Kidspot Parenting

No. Peppa Pig does NOT cause autism

Nina Young |

"The study says the risk of autism increases 56 percent when a child watches Peppa Pig for 30 minutes." NOPE. NOT TRUE.

No. Peppa Pig does NOT cause autism


Just give me a minute, I have to do  some disappointed sighing before I can continue.


Come on guys... Really? Picture: Morning News USA


The above is a screenshot of one of the articles circulating today about our favourite cartoon pig.  Morning News USA and other outlets are running the story with claims that a Harvard study has shown that watching Peppa Pig increases a child's chance of developing autism.

According to various reports (that pop up every few years) this is what the Harvard study found: Marc Wildemberg, an epidemiologist who was the lead researcher said: “children exposed to at least 30 minutes a day of the show have a 56% higher probability of developing autism.”

Wait... What?

So, that sounds frightening, but also a little far fetched right? Yeah, that's because it's completely and utterly not true.  As website Medium pointed out  earlier this year, a google search of "Marc Wildembeg" shows no one associated with Harvard by that name, nor does it find an epidemiologist. The study with the insane claims also cannot be found anywhere. I actually attempted to get an expert on Autism to comment on this hoax, but they said it was actually TOO RIDICULOUS to warrant an expert's time.  I agree.

Come on, we can do better.

This is not the first time this hoax has surfaced, and it probably won't be the last. It seems like every day a new "autism panic" story emerges. This doesn't help anyone. Obviously, autism can be a bit frightening for parents because no one really knows what causes it or why. But we need to stop treating it like the modern day boogey man. We can't continue to act like a child being diagnosed on the autism spectrum is the worst thing that can happen. Can you imagine how that attitude affects parents of children living with ASD or even the children themselves? A little acceptance and education would do us all the world of good.

Think before sharing

This is a good lesson to us all to take two minutes to research something before sharing it blindly. If only because you look like a bit silly when the link you've shared is proven wrong within two minutes of posting it to Facebook. Us parents spend enough time feeling guilty and worried about every decision we make. Don't take Peppa away from us too.