Cocomelon Behavior Problems: Expert Explains Why Toddler Tantrums Are Common With This Show's Young Viewers

Are you a parent of a toddler? Then you've likely come across arguments among other parents and the experts online about the triggers of Cocomelon behavior problems in young kids. 

Across various platforms, viral videos have been going on and on about how some parents have made it a point to ban the children's series in their homes because it's leading to toddler tantrums. 

In an Instagram post, Jerrica Sannes, a child development expert, enumerated some of the disadvantages she observed from toddlers allowed to watch Cocomelon. Her main argument is that the show "acts as a drug, as a stimulant" like dopamine. 

She said that the more toddlers watch the animated show, the more they are exposed to the "lights, sounds, flashes, colors" that impact their cognitive development. The expert even described Cocomelon as "baby cocaine" that makes toddlers "act out" and misbehave if they're not getting their daily stimulation. 

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Overstimulation is a Screen Time Problem

Sannes' Instagram post has raised some concerns for parents whose toddlers cannot shake off watching Cocomelon. Many parents also tend to leave their kids watching the series so they can take a shower or a short nap.

However, Alabama psychologist Daniel Marullo explained that the Cocomelon behavior problems are not exclusive to just one show. Marullo told Romper that regardless of the type of program, any time a toddler spends too much time glued to the TV screen, it will hamper their development process and heighten their temper tantrums. 

"It's not about certain shows over others," Marullo said. "The general trend is that there is no benefit to media." 

Marullo further cited research underscoring the effects of TV watching on toddlers. He said that children could develop their language and social skills if they are exposed to "high-quality educational content." 

He reminded parents that while media can be a tool for learning and entertainment, it's not the only source for toddlers. They need active play, interaction, and the ability to get dirty or noisy to develop their skills, especially in ways they can express what they want and not resort to tantrums. 

Recommended Screen Time for Toddlers

According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, kids between 18 to 24 months should have limited screen times focused solely on educational shows. Kids between 2 to 5 years old, on the other hand, may enjoy an hour per week of non-educational screen time. 

However, despite the recommendations, a study from the experts at the University of Calgary cited that 64 percent of toddlers in at least 60 countries exceed the recommended screen time. Those between the ages of 2 to 5 years old have become the fastest-growing digital media users during this pandemic.

Therefore, the challenge for parents of toddlers is not to switch kids from watching Cocomelon but to increase their activities away from digital gadgets. They need to be engaged in other ways than watching programs on the screen.

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