The Dark Side of Masha and the Bear: A Parent's Honest Review

summarizeEditor's Summary

I'll be the first to admit it - my kid was hooked on Masha and the Bear from the age of 2.5. At first, it was cute, but as he got older, he watched it nonstop, just like his cousin. My husband and I had no idea about the potential risks back then. It wasn't until my kid was around six years old that we started researching the issue, talking to psychologists, and that's when we realized this show isn't as harmless as it seems. We noticed a clear link between watching it and changes in my kid's behavior, as well as his cousin's. As a parent, it's alarming to see your child mimic Masha's behavior, which is basically a perfect example of a child with ADHD. The show's fast-paced cuts and lack of consequences for Masha's actions are a recipe for disaster. To be honest, it's a bit scary to think about what we were exposing our kids to. But we're not just talking about any show - we're talking about one that's popular, that's everywhere, and that's being watched by millions of kids around the world.

settingsSpecifications

KararKötü

Kalite4/10

IhtimalKazalar9/10

MashaInNitelikleri2/10

It wasn't until my kid was around six years old that we started researching the issue, talking to psychologists, and that's when we realized this show isn't as harmless as it seems. We noticed a clear link between watching it and changes in my kid's behavior, as well as his cousin's.

What we don't like about this show.

1) The fast-paced cuts.

The extremely fast cuts in this show are bad for young kids. Their brains can't handle it, and experts agree. The kid becomes nervous, cranky, and disobedient.

2) Masha's behavior.

Masha is a perfect example of a child with ADHD. She's completely uncontrollable and can't calm down. She bullies the bear, who's basically her father figure. He's kind and gentle, but Masha disregards him and does what she wants. Kids take her behavior as an example, especially towards adults, which we've seen firsthand with my kid and his cousin.

Additionally, Masha often shows a lack of empathy. The example that stands out is when she made a pig her 'doll' and then bullied it mercilessly.

Here are some images that illustrate the issue:

Or how she tormented the wolves, to the point where they even ran away from her.

I've got to say, even when she seemed to be trying to feed everyone oatmeal, which ended up being way too much, she'd force-feed the animals to the point where it looked like they were about to burst. Masha's got some pretty weird ideas about taking care of things, and it's clear she'd rather get rid of the excess oatmeal than worry about the animals getting enough to eat.

And don't even get me started on how she'd let the bear sleep for the whole night, only to disturb it constantly with her complaints about the pillow or the temperature. She'd turn the whole bedroom into a disco with her 'bye-bye' song, and the kids would learn that it's okay to stay up all night and cause chaos, as long as they're having fun. My son took this to heart, and it wasn't uncommon for him to wake me up in the middle of the night, even when I was exhausted.

And, of course, her behavior is eerily similar to that of someone with ADHD - she's constantly on the go, making a racket, getting into mischief, having tantrums, refusing to listen, screaming, climbing up things she shouldn't, and it's all just non-stop.

I've seen it time and time again with my own kids and their friends - watching a kid's behavior change instantly after watching something. I used to think it was just individual, but it's a common pattern I've observed with multiple kids.

My kid even got into trouble with a panda figurine, which was a real handful.

The bear even got hurt a few times because of her behavior - once it got hit on the head, and another time it had to walk around with a cast.

She even ruined her friend's chances of building a relationship with a bear, constantly showing up and ruining their dates - it's really sad, and it's a common behavior in many kids.

When she was about six months away from her birthday, she started making a huge list of gifts and wouldn't let anyone else have any peace.

When she played doctor, she almost over-medicated everyone. To this day, I still hear her saying, 'Let's get you some more medicine!'

I've seen Masha's love for animals turn into teasing a bear in this show. For instance, she'd pick up a dove and demand that it be fed in a commanding tone. The bear would carefully coax the dove out of the house using crumbs, but Masha would just bring it back in a mocking way. Then she'd start demanding that Mishka the dove entertain her, jump on the bed screaming 'kurly-kurly', break a vase, and not let the bear have a peaceful cup of tea or some quiet reading time.

There are countless examples like this.

What else does the show show us?

It also shows that Masha often gets away with her misbehavior, or if she's punished, it's always mild and not taken seriously. She knows she can get away with it, so she just keeps pushing the limits.

I've noticed Masha is super soft on Mishka - she often gets her way, dances to her tune, and doesn't set boundaries.

It's pretty clear that Mishka needs his space, loves reading in quiet, sipping tea, eating, or just doing his own thing. I totally get that.

Masha doesn't even consider Mishka's feelings, and the kids are just mimicking her, disregarding the boundaries of adults.

Some confusing plot points.

Masha has a twin sister who's smart and lives in the city. That raises a bunch of questions: why does Masha live in the woods with her family if she has a sister? Why did they get rid of her sister, but kept Masha? Especially since Masha lives in the woods all year round, not just during the summer. If Masha didn't have any family, I'd just write it off as a fairy tale, but with the sister in the picture, it's all very strange.

Also, the trains in the show are always empty except for the main characters - that's just weird.

Pluses.

One thing that stood out to me was the animation - it's pretty good, and the way they depict nature is really nice. The character of Masha is cute, and there are some adorable animals in the show.

There are some genuinely sweet moments in the show, but they're few and far between.

The Verdict.

I've got to say, this show has a really negative impact on kids. It promotes false morals and sets a bad example. Masha's emotional range is super limited, almost like she's got some kind of psychopathy going on. She's got zero empathy, and when she does show it, it's usually when it suits her.

What really gets me is that Masha's character is basically a depiction of a psychologically unhealthy kid with a sadistic streak, and they're showing that as normal behavior. That's not okay.

I wish I'd never let my kid watch this show. Now that he's 7, he even agrees with a lot of what I've written here. I wouldn't recommend this show to anyone.

live_helpFeatured FAQ

Is Masha and the Bear a good show for young kids?

While the show's animation and music are engaging, its fast-paced cuts and lack of consequences for Masha's actions can be overwhelming for young kids. Parents should be cautious and monitor their child's behavior after watching the show.

What's wrong with Masha's behavior in the show?

Masha's behavior is a perfect example of a child with ADHD, and it's alarming to see kids mimic her actions. Her lack of consequences for her actions can be frustrating to watch and may encourage kids to behave in a similar way.

Is the show's animation good?

Yes, the animation is indeed beautiful, with vibrant colors and engaging backgrounds. The bear is a lovable character, always trying to calm Masha down.

What's the deal with the show's fast-paced cuts?

The show's fast-paced cuts can be overwhelming for young kids, causing them to become nervous and cranky. Experts agree that this type of editing can be bad for young kids' brains.

Is the show good for kids' behavior?

No, the show's themes and Masha's behavior can be confusing and unclear at times, and may encourage kids to behave in a similar way.

Can I trust the show's creators?

While the show's creators may have good intentions, the show's content and pacing can be concerning for parents. It's up to individual parents to decide whether the show is suitable for their child.

What's the deal with the show's pace?

The show's pace can be too fast for young kids to follow, and may cause them to become overwhelmed and cranky.

Is the show's music good?

Yes, the music is catchy and will stick in your head. However, it's not enough to make up for the show's other concerns.

check_circlePros

•The animation is indeed beautiful, with vibrant colors and engaging backgrounds.
•The bear is a lovable character, always trying to calm Masha down.
•Some of the animal characters are cute and well-designed.
•The show's graphics are decent, with some nice visual effects.
•The music is catchy and will stick in your head.
•The show's premise is simple and easy to follow.
•The show's style is consistent, with a clear visual identity.
•The show's pacing can be engaging, with some fun and exciting moments.

cancelCons

•The show's fast-paced cuts can be overwhelming for young kids, causing them to become nervous and cranky.
•Masha's behavior is a perfect example of a child with ADHD, and it's alarming to see kids mimic her actions.
•The bear is often portrayed as a pushover, which can be frustrating to watch.
•Masha's lack of consequences for her actions is a major concern for parents.
•The show's themes can be confusing and unclear at times.
•The show's pace can be too fast for young kids to follow.
•The show's content can be a bit too intense for younger kids.
•The show's lack of educational value is a concern for parents.