on 10/15/2011

i agree with Tabitha , its a TV show, and there is going to be commericials of toys etc, kids are kids and need to let them point out different things they would like for birthdays, good behaviour, and Christmas coming up! :)

Kriss - posted on 10/03/2011

I don't approve of Sponge Bob for my 29 month old son, and will likely not approve of it until he's much older, if then. There is constant conflict and insulting name-calling on this show, and I don't want my son picking up words like "idiot", "moron" and "stupid". My husband and I never use those words, especially at one another, and I have no desire for my son to think that name-calling and insults are an appropriate means of dealing with conflict, or worse, that these insults are funny. Children can learn positive vocabulary words such as "pizazz" from other sources besides Sponge Bob.

Angela - posted on 10/02/2011

I disapprove of Spongebob, but I don't ban it, I simply turn the TV off. It's the commercials that bother me more. I can't stand these companies sneaking in and trying to manipulate these children into wanting toys rather than the more importantly intangible things in life-such as love,respect, dignity, happiness. Spongebob episodes irritate me, too, because nothing makes sense as to how it is under the water, lol. And I agree with a prior posting, that there is alot of fighting, situations exemplifying disrespect and other tasteless behaviors. As parents in today's society, we need to demand more from our children. We can find more positive television shows that model good, appropriate behaviors for our future leaders of the world.

Tabitha - posted on 09/29/2011

I watch Spongebob with my kids and the "new episode" nights are a special thing around here. Spongebob is one of those kid's shows that can be enjoyed on any level. However, it does sound like the dad is a bit obsessive over his hate for Spongebob. I'm that way with Barbie... only because I think that it sets an unrealistic image for little girls to imitate. Sure there are good things about Barbie, in the movies and stuff they make, and that's fine. But there's a strict Barbie doll ban in my house. I can understand a ban like that (unhealthy body image, unrealistic standards of beauty, etc) but not with Spongebob. He's just good ole silly fun.

Christina - posted on 08/05/2009

My stepson is a die hare SB fan for some reason and I used to keep him from watching it. He is 9 now and it is still limited as to how much he can watch. I do agree that the show/character is silly. My reason for not liking it is because he never keeps his pants on. I don't think that is something I want to teach my children and I have 2 toddlers as well as tweens.

Jillian - posted on 08/04/2009

My children very very rarely are given the priviledge of watching television and when they do I am right there watching it with them to monitor what is being seen and heard. 99% of the shows on television are complete trash and no parent should allow their child to watch it. Cartoons on television for instance Dora, Thomas and Friends, and Handy Manny (all of which I have watched without my children to screen whether I thought they were appropriate) express rigid gender seperation: girls like pink, ballet dresses and dolls, and boys like blue, anything with wheels and hard hats. Another example is Mickey Mouse Clubhouse gender roles here don't seem to have evolved at all since Uncle Walt was in his pomp. Daisy Duck and Minnie Mouse clatter around in oversize heels and flutter their eyelashes like extras from Mad Men. On another note, children's shows that are not cartoons are equally as trashy. They teach young girls that to be "pretty" you must be thin and wear make-up. It teaches young girls that at a very young age they should be interested in boys and having boyfriends. For boys it teaches them that they are supposed to be strong and dominant and not show emotions. Spongebob consistently shows fighting. I am appalled at what Alice said and it really makes no sense at all " NO MATTER WHAT WE ALLOW ARE CHILDREN TO WATCH WE ARE NOT ALWAYS GOING TO APPROVE OF IT"...are you kidding me? If you are allowing your child to watch it then you approve of it or you would stop them from watching it...lazy parenting. I could go on and on and on, but I will stop for now. I just think that parent should be finding other things to occupy their children rather than allowing them to sit in front of a television. Really what is it teaching them that is worth learning....in my opinion NOTHING.

