LOS ALAMITOS, CA – As an 18-year-old who loves and knows the deep history of “My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,” I can say with confidence that kids’ shows are no longer just for kids. Across social media, different generations have been raving about children’s shows such as “Bluey,” “Spongebob Squarepants,” “Arthur,” and more. But what is it about these shows that makes adults come back over and over again? 

What’s the appeal?

Although not every show garners a wide adult audience, the ones that do share a common theme: relatability. In order to teach kids meaningful lessons that they can take with them later in life, several children’s show episodes have simple yet deep messages that resonate with people of all ages.

For example, the “Arthur” episode “Mom and Dad have a Great Big Fight” tackles the idea of divorce and how scary the prospect of familial relationships changing can be for kids. The “Bluey” episode “Onesies” discusses the heartbreak that can come with infertility and helps children understand what it means to be infertile.

These children’s shows are already doing a great job of teaching children messages that are oftentimes stigmatized by the general public, but they go a step further by creating themes that benefit all ages. Personally, watching the heartwarming but also simplistic messages from “My Little Pony” when I was going through a tough period in my life helped remind me of those important lessons we learn as kids: You define your own worth, it’s important to be kind to everyone, laughter can be the best medicine, and so much more. All those messages may seem obvious, but as we get older, the stress of day-to-day life can make it easy to forget the morals we learned when we were young.

Along with having important messages, children’s shows are also lighthearted. A lot of adult shows are dark in subject matter, but shows for kids typically follow a fun format.

“In order to recharge and refresh my mind for the next day of inevitable crappiness, I have to watch something that is funny, cute, and doesn’t involve higher brain function,” said writer Tessa Andrews in a media.com article about the appeal of children’s shows.

Despite what some may think, children’s shows can also be hilarious. Children’s shows are written with the fact that parents are most likely watching with their children in mind. Because of that, episodes often include sexual innuendos or cultural references that fly over kids’ heads but that parents can laugh at.

“It is a kid’s show, but it’s meant for everyone,” said Los Al senior Keziah DeBie about her favorite show “Bluey.” “It develops a lot of complex themes such as loneliness and abandonment, and it really helps everyone to grow.”

The stigma behind children’s shows

Let’s face it, when you hear an adult tell you that they still watch “My Little Pony” or “Arthur” regularly, it’s hard not to feel a little weirded out. Several adults have claimed that only children should be watching kid’s shows. They think that children’s shows are immature or childish, and some even think that those who watch them are creepy. However, more adults watch kid’s shows than some may think. A Statista report from 2018 reported that over 60% of people who watch Cartoon Network are adults.

As a “My Little Pony” fan, I can’t ignore the controversy behind “brony” culture. Although oftentimes seen as a reference to middle-aged males who watch “My Little Pony” to get close to children, the term “brony” actually refers to any passionate fan of the show “My Little Pony.” There have certainly been a couple of scandals surrounding a select few self-identifying bronies, but this doesn’t mean the entire brony fanbase should be scrutinized under the same lenses.

Most bronies are just regular people, not pedophiles or groomers or people trying to relive their childhood. For example, popular YouTuber The Living Tombstone has been a “My Little Pony” fan for years and has even made several “My Little Pony” remixes. YouTuber Black Gryph0n, who recently made it to the semifinals of “America’s Got Talent” with his singing impressions, is also a hardcore brony. 

Luckily, the stigma surrounding adults watching children’s shows is starting to fade away. With the growing popularity of “Bluey,” more and more adults are starting to understand the appeal behind shows that are geared towards a young audience.

“Personally, I watch [“Bluey”] because it’s just seven minutes of happiness, and I think everyone deserves that,” De Bie said.

We shouldn’t be putting any show in a box. I love watching gory shows like “All of Us Are Dead” and “Umbrella Academy,” but I also love the sweet and simple lessons of “My Little Pony” and “Miraculous Ladybug.” The next time you hear someone talking about their love for a children’s show, consider watching it. You might learn more about yourself.