Coimbatore: Prolonged exposure to cartoon series is adversely impacting children's mental and physical well-being, warn doctors in Coimbatore, urging parents to monitor screen time closely.

Over the past decade, the number of children's cartoon channels across languages has grown significantly, with many shows airing continuously. Medical experts note that children are increasingly becoming addicted to these programmes, leading to behavioural changes.

Doctors at a government hospital here said they recently counselled three children who had begun imitating cartoon characters in their behaviour. They cautioned that content involving violence and romantic themes—often found in international cartoon series—can influence young viewers.

Dr Mohanraj, a paediatrician at the District Early Intervention Centre (DEIC), advised that children below two years should not be exposed to cartoon content. “Even for older children, only limited, subject-based viewing is advisable. Excessive viewing may result in children identifying with fictional characters, affecting their perception and behaviour,” he said. However, he clarified there is no scientific evidence linking cartoon addiction to autism.

Sasikumar, Head of the Child Welfare Department, added that prolonged cartoon viewing can distort children's sense of reality. “Some try to imitate acts like flying or jumping seen in cartoons, which can be harmful. While grandparents may resort to screen time to manage children in the absence of parents, this should not be encouraged,” he said.