As a parent, how concerned are you about the content your child is exposed to through television, the internet, and social media? Have you taken the time to ask how such exposure shapes your child’s behavior, values, and learning experiences? How often do you review what they watch or read to ensure it remains suitable for their age?
Parents must take an active interest in what their children consume. We live in an age where entertainment has quietly become education by stealth. The screen has replaced the classroom in shaping values, and the subtle messages embedded in children’s programs are often more powerful than any formal lesson. Long gone are the days when Tom and Jerry defined childhood innocence. Today, many animations once created to teach kindness and teamwork have become vehicles for normalizing adult themes and controversial ideologies under the guise of “representation.”
Recently, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX and one of the world’s richest men, urged his followers to cancel their Netflix subscriptions, citing what he described as a “transgender woke agenda” creeping into children’s shows. His statement ignited widespread debate online. While some dismissed it as another billionaire outburst, others paused to reflect. If someone of Musk’s stature feels compelled to scrutinize what his children watch, then no parent—certainly not in Ghana—has an excuse to be unconcerned. The times have changed, and screens have become the new teachers. What our children see is shaping who they become.
Across the world, cartoons and online animations are now easily accessible on tablets, smartphones, and televisions. Many parents hand over these devices simply to keep their children occupied while they attend to chores, often unaware that content algorithms subtly influence young minds and replace traditional values with alternative ideologies.
Some may argue, “It’s just a cartoon.” But nothing is just a cartoon anymore. Characters in global animated content now address themes of identity, sexuality, and self-expression in ways deliberately designed to capture impressionable minds. Children naturally admire their animated heroes and heroines; thus, when a boy repeatedly sees a male character portrayed as brave for dressing like a girl, or when a show presents a family with two fathers as entirely “normal,” something subtle occurs. Curiosity turns into confusion — and confusion, over time, can become conviction.
Once upon a time in Ghana, children grew up with programs like By the Fireside, Kyekyekule, and Inspector Bediako — shows that reflected our culture, discipline, and creativity. Today, a few local productions such as YOLO and Tales of Nazir still strive to mirror society and teach responsibility. Unfortunately, these efforts are often overshadowed by global streaming giants whose content doesn’t always align with our cultural values.
The battle for our children’s minds is no longer fought in classrooms; it is being waged in our living rooms. Ghanaian parents must therefore wake up to the responsibility of media guardianship. Be aware of what your children are watching. Replace rather than merely restrict. Sit with them and discuss what they see. Teach them to think critically about the messages behind the entertainment.
As the saying goes, “More is caught than taught.” Our children may not always listen to what we say, but they constantly absorb what we allow. Every cartoon, song, or movie tells a story — and every story carries a message.
So, watch it before they do. The future of our children depends on it.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Gerard Asagi|Bolgatanga
