Peppa Pig, a wildly popular English cartoon used to introduce children the English language, teaches children not just language and accent but also bad behavior.

Peppa Pig, first released in 2004, is an animated series known for its five-minute episodes and simple plotlines. Although cultural differences on the use of English words are prevalent ion its episodes, it does not hinder its success in American viewers with a franchise that includes toys, pajamas and theme parks of whopping $1.7 billion in retail sales in 2022.

The show was the fourth most in-demand children series worldwide in 2023 according to Parrot Analytics, an entertainment consulting firm.

Years ago, parents sang Peppa’s praises on Common Sense Media, a nonprofit website offering reviews on television and movies. In recent months however, negative comments have rolled in, such as, “They disrespect the dad every episode” or “The show teaches kids that crying, being mean and bossy, and even fat shaming is okay.”

Ayesha Khaliq, a 36-year old content creator and mom in Yorkshire, believes “Peppa Pig” hasn’t kept pace with the times, especially for millennial parents trying to raise socially sensitive kids.

Hasbro, the American toy giant that owns the Peppa empire, is aware of the backlash. “Peppa has natural, authentic reactions to the world, and has the ability to express how she feels,” says Esra Cafer, Hasbro’s senior vice president of the franchise. “Some parents may see it as too direct or rude. We see it as self-assertive and self-confident.”

Peppa is hardly the first kid’s TV character to annoy parents, says Polly Conway, head of TV and streaming at Common Sense Media. Elmo saw haters when he joined “Sesame Street.” SpongeBob had critics after his 1999 debut. “Peppa is a little spicy,” says Conway. “She can be bratty and not treat her brother with kindness. But she is indicative of what a 4-year-old is like. They sometimes say terrible things to their grandparents.”

(PHOTO: Doctor Gadget News, 17.03.2022)