What do you consider bad TV for your kids? (1 Viewer)

[danielmclark]

I told my wife this before we had kids, and she thought I was kidding... but I've mostly stuck to it: as long as the kids use the words correctly and in the proper situation, I don't really care what words they use. They're 8 and 4 now, and they know most of the bad words, and if they slip and say one, I don't come down on them for it. I'm far, far more interested in why they said it - are they angry? are they upset? are they in trouble? - these are the things that need to be dealt with, not the words.

It stems from a situation I found myself in as a kid. I was in an argument with another kid and it was on the verge of blowing up into a physical fight. My mom walked in right as I called the kid an a.hole. Rather than deal with the impending fight and figure out how to get the two kids to work it out, she chewed me out for 10 minutes about vulgarity... right in front of that kid. You can guess how well that worked out for me.

So, no... as long as my kids know that certain language is verboten in certain situations (at school, in front of their grandparents, things like that), I don't really care what they say. I'm more interested in why they're saying it.

 

[Black Box]

I told my wife this before we had kids, and she thought I was kidding... but I've mostly stuck to it: as long as the kids use the words correctly and in the proper situation, I don't really care what words they use. They're 8 and 4 now, and they know most of the bad words, and if they slip and say one, I don't come down on them for it. I'm far, far more interested in why they said it - are they angry? are they upset? are they in trouble? - these are the things that need to be dealt with, not the words.

It stems from a situation I found myself in as a kid. I was in an argument with another kid and it was on the verge of blowing up into a physical fight. My mom walked in right as I called the kid an a.hole. Rather than deal with the impending fight and figure out how to get the two kids to work it out, she chewed me out for 10 minutes about vulgarity... right in front of that kid. You can guess how well that worked out for me.

So, no... as long as my kids know that certain language is verboten in certain situations (at school, in front of their grandparents, things like that), I don't really care what they say. I'm more interested in why they're saying it.

But why are they watching Caillou? Maybe they are starting to interact with other kids their age and are looking for guidance. Or maybe they have started daycare/school and are trying to figure out what that is all about. Or maybe they are wondering why this kid doesn't have any hair.

 

[Mr. Ected]

I despise SpongeBob. Luckily my kids have never been huge fans of this show. Bad news is now they love

In general, in the morning, I could leave the TV on Disney JR. and be happy. It's happy, fun, musical, learning shows. (I'd need to leave the room or I'd have all the damn songs stuck in my head all day!!)

One thing that bugs me are scary preview commercials, either for TV shows or movies. Do they need to be on during the day? I'd like some sort of ban on them before 8 pm so it doesn't scare the $%^&* out of little kids. After that, show whatever you want.

 

[Jules Winnfield]

Anytime an orchestra or jazz band plays on TV should be off limits to kids

 

[Rick James]

I guess I'm crazy for thinking violence is uglier than expressing affection. My bad.

Whatever dude. Not all television/movie sex (or sexual acts) is the same. Miley Cyrus twerking at the VMAs is hardly expressing affection. I know adults who thought it was vulgar and didn't want to watch that themselves. You think it's crazy that someone doesn't want their 4-year-old to see that?

 

[Leroy Hoard]

For some strange reason I'd rather my kid see Miley Cyrus twerking than see somebody get their brains blown out.

But I guess that's just me.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Anytime an orchestra or jazz band plays on TV should be off limits to kids

True, kids are not ready for that kind of thing. Start them off with rap & metal videos and then progress on from there.

 

[Rick James]

For some strange reason I'd rather my kid see Miley Cyrus twerking than see somebody get their brains blown out.

But I guess that's just me.

Why are you watching that in front of your kid in the first place? This whole discussion is silly. There are too many variables at play. "Violence" could be watching somebody get their brains blown out, OR watching a boxing match or a cable cop show. "Sex" could be actual sex, implied sex, provocative clothing, etc.

to be clear, I don't want my kid watching any of that stuff.

 

[Jules Winnfield]

Anytime an orchestra or jazz band plays on TV should be off limits to kids

True, kids are not ready for that kind of thing. Start them off with rap & metal videos and then progress on from there.

I just have a problem with all the sax and violins that is on TV these days

 

[FUBAR]

Snuff films.

are you for or against?

 

[FUBAR]

For some strange reason I'd rather my kid see Miley Cyrus twerking than see somebody get their brains blown out.

But I guess that's just me.

Why are you watching that in front of your kid in the first place? This whole discussion is silly. There are too many variables at play. "Violence" could be watching somebody get their brains blown out, OR watching a boxing match or a cable cop show. "Sex" could be actual sex, implied sex, provocative clothing, etc.

to be clear, I don't want my kid watching any of that stuff.

The problem with the Cyrus crap is it was sort of unexpected. We didn't watch it because we have no interest in just about any awards show. But many friends watched it with their kids. The same parents won't let their kids watch Game of Thrones or other similar shows.

Bottom line for me is if the sex/violence/language is in an expected setting, it's fine. When it's at halftime of a Super Bowl or during an awards show, that's a problem.

 

[Apple Jack]

I guess I'm crazy for thinking violence is uglier than expressing affection. My bad.

Whatever dude. Not all television/movie sex (or sexual acts) is the same. Miley Cyrus twerking at the VMAs is hardly expressing affection. I know adults who thought it was vulgar and didn't want to watch that themselves. You think it's crazy that someone doesn't want their 4-year-old to see that?

I'm sure your comments are relevant to something somebody said, but it certainly is not me.

 

[danielmclark]

For some strange reason I'd rather my kid see Miley Cyrus twerking than see somebody get their brains blown out.

But I guess that's just me.

Why are you watching that in front of your kid in the first place? This whole discussion is silly. There are too many variables at play. "Violence" could be watching somebody get their brains blown out, OR watching a boxing match or a cable cop show. "Sex" could be actual sex, implied sex, provocative clothing, etc.

to be clear, I don't want my kid watching any of that stuff.

The problem with the Cyrus crap is it was sort of unexpected. We didn't watch it because we have no interest in just about any awards show. But many friends watched it with their kids. The same parents won't let their kids watch Game of Thrones or other similar shows.

Bottom line for me is if the sex/violence/language is in an expected setting, it's fine. When it's at halftime of a Super Bowl or during an awards show, that's a problem.

Well, sort of. I mean, it's been expected at half time of the Super Bowl for quite a number of years now. When Beyonce was announced as a performer, did anyone really think there wouldn't be suggestive or sexual routines or costumes? And awards shows are even worse. There hasn't been a music awards show without some kind of "scandal" of a sexual nature in over 30 years. I agree with you that when it's an expected setting, it's fine. I just think that the definition of "expected setting" might be wider than you're giving it credit for.

 

[Politician Spock]

None of the above. The worst TV for kids is Caillou. Nothing else comes close.

The people who created that show are the reason why Hell exists.

 

[17seconds]

None of the above. The worst TV for kids is Caillou. Nothing else comes close.

I guess you haven't seen Barney

I have, indeed. And it doesn't even come in second. The three worst children's shows, top to bottom are Caillou, The Doodlebops, then Barney & Friends. God help you if you're ever forced to watch all three in one sitting, because you might end up needing counseling over in the suicide thread.

The worst thing about Caillou is it teaches them to whine constantly. Caillou is a whiny #####.

My kids are almost 7 and 5 and I recently blocked Cartoon Network because Adventure Time is a bit much and they love it. That would be the tamest thing I've banned. I try to keep them on PBS Kids as much as possible.