The theoretical physicist, Stephen Hawking, once said:“I like physics, but I love cartoons.”

The variation of words he used for physics and cartoons certainly shows that cartoons interested him more than physics, strangely enough.

Cartoons are important in one’s early years. Unfortunately, I think cartoons are undervalued and not given the credit they are due. The following points will make you understand why I feel they are important to some extent.

Cartoons enhance vocabulary

Watching cartoons certainly increases and develops vocabulary. And kids don’t even have to ask about the meanings of particular words because in a cartoon film, when the characters are in a situation, the new words are explained by the beautiful illustrations and actions of the cartoons. And that is the beauty of cartoons.

Lessons are learnt

Cartoons are divided into different episodes, and each episode is to teach a new lesson. Though this isn’t true for all cartoons, still a great number of them subtly teach life lessons and morals, which thus teach and make kids mature, sensible and smart.

Creativity increases

Creative people are generally focused and focus can also come from watching cartoons. So many people, including Stephen Hawking, who are focused love cartoons. So there is somehow a link between creativity and cartoons in this regard.

I briefly explained the benefits of cartoons; but the question remains — why are cartoons so important ‘to some extent’? Let’s see why.

The cons of cartoons

Even though cartoons can be really helpful, getting addicted and watching cartoons for hours and hours is dreadful. Why? Well, because of the following reasons:

Health issues: Other than causing brain damage, it can also weaken the eyesight of children who sit in front of the screens for hours and hours. As many scientific research shows, it can even be harmful to the normal development of the brain’.

Violence: To explain simply, question yourself — have you ever tried to act like a character you liked in a movie, or speak in the same way? Or adopt the lifestyle of that particular character?

Most probably, yes. Similarly, after kids watch a violent cartoon, they also try to be like one of the violent character of that cartoon. Hence, they can also grow up influenced by what they had seen in cartoons.

So the conclusion is, cartoons do give a great deal of focal points to young children, but at the same time, watching too many cartoons can have bad effects. Children should watch cartoons that are fun, interesting, and help increase their knowledge, imagination and creativity.

Stay safe, keep watching cartoons while you stay home, but do take care that they are those that leave a positive impact and have not been made just to mint money for the makers.

Published in Dawn, Young World, July 18th, 2020