Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? According to some of the viewers who watch TVE, and especially the children's channel Clan, a sponge that is loud and violent. Is SpongeBob too violent?
According to the latest report on minors of the Defender of the Spectator, Listener and Internet user of RTVE, almost a third of the complaints received about minors during the first quarter of 2011 had to do with scenes of "violence". Specifically, the series that received the most complaints were the Gormitis, Code Lyoko, Batman and SpongeBob.
It is clear that parents want the content that our children see offer as much security as possible; Therefore, the Ombudsman will be aware of the presence of violence in the contents of those programs aimed primarily at children.
However, he points out that the complaints that have been received have been very general, and therefore do not allow us to reach a conclusion as to whether these programs have inappropriate content.
Among the complaints received were some in which it was said that the Gormitis incite the fight, that Code Lyoko is a waste of violence, that Batman is violent or that SpongeBob has many cries and violence.
As an explanation to these complaints, the Ombudsman explains that, due to the rhythm and the numerous adventures that occur in these series, someone who is not used to the cartoons that are currently broadcast on television can interpret things in a way incorrect.
Parents and television
The Defender of the Spectator also fails to understand that if parents have little bargaining power with their children in what they may or may not watch on television, confusion and controversy are assured.
As in so many other things in everyday life, the differences between the type of cartoons that parents saw when they were children and those who currently see their children, can lead them to think that the latter are excessively aggressive, without this be like that.
Various specialists, when asked about the effects of television on children, consider that negative effects of television they have more to do with the time that television is seen, if it is seen alone or accompanied or the excess of fantasy fiction content alien to everyday life.
This reality parallel to real life, they say, may not serve children in their learning process and create unrealistic references about the world in which they live.
What do you think of all this SpongeBob?
Those responsible for the children's channel, advised by the Ombudsman, argue that although these series contain elements of action and adventure, does not mean that they do violence apology.
Specifically, in the case of SpongeBob, the director of Clan says that the attitude and ideology of the good is always rewarded against those of the bad character.
And you, what do you think? Is SpongeBob too violent? Should I leave Bikini Bottom and go to a correctional facility for a while?
