Cartoon Network's Tickle U

Hi Everybody,
This summer I have been interning with the Campaign for a Commercial
Free Childhood. While working there, I have learned a lot about the
negative effects that television and marketing have on the well-being
of children. Because of this, I am extremely concerned about Tickle U,
the Cartoon Network's new two-hour weekday pre-school programming
block.

The Cartoon Network claims the programming, which will premiere on
August 22, will help develop a child's sense of humor. There is no
evidence that television aids in humor development - and plenty of
evidence that television can be harmful to young children. Television
viewing is a factor in childhood obesity. Research also suggests that
preschoolers who are heavy television viewers score lower on academic
and intelligence tests later in life and are more likely to become
bullies.

And then there is the marketing. Several of the Tickle U programs plan
to license their characters to toys, games, apparel, and food products.
This marketing, of course, is in addition to the on-air commercials
that will run throughout Tickle U

I hope you will consider all of this information before letting your
children watch this new programming. For more information and
resources please go to: www.commercialfreechildhood.org