In February 2011, the BBC's Strategy for Children's Audio axed all licence-funded radio for the under-sevens and replaced it with 15 minute podcasts to promote and complement the CBeebies TV brands. By way of excuse, executives postulate that children today may no longer be able to listen without visual stimulation: apparently oblivious of their culpability in such an alarming surmise.
Parents protest that the new regime disadvantages homes without internet access and requires extra adult supervision, technology and knowhow compared to a pre-set push-button radio that a very young child can operate. Concern is also expressed about increased reliance on screen and keyboard activity so often blamed for causing language delay, obesity and attention disorders.
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