Child psychology experts are warning that certain puppet shows of popular television cartoon characters promote improper behavior among children. They criticized businesses and the media for using these shows to make money and decried the lack of proper children's theater in the Kingdom. Madhi Al-Amir, a Jeddah television presenter and member of the Saudi Society for Children's Care, is opposed to the shows at malls which include watching of snakes and eating of glass. “How can a child be subjected to such shows? There is no doubt these shows have a psychological and educational impact on children,” he said, adding that having children take pictures with people dressed as popular cartoon characters at malls is a danger to their health. “Many cartoons do not comply with the Shariah. Allowing children to watch puppets with popular cartoon features will result in the child clinging to these puppets, impact on his behavior and make him think that puppets are real,” said Sheikh Dr. Nami Al-Shareef, Chair of the Islamic Education Department at the Department of Education in Jeddah. These cartoons are produced by non-Arab and non-Muslim countries and are not compatible with Muslim and Arab values. They do not benefit our children in any way, he argued. “The home is the first and most important school in the child's life. Parents are required to give advice to their sons, direct them, and select what they see, whether live shows at malls, markets, or TV shows. Children should not be subjected to shows that affect their conduct,” said Saud Abdul Aali Al-Harbi, a member of the Saudi Society for Children's Care. “Real children's theater enriches the child's imagination and teaches children new positive skills, not improper conduct shown by puppets on stage,” said Al-Harbi, adding that these puppets with cartoon features could see children being abused. “These puppets increase a child's imagination and are a source of amusement. However, the values conveyed by the puppets depend on the clown who wears the puppet clothes,” said Asmaa Al-Hashim, owner and director of Little Creative Children's Club in the Eastern Province and member of the Saudi Society for Children's Care. Families should keep a close eye on their kids when they watch these puppets at malls. These puppets should have educational goals and should not teach kids unethical values, she noted. __
