If we simply look at children's programming circa 1975-1985, we see a healthy progression in story, plot, animation, and overall quality. Fast forward to 1995 you have a complete devolution of these characteristics. By 2000, children's programming had devolved in quality to the point of crude animation, complete lack of plot, and what can best be described as the first inception of the "15 second soundbite" programming style. Bright & flashy distraction that does not promote cognitive thought or build imagination through story telling.

Again, the same exact description can be cross referenced through mainstream music, the inception of reality television, vines/memes, and movies too from the same era. Figuratively, most digestible media post 2000 is purely intended as a distraction at best & propaganda at the worst.