An Assessment of Children's Interaction with Television Cartoons: A Case Study of a Selected Population In Nairobi.

Abstract

This study sought to assess children's interaction with television cartoons. To fulfill this purpose, urban children from five government-sponsored primary schools in Umoja Estate were judgmentally sampled. The study utilized a survey design, which used a self-administered questionnaire as well as focus group dis- cussions to collect data. Out of the 325 questionnaires sent out, 302 of them were used for analysis. Most of the data from the questionnaires were coded and ana- lyzed using the SPSS 11.0 for windows analysis software. Open-ended questions were analyzed alongside responses from the three focus group discussions by way of major themes and constructs. The fact that children watch television cartoons in not is doubt as reveled by this study. Most cartoon watching takes place during the weekends and holidays when the school-going children are at home. Again, most viewing takes place at home during morning hours. Children do see good and bad things in the cartoons that they watch but their interpretation of good and bad is of no concern. Children watch cartoons for entertainment and they sometimes learn from what they watch hence, edutainment. The cartoons most preferred by the children include among others, "Tom and Jerry," "Power Puff Girls" and "Scooby Doo." Another key find- ing was that children talk about TV cartoons more with their friends than with their parents or guardians hence most parents may not be aware of what their children are consuming from cartoons. The study further revealed that there is a relationship between gender and cartoon preference where children preferred car- toons that enhanced their gender and portrayed them in good light.