Marissa - posted on 08/04/2009

I hate to tell you, but when you start off by saying "at his dad's house," you have put your finger on the problem. Yes, Spongebob is stupid, and your kid's father has every right to tell his kid what not to watch while at his house, but you need to face the fact that some men must control every aspect of their children's lives. The fact that you are no longer with the father of your child speaks volumes, dear. Good for you. I can understand why you posted this. Don't let someone like that make you feel like less of a parent. He obviously has issues with control, and it looks like your child's favorite tv character is going to take some heat. My suggestion to you is: buy or record all the Spongebob episodes you can, let your child watch them once in a while, and ignore all the crap this "man" tries to unload on you. You are a wonderful person, and good luck!!!

Belinda - posted on 08/04/2009

It would be very hard for me to ban Spongebob in my house, as I am a bigger fan than my kids. Cartoons are supposed to be for fun, I find the 'educational' shows that are on are getting too boring and repetitive for kids to pick up on. If you can make learning fun the kids will respond better. There are much much worse shows on TV than SB could ever be.................let your kids have some fun and a laugh!

Yay for Spongebob and non-sense fun!

Sandy - posted on 08/04/2009

I have two girls ages 6 and 12 and for the longest time I would not let them watch Spongebob or any of those "stupid" shows. Just recently my husband and I have decided that we will let them watch those shows if they want to only because we know that our children know that the shows are make believe. Our girls know better then to use the words dumb and stupid and shut-up. I believe that if you raise your children to be respectful and courteous then thats how they will be. I don't believe my girls watching those types of shows will change them.

Tiffany - posted on 08/04/2009

I have a 4 year old girl and a two year old girl and I do not let them watch spongebob. When they are with their father in South Carolina, that's all they do, watch tv. So naturally the crap I've been trying to protect my girls from is introduced into their minds anyway. If I have to put tv shows on for them, its always educational shows on noggin. Boo for sponge bob!

TishAnn - posted on 08/04/2009

We are a Spongebob friendly house. ;) The kids love it and I don't mind if they want a few laughs for awhile. I don't even mind watching it once in awhile with them. There are much worse programs out there.

Suzanne - posted on 08/04/2009

Well yes my children watch Spongebob and I have gotten into this debate with a few family and friends. I think there are much worse cartoons out there. Oh yes There are a lot that i do not let my kids watch. Spongebob is harmless in my opinion.

Megan - posted on 08/03/2009

My kids watch it from time to time. I try to keep their tv watching to as close as age appropriate as possible. TV in our house is for entertainment mostly unless I see something good on one of the discovery networks or some good documentary that helps get them thinking.



There are plenty of ways to teach kids about life concepts but kids do really need to have fun, I think that is what is missing from a lot of adults lives these days. We end up losing our imagination as we get older.



I would suggest a talk with his dad and if that doesnt change anything you can always let him keep his spongebob stuff for your place and explain to dad that if it winds up at his place to deal with you instead of taking his silliness out on his son.

Angela - posted on 08/03/2009

hi tiffanie, what a sad world we live when we think spongebob is stupid its suppose to be fun and thats what children need,learning is fine but let children be children no one wants to learn all the time,what programs did you watch when you were 6. it is not a terrible program. whats wrong with children having fun and laughing at a program that after all is not for adults but children. i have 5 children and my 2 grandchildren love it.

Alice - posted on 08/03/2009

I think I have to say I am a mom that wont let my 5 year old watch it in front of me. I know he watches it and that is okay. He likes the cartoon. I tried to watch it with him and I have to agree it is a terrible show for children to watch. He's not allowed to watch a few other cartoon aswell. I think the better shows are the educational shows that teaches the kids stuff as well. I HATE HANDY MANNY! DORA AND DIEGO...I like the children to read books and if they watch any television I perfer (not to say that is the only thing they watch) them to watch discovery something on the lines of that. BUT THEY ARE CHILDREN and children get a kick out of the most colorful and stupid things on televsion but I would never punish my children for wearing a character that I did not approve of. The world is so stinking crazy I guess I am just trying to protect my children from crazy stuff on televsion as I would out in the world. NO MATTER WHAT WE ALLOW ARE CHILDREN TO WATCH WE ARE NOT ALWAYS GOING TO APPROVE OF IT.

Danielle - posted on 08/02/2009

lol, dad sounds a little manic about good old spongebob! My kids watch it, it's not my cup of tea but they get a giggle out of it :)