NATURE OF TELEVISED ANIMATED CARTOONS WATCHED BY CHILDREN AGED SEVEN TO ELEVEN YEARS IN NAIROBI COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to establish the nature of televised animated cartoons watched by children aged seven and eleven years in Nairobi County, Kenya. It is about cartoon-consumer relationship in an effort to discover the impacts of animated cartoons on children in Nairobi. It also raises awareness on the implications of raising children in Nairobi on an animated cartoon content that is designed mainly from Euro-American and not local values, attitudes and sensibilities. It is hoped that the findings and conclusions herein will help generate cartoons that can educate Kenyan children to live in ways that are socially and culturally desirable. Methodology: The study used descriptive survey method to collect information through casual interviews and self-administered questionnaires.Findings: This study suggests that animated cartoons have discernible impacts on children in Nairobi in that they influence the children to construct their worldview and create perceptions that are alien to Kenya. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: Between the ages of seven to eleven years children are excellent imitators but poor evaluators, therefore, the non-African ideals and values portrayed in the animated cartoons are increasingly defining the perception and attitudes towards gender roles, sexuality, body images and role modelling of children who consume animated cartoons in Nairobi. This is because these children are in that stage where images and impressions from diverse environments play a big part in how they construct their world.