Well, for one, knowledge plays a big part in that. I highly doubt you would want a four year old child to watch Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Then there is interest. When you were four you probably wanted to watch My Little Pony or Cars. Now, you most likely want to watch an anime or two. Then there are the kids who think they have to be cool by watching what everyone else watches at their age.
This line could be seen as examples of sensory imaginary. More precisely it is connected to smell because of the potato and sight because of how this person is found "sitting, surrounded.." it might be said that the combination of these two images could give the reader a vision of what the writer is trying to convey.
The baker donated a large box of bread to the fundraiser