Yesterday, I turned on my TV. Instead of the usual YouTube or Netflix, I went for a hit of nostalgia—cartoons. Kids’ media. Stuff that used to be a big part of my own childhood. But unlike before, I couldn’t enjoy it. I realized something: these cartoons are storiless, moral-less, full of plot holes, and poorly animated. And that got me thinking.
Chapter 1: Grasping the Problem
Let’s start with a simple truth—kids are shaped by the people around them and, indirectly, by the media they consume. And the stuff Indian kids are watching right now? It’s beyond comprehension. Why it continues to exist, let alone thrive, is even harder to understand.
TV channels are in a terrible state. Cartoon Network has become a loop of three to five shows, played over and over. Hungama and Sonic follow suit, occasionally dropping a “new” movie—often already 3+ years old in its home country. The smaller channels? Mostly toddler bait. I assure you that no one older than 9 is watching “Little Singham.”
Chapter 2: What’s the Real Issue?
At first glance, it might not seem that bad. But the real issue lies in what these shows are actually teaching. About 90% are brain rot—entertainment with zero value. The other 10%? Foreign shows that haven’t had a new episode since I entered high school.
Take Indian shows like Chhota Bheem, Motu Patlu, and more. The formula is always the same: the hero faces a problem, eats something (or magically powers up with “friendship”), and defeats the villain. That’s it. What lesson does that teach?
Worse, shows like Bandbudh Aur Budbak basically glorify skipping school, annoying teachers, and causing trouble. Sure, I laughed at it as a kid. But looking back, the message is completely off. On top of that, there’s barely any commercial value—unlike Western shows made to support toys or merch lines, these just exist without a clear identity or purpose.
Then there's the online space—YouTube Kids is a disaster. It’s full of inappropriate content disguised as “pranks,” and brain-rotting garbage like “Chudail” (Witch) videos. Seriously, what the hell?
This might seem like a small thing, but considering how impressionable kids are, this can become a real problem if left unchecked.
Chapter 3: A Solution?
It’s not all bad. Believe it or not, there were good shows—the imported ones. Personally, I loved Ben 10 and Power Rangers. They had solid animation, real plotlines, actual morals, and yes, they even sold toys. They made kids think.
The solution? Two paths: either level up Indian animation and make good original content, or double down on what’s already proven—import quality shows.
Realistically? The first option feels like a long shot.
So, let’s talk about the second. In the past, we got shows that still have a fanbase today—many from Japan. One that comes to mind is Ryukendo, a live-action, Power Rangers-style drama that was surprisingly good. Why not build on that? A great option would be the Kamen Rider series—superhero shows with seasons so good they’ve got 8+ IMDb ratings.
We also have great American cartoons that were half-dubbed and then abandoned. Shows like Danny Phantom, Avatar, and the original Teen Titans deserve proper dubbing and structured airtime. These aren’t just for kids—some appeal to teens as well.
And let’s not forget parental responsibility. Content moderation at home matters. If a kid has full access to YouTube, they’ll eventually stumble onto brain rot or worse.
So, to wrap it up—ask yourself this: Do you really want your little siblings, cousins, or future kids to grow up on these pathetic excuses for shows? Or do they deserve something that’s at least half-decent?
Written by Kirit
