In the 90s, one kid did something stupid "because of" a TV show and they pulled the episode. I sneer quote that because it's highly unlikely the kid was acting out B&B.
Now, we've got tens of thousands of kids, hell, grown-ups even, routinely doing self-destructive stupid shit because of TV shows, and what happens? Everyone gushes about how great it is for a cartoon about ponies to have such a devoted fanbase, and Friendship is Magic gets another season.