I made a rule that if the show/cartoon showed a disrespect for parents, a liberal message like recycling is like a religion (toots and puddle), or glorifies stupid people over intelligent people then it was not allowed in the house. Whatever happened to cool shows like Scooby Doo or Speed Racer?
We used to do only recorded programing; not straight TV.
I let my son when he was a toddler watch sesame street in the morning while I did some chores. I came in to turn off the TV and the next PBS program was on. It was an enviornmentalist screech showing men clubbing baby seals. I look at my son sitting on the couch with his blanket and his eyes are as big as saucers and he’s crying.
After that, Sesame Street was shown previewed and pre-recorded, too. Actually, my kids did not watch TV much. They were too busy making major messes everywhere.