Apparently, not only are their minds going to mush but there is a link between blood pressure in children and their choice of TV as their inactive pastimes.
To some it may be a chicken-and-egg issue, but I am going for broke on this one to say that the brain mush-ification is causing kids to choose TV and leading to all these other bad things.
I watch cartoons with my son on weekend mornings and I was so sad when he moved from Arthur and Animalia to the Cartoon networks and WPIX. Some serious weird stuff on those channels. But watching this stuff prepares them for adulthood. Look at what the average American watches: American Idol, I am a Celebrity–Get me Out of Here, Survivor, Dance your A@@ Off, Deal or No Deal. The real worry is that if the mushification of the brain starts too early, then by the time a person is 25, his or her brain will be liquid and pouring out of his or her ears.
Now, THAT is something to worry about.
Hey, don’t knock American Idol until you’ve watched it. (Actually, I know you haven’t watched ANY of those shows…) American Idol is a family show, with the opportunity to watch talented young people show off their talent, and, if they are very good and appeal to a broad number of people, they could be successful entertainers. It’s something families can watch and enjoy together. AND, sometimes, you find some amazing talent whose music you actually want to listen to.
Or a charismatic, sex-on-a-stick young man with the a 3 octave voice of an angel. And you find yourself oddly invested in his career and want him to be a superstar. (not that I would know anything about that :))