[ipython]

The difference is- the producers of shows such as Mister Rogers and Sesame Street did not have a profit motive to increase "engagement" numbers. They actually used psychology to try and improve the outcomes of their viewers (aka children) rather than trying to improve the outcomes of themselves.

I mean, watch CoComelon and Sesame Street (or Mister Rogers, or Daniel Tiger...) side by side and tell me there isn't a qualitative difference between the two.

[garciasn]

You’re being purposefully obtuse by indirectly saying that TV of the past is somehow ok, when previous generations argued much the same against it.

[ipython]

So... because we believe now that the moral panic around TV was unfounded, that directly implies there could be no concerns about the impact of consuming large amounts of algorithmically generated "junk content" by young developing brains?

Then, if that's the case, put your kids where your mouth is, go buck wild and sit your kids in front of CoComelon all day.

[garciasn]

Let’s talk in 70y.

[rwyinuse]

TV of the past is not okay, especially not in excessive amounts. But I too have noticed that shows from that era tend to be less fast-paced than those of today, so it's probably less harmful.