Speaking out to defend Spongebob Squarepants

Many articles have been recently published on the subject of whether Spongebob Squarepants has a bad influence on kids’ mental development, specifically their attention, problem solving and critical thinking skills. As a person who grew up watching and worshipping Spongebob, I believe that none of this is true.

It is thought that since the show is fast-paced, with so many things happening simultaneously, the mind of a person watching gets lost and is not able to pick up the positive messages. “There is so much stuff that’s hard to assimilate, it might be disrupting the child’s thinking process, so they may not be able to grasp the messages that are educational,” Dr. Angeline S. Lillard, professor of psychology at the University of Virginia, says. Conversely, I believe that having so many things going on simultaneously is beneficial. The more shots you take on goal, the more shots will go in. This idea applies to Spongebob. The more ideas and messages the show throws at the watcher, the more will stick in his/her mind.

People also think that the messages in Spongebob are not positive in the first place. This assertion is absurd. For example, in season 1, episode 2B, “Ripped Pants,” Spongebob Squarepants and some friends sing a song about how he changes things about himself to try to impress someone else, but realizes in the end that he should have just been himself and not tried to go along with what everybody else was doing. This is, arguably, the most important message of all, especially among today’s teenagers, who are so pressured to be like everyone else.

There are hundreds, if not thousands of positive messages in the show that I remember and recount all the time in high school. For instance, when I begin to think that school does not matter, and I will be fine without trying to succeed in school, I remember the time when Squidward Tentacles thought the same thing and ended up becoming a pathetic man, unrespected, living in a cardboard box, with no motivation. Yes, that is a harsh ending, but that’s why the message hits so hard.

Whenever I do not put my garbage in a trashcan, I remember the time when Patrick Star littered and ended up causing a terrible epidemic in the town. Whenever I am greedy, I remember the time Mr. Krabs tried to monopolize the fast food business and hoard all his money and ended up losing everything he ever loved.

I enjoyed Spongebob growing up and still appreciate it today, yet I succeed in school. I have never had significant problems with attention, problem solving, or critical thinking. I have cousins whose parents do not allow them to enjoy Spongebob, and I believe this deprives a child of an amazingly fun TV show with important educational and life morals.

(AJ Shaheen is a freshman at Petaluma High School. In his free time, he likes to play soccer and eat food. AJ aspires to be the next Martha Stewart.)