Perceptions On Televised Animated Cartoons Watched By Children Aged Seven To Eleven Years In Nairobi County, Kenya

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to establish the perceptions on televised animated cartoons watched by children aged seven to eleven years in Nairobi County, Kenya. Methodology: The study used descriptive survey method to collect information through casual interviews and self-administered questionnaires. The research used the non-probability design and employed judgmental sampling. Results: The study also concluded that there are the reasons and views held by children in relation to how they rate their popular animated cartoons as "good" or "bad" from what they see and why. The respondents rated "Ben 10" as their most preferred animated cartoon program, with "Kim Possible rated second, followed by "American Dragon" in third place and the Power puff girls coming in fourth. They are considered funny, enjoyable, entertaining, and interesting by the children. These characteristics all fall under the theme of entertainment and/or amusement. The respondents worst cartoon characters are "Johnny Bravo" followed by Ed, Edd and Eddy. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: Parents need to advocate for high quality programmes for children and removal inappropriate animated cartoons from the local TV stations. Media corporations should not view children through an economic lens and they should be value-neutral. Furthermore, communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) and Kenya Film Censorship Board (KFCB), Ministry of Information and Communications should vet the content of animated cartoon before they are run on the TV stations and give advance clearance in an advisory capacity. There is no policies controlling the content in the animated aired on Kenyan TV stations.