Over the summer, I worked at Camp of the Rising Son where I had trouble starting conversations and connecting with kids because of my shy nature. After a few weeks of camp with no phone to keep track of time, I went to the store looking for a new watch. I immediately spotted the one I wanted. It was a “Bluey” watch.
“Bluey” is a show following a young blue heeler named Bluey. It showcases her life and adventures with her mom, dad and sister, Bingo. Alongside the fantastically addictive plot of “Bluey” episodes, its intricate artwork portrays the extreme detail and thought the creators clearly put into the show.
The show’s significance, however, lies primarily in each episode’s theme. Many kid’s shows opt for typical messages such as kindness and sharing. “Bluey” does not skip over these themes. Instead, it expresses them as accents to deeper overall themes. For example, the show tackles hard topics including the loss of a friend, infertility, speaking up for yourself and the fear of falling behind in life.
The truly amazing part of “Bluey” is those big ideas don’t only appeal to children, but also to their parents and older siblings. This was evident to me when on the first day I wore my “Bluey” watch to camp. Several kids approached me about it then. Later on, mentioning the watch had a similar amount of recognition when I talked about it to my peers at MSMS. My watch ended up being a great conversation starter and helped me break out of my shell during the first few weeks of school. Even now, I still receive compliments on my watch from kids, teens and parents alike.
“Bluey” is not only beloved by millions but is also a necessary shift in modern TV. Gen Alpha has infamously been dubbed as the iPad kid generation. Most American children spend about three hours a day watching TV and a total of about five to seven hours a day on a screen. This is increasingly becoming a danger to our society as this continual exposure to overstimulating content can negatively affect children later in life.
Despite this, many parents are dependent on TV and continue to put on overly immersive shows, which can develop into a constant craving for dopamine in their children. Cartoons are undoubtedly helpful for worn-out parents, but it is best to stick to animations that have a slower pace, softer colors and minimal sound effects, like “Bluey.”
“Bluey” is a refreshing twist on the attention-grabbing nonsense of many modern kid’s shows. It allows parents to connect with their kids in a way that cultivates their kid’s imagination while teaching them how to navigate bad moods or days. The artistic style of “Bluey” uses soft coloring essential to the appeal of the show. It is not annoying or repetitive; it is enjoyable for kids and parents to watch. If TV must raise a generation, I’d rather kids watch shows like “Bluey.”
