Shafaq News
Modern anime and children’s cartoons are no longer just light
entertainment in Iraq’s homes and schools. Teachers, researchers, and
child-rights advocates warn that high-energy plots, aggressive themes, and
hours of unsupervised viewing are influencing how children think, behave, and
interact — sometimes with lasting consequences.
In Iraq, where more than half the population is under 25 and
internet access has surged in the past decade, foreign-produced media has
become a daily companion for many children. Most content arrives via satellite
TV, YouTube, and streaming platforms, often dubbed into Arabic and consumed
without parental oversight or age classification.
Between Creativity and Overload
From kindergartens in Baghdad to primary schools in Basra,
educators say the effects are visible.
“Children who watch these shows struggle to focus and prefer
isolation over play,” said Malak Hikmat, a kindergarten teacher in the capital.
She noted to Shafaq News that some rush home to watch films, avoid school
activities, and occasionally imitate violent behavior. “This indicates a flaw
in their personalities, and parents must address the issue quickly.”
Educational researcher Faleh al-Quraishi explains to Shafaq news
that modern animated shows can enhance language skills and spark imagination.
Yet, he warns, their sheer volume and fast-paced delivery can overwhelm young
minds — noting that Disney alone produces around 500 films annually.
Al-Quraishi cites content trends that concern many Iraqi parents:
“About 95% of these productions promote violence or aggression, and some
attempt to embed inappropriate themes in children’s minds, including material
on sexual behavior.”
From a health perspective, al-Quraishi adds that excessive viewing
can lead to reduced physical activity, obesity, bone deformities, eye and
hearing problems, and psychological issues such as apathy, depression, and
neglect of hobbies and abilities.
These warnings align with World Health Organization guidance,
which recommends no screen time for infants and less than an hour daily for
children under five, and with American Academy of Pediatrics advice urging
families to set clear media plans and watch with young children.
Moral and Cultural Concerns
Women’s and children’s rights activist Lina Ali argues that many
modern cartoons undermine children’s perception, focus, and emotional
stability. Unlike older productions with clear moral lessons, she says, much of
today’s content “glorifies evil, blurs gender distinctions, and includes subtle
sexual themes.”
Ali points, in an interview with Shafaq News, to studies showing
that background music and sound effects can also influence perception and
concentration, sometimes correlating with declining academic performance.
Global Evidence, Local Relevance
A 2023 JAMA Pediatrics study in Japan, tracking more than 7,000
children, found that increased screen time at age one was linked to
communication and problem-solving delays by ages two and four. While not
definitive proof of causation, the findings add to evidence that heavy early
exposure can affect attention and behavior.
According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and
Development, over 95% of adolescents in many countries are online daily, with
problematic use on the rise. In the UK, Ofcom reports that animation and
short-form videos are among the most consumed formats by children, often viewed
alone on mobile devices.
While these are global trends, Iraqi educators say the impact is
amplified by weak content regulation, rapid technology adoption, and limited
parental guidance.
In southern provinces and Baghdad alike, teachers report more
solitary play, reduced social interaction, and irritability when screens are
removed.
Psychology professor Manahil al-Saleh describes childhood as “one
of the most important and sensitive stages” for learning and personality
development. She notes that animated films, with their appealing visuals, leave
strong impressions and often feature aggressive characters that foster fear,
anxiety, and negative behaviors.
“Most children watch cartoons alone and gravitate toward programs
featuring killing,” she tells Shafaq News, adding that reactions can range from
fear to direct imitation — a pattern worsened when families fail to set limits
on both content and screen time.
From Homes to Classrooms: Possible Solutions
Teacher Hikmat recommends parents reintroduce carefully selected
classics with moral and educational value, avoiding exaggerated, unrealistic
characters such as those in Masha and the Bear or SpongeBob SquarePants.
On the other hand, Al-Quraishi suggests introducing “screen
literacy” as a school subject, teaching children how to recognize harmful
content and manage viewing habits — an approach in line with UNESCO’s push for
media literacy worldwide.
Experts agree that the most effective strategy is not a total ban,
but a balanced approach: choosing age-appropriate content, setting daily time
limits, co-viewing to guide interpretation, and keeping certain spaces in the
home device-free.
In Iraq, where the next generation is growing up with
unprecedented exposure to global media, the challenge is not simply to shield
children from harmful influences, but to equip them — and their parents — with
the tools to navigate a fast-changing digital landscape.
Written and
edited by Shafaq News staff.
