Children's Television and Censorship

I think both sides of the spectrum concerning censorship of children's television raise some valid points. There is one side I tend to agree more with, however I see the value in the intentions of both. 

I think, for the most part, kids can handle a lot more than we give them credit for. In the same way that "baby talk" does not serve as a good introduction to speaking and language, "baby television" that tiptoes around certain issues that children are bound to hear about- and perhaps even face one day in life- does not serve as a good introduction in life, problem solving and free thinking. Instead of spoon-feeding children information that we wish them to learn, plant in them a desire for what is being fed. Prompt them to ask questions and search for answers. I think most parents will find that this freedom is just as important as guidance. This is not to say that anything at any level is open and ready for children's eyes. There are some subjects that children do not need to be exposed to, yet I would like to raise an interesting point: remember watching Disney movies as a kid? Is your interpretation of the films different now than how you viewed it as a child? I realized the older I grew that I had absolutely no idea what was going on half of the time. Case and point, there are prostitutes in the movie Aladdin. Was I scarred forever? No, I did not even realize it at the time. The scene was tasteful and did not give more than an implication. It comes down to how strong and how tasteful difficult content is introduced to children.

I feel as though those on the opposing side view those for censorship as Mrs. Kangaroo from Horton Hears a Who. The big, bad mother-figure who wants to isolate and close the ears of all the children. This is not always a bad thing, however. There are some degrees that children are not ready for. I had not even considered the subject Professor Leeper brought up about children's advertisements. It is particularly disturbing that children's commercials run so much longer than adult commercial breaks. I remember watching ads on television and seeing all of the dolls, candy and cereal that my mother would never buy me because of the expense or the sugar-content. It was almost as entertaining for me as the show itself. This could be rather dangerous sometimes because it gave me a sudden blast of consumer culture that I did not need. I do feel that this area especially needs more censorship and regulations.