How can parents deal with younger children exposed to profanity or crude humour in cartoons? 

Parenting Perspective 

Younger children often repeat words and phrases they hear without fully understanding their meaning. When they are exposed to cartoons that use profanity or crude humour, they may begin to mimic this language, thinking it is funny or normal. It is important for parents to address this quickly but gently, helping the child to unlearn these habits without turning the situation into a stressful power struggle. 

Address It Calmly and Clearly 

If you hear your child repeating crude language, it is important to correct it immediately, but without laughing or shaming them. You could say: ‘That word is not a respectful one, and we do not use it in our family.’ A calm and firm tone prevents the child from seeing the word as either a joke or an effective way to grab attention. 

Explain in Simple Terms 

Offer a simple, age-appropriate reason for the boundary. For example: ‘Some shows use unkind words to try and sound funny, but those words can hurt people’s feelings and do not make Allah happy.’ Keeping your explanations simple and linking them to core values helps a young child to understand why boundaries exist. 

Redirect Them Towards Better Content 

The most effective long-term solution is to replace the problematic cartoons with alternatives that are fun, clean, and respectful. Where possible, involve your child in choosing these new shows so that they feel empowered, not deprived. 

Reinforce Positive Language 

Make a special point of praising your child when you hear them using kind, polite, and respectful words. Over time, this positive reinforcement will make dignity in speech feel far more rewarding to them than repeating the crude humour they may have heard elsewhere. 

By handling the situation with a firmness that is wrapped in gentleness, parents can help their children to internalise the important lesson that our words carry value and should always be used to uplift, not to degrade. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam teaches that our speech is a direct reflection of our faith. Believers are consistently urged to guard their tongues from any kind of foul or harmful language. Even in moments of light-heartedness and humour, a sense of dignity in our language is expected. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Israa (17), Verses 53: 

‘ And inform My servants that they should speak in only the politest manner (when they speak to the extremists in disbelief); indeed, Satan is (always ready for) infusing anarchy between them, as indeed, Satan is the most visible enemy for mankind.‘ 

This verse reminds both parents and children that the words we choose must be selected with care, as they have the power to shape our hearts and our relationships for either good or bad. 

It is recorded in Jami Tirmidhi, 1977, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘The believer is not one who taunts, curses, speaks obscenities, or is foul.’ 

This teaching provides a clear outline of the kind of speech that is incompatible with the character of a true believer. Crude or vulgar humour has no place in the life of a Muslim. 

By explaining these values in a gentle and age-appropriate way, parents can help their younger children to understand that kindness and purity in speech are signs of strength and faith. Over time, they can learn that real humour and joy do not require crude words, but are found in respect, love, and lightness of heart.