Parents were warned about the influence of anime on children by an email sent to them by the principal of a middle school in the state of Texas.
Melanie Arias, the principle of Tuloso-Midway Middle School, has sent out emails to parents informing them of the dangers of anime viewing. According to her, anime is a “form of graphic animation that is accessible to anybody through social media.” The following was written in the email:
“We have found that some pupils are being influenced by anime, a kind of graphic animation that is easily accessible to everybody through social media,” says the professor. Please be careful of what your children may be viewing on their devices while they are connected to the internet. At Tuloso-Midway Middle School, we encourage students to be healthy and safe. “We strive to provide our pupils with positive experiences that encourage them to make good decisions,” says the school.
Parents received this email on November 11th, with no further explanation as to why this type of email was sent to them in the first place. The “darker side” of the anime genre may have been seen by the principal, or some students may have been watching anime during their school time, which anime fans can speculate on based on their own experiences. This email was then shared with a large number of Facebook groups via a screenshot.
Is anime a negative influence on children’s development? To be honest, it all depends on the type of anime series you’re viewing. Anime as an entertainment medium has grown tremendously in recent years. It was barely noticeable five years ago. “Highschool dxd” and “Prison School” are two anime series that are easily accessible to anyone, despite the fact that they are not intended for middle school students. The principal of a middle school, for example, is understandably concerned about the negative influence that anime may have on young children.
