Animated cartoons: at what age should children start watching them?

If there’s one thing that attracts children, it’s screens, and along with them, cartoons!

From a very young age, little ones are fascinated by these images that move on their own and make noise. Besides, which parent hasn't been tempted to put their child in front of an episode of PAW Patrol just to get some peace?

And yet, exposing them to screens too early can be dangerous and stunt their development, leading to harmful consequences later on.

So, at what age can you let your child watch cartoons? How do you manage this activity and set the right rules? Discover our tips in our guide for parents!

Screen time based on age

First, it can be useful to know the different stages of child development and to know if they are compatible with screen use.

According to the 3-6-9-12 rule from child psychiatrist Serge Tisseron, there is no benefit in putting your child in front of a screen before the age of 3. Pediatricians state that this would have negative effects on their physical and intellectual development.

In short, according to this rule, designed to support children growing up in the digital age:

• 📵 No screens before age 3, or as little as possible

• 🎮 No game consoles or video games before age 6

• 🚫 No internet before age 9

• 👩‍💻 Internet alone from age 12, but under supervision

Serge Tisseron and experts are not the only ones warning about the dangers of screen overexposure for toddlers.

Regarding the use of television, the French Audiovisual Council (CSA) also supports this view, stating that children should not watch TV before the age of 3.

Before age 3: no screens for toddlers

A child develops by interacting with the world. They need to use their five senses and develop interactions, which are essential to their development. Putting them in front of the TV risks harming their development, confining them to the role of a spectator far too early.

The CSA also warns against the misconception that cartoons have a soothing effect on young children.

A baby’s gaze is captured by the images and sounds from the screen that they do not understand. Their brain is then essentially put on pause. Parents may get the impression that it soothes them, but in reality, it is more of a hypnotic state, often followed by overexcitement. To calm them down, parents then get into the habit of putting their child in front of a screen more and more, increasing the harmful effects.

What is recommended is a progressive use of screens for the young, and cartoons are not recommended before age 3.

From 3 to 6 years old: a progressive introduction

For this age group, the CSA recommends limiting time spent in front of the television to a maximum of 30 or 40 minutes per day.

The chosen program must, of course, be age-appropriate for the child.

Up until age 6, a child struggles to distinguish reality from fiction. It is therefore important for parents to make it a habit to talk with them about what they have seen.

Between 6 and 10 years old: adapted programs in limited quantities

Parents must be particularly attentive to the child's sensitivity and to what they are watching.

In fact, from age 6, they start to understand the images shown on television and could be tempted to replicate what they have seen.

One must be vigilant by favoring cartoons, or any other youth-oriented program, and always discuss it with them to show them the difference between the program and reality.

You must also maintain discipline regarding time spent in front of the TV: 1 to 2 hours per day at most, across all screens combined.

From age 10: max 2 hours per day in front of a screen

The child is becoming more and more autonomous. It is normal that they want to watch what interests them.

However, it is necessary for parents to accompany them in their choices and keep an eye on the content being watched, which must be appropriate for their age and sensitivity. And for screens, it's a maximum of 2 hours per day.

In adolescence: freedom and vigilance

Teens can benefit from more freedom, but screen time must also be controlled here: 2 to 4 hours ideally.

We can only advise against putting a TV in their bedroom. Partly because the blue light emitted by the screen disrupts sleep. And also because it’s tempting to turn on the console or the TV late at night...

The risks of early exposure to television and cartoons

Cartoons can have a positive influence on your child. They are entertaining, they can be educational, and they help enrich vocabulary... But for that, it is essential to choose them carefully.

Regardless, more and more studies demonstrate the harmful effects that excessive screen consumption can have on children. Among them:

😴 Sleep disturbances

Screens emit artificial blue light that can have harmful consequences on the eyes and lead to vision problems. In addition to causing digital eye strain, this light disrupts sleep, especially if the child watches cartoons right before going to bed.

🤖 Negative consequences on intellectual and physical development

Early exposure to screens can harm a child's development, as they risk locking themselves into a world where they do not interact with those around them and do not evolve properly in their environment.

🙄 Attention and concentration disorders

Screens are known to have harmful effects on a child’s cognitive functions. A young child exposed to screens too early is more likely to develop concentration problems, memory issues, and attention disorders.

🍭 Sedentary lifestyle

By putting a child in front of the TV early, bad habits can form quickly! Time spent in front of the television and other screens is time when the child is not exercising, which can lead to overweight problems. Also, be careful with snacking, which is so tempting when watching their favorite cartoon but terribly bad for their health.

Rules to set for managing cartoon watching

So, of course, we aren’t saying you should ban screens and cartoons for our children, far from it!

Because as they grow up, it’s obvious that if your little one isn't familiar with the great cartoons of our time or doesn't know how to use a screen at all, their social integration could be difficult!

What you need to remember is to let them discover it at the right time and under the right conditions. Cartoons also have beneficial effects for a child's development, provided they are used well. As is often the case, it’s all a question of balance and common sense.

Here are some tips to allow parents to put a healthy framework in place when children are watching cartoons:

• ✅ choose appropriate content: we often talk about the (excessive) amount of screen time for children, but much less about the content of the programs they watch. And yet, it is something that should not be taken lightly. You must first pay attention to the duration by taking into account your child’s attention span, based on their age. You must then choose a story and reassuring characters that the child can identify with. Also, be wary of the messages conveyed by the cartoon, which must also be appropriate for your child.

• 📺 be careful with commercials: all it takes is for a child to watch the first commercial they see to demand something from their parents that they absolutely do not need! Furthermore, they could be exposed to messages that are not meant for them at all. You must therefore ensure that the program or cartoon being watched contains little to no ads.

• 👍 try to diversify the cartoons: even if a child will naturally be more attracted to a program they know and enjoy, it can be interesting to show them something different to broaden their horizons. By showing them a variety of cartoons, they can stimulate their creativity and discover new areas of exploration.

• 💬 always be available to discuss the cartoon being watched and sometimes take the time to watch one with your child. In addition to sharing a moment together, it will be an opportunity to ask them questions to find out what they understood and possibly explain certain things to them if necessary. Come on, be brave, you’re an adult, Peppa Pig isn’t going to scare you!

• 🕗 manage screen time: from the moment you decide to show cartoons to your child, it doesn't mean it’s a free-for-all at home! It is necessary to set limits. For example, no TV in the morning or before going to school, and even less during meals or right before going to bed. Cartoons are for when mom and dad decide, not whenever the child demands them.

• 🎨 encourage creative and outdoor activities: even if the child watches cartoons, parents must continue to have them do manual activities like drawing, painting, construction games... And they must also spend time outside (walks in the park, sports, etc.).

• 🤓 prevent children's eye strain with blue light blocking glasses: once the child starts using screens, you must prevent the harmful effects of artificial blue light (which is fortunate, as we have a magnificent collection of glasses just for them, with the best filtration on the market!)

Which cartoons based on the child's age

• 🍼 From 0 to 3 years old: If you have read our article well, you know that the right answer is none! Absolutely no screens for toddlers!

• 👶 Between 3 and 6 years old: It is best to start with mini-cartoons adapted for toddlers (T’choupi, Peppa Pig, Petit Ours Brun, children's programs on France 5...). For a child between 3 and 4 years old, the duration should be 10 to 20 minutes. From 5-6 years old, you can extend to 1 hour max and choose a longer cartoon (avoid putting your little one straight in front of Disney movies like Snow White or Pinocchio if you don't want them to get put off by cartoons right away). At these ages, do not exceed 2 hours per week.

• 🧒 From 6 to 10 years old: You can start broadening the programs a bit. Disney, Pixar, animated films, children's shows, educational videos, video games for kids... Limit viewing sessions to 2 hours max without exceeding 6 hours per week. Don't forget to keep an eye on the program and discuss it regularly with your child afterwards.

• 🧑 From 10 years old and up: You can choose fairly varied programs: still cartoons but also movies, TV shows, documentaries... Just ensure the content is always well-adapted to the child's age and sensitivity. Ideally, try to limit it to 2 hours of viewing max and no more than 10 hours per week.

The final word: at what age should you show cartoons to your child?

It is important to forbid screens for a toddler. Ideally, you should wait at least 3 years before showing your child cartoons.

For the experience to remain pleasant and safe, parents must strictly respect certain rules, including the cartoon content, its duration, and its adaptation to the child's sensitivity.

Communication and parental supervision are also essential elements, as is limiting screen time.

By following these few recommendations, children will be able to watch cartoons and enjoy them fully and serenely, just like their parents!