A recent analysis suggests that the increasing pace of children's media, including television shows and apps, may be a significant factor in how children process information and develop understanding. This rapid pace is considered a design feature that could be as consequential as content quality.
Programmes and apps, even those with rich educational content, may move too quickly for lessons to fully settle. For example, in the animated series Ask the StoryBots, explanations unfold through rapid jokes, songs, and visual shifts, potentially overwhelming a child before an idea can be absorbed.
When media moves at an accelerated rate, it may collapse layers of experience, making it difficult for children to grasp concepts like anticipation in a joke or the act of repair after an argument. Developing empathy in early years requires time for a child to notice and understand another person's feelings, which fast-paced media may not allow.
This speed is largely attributed to the 'attention economy', which influences media design to be faster, louder, and brighter to retain viewers. This logic has introduced features aimed at shortening time, such as 'like' buttons and quick summaries, potentially steering the viewer rather than allowing for reflection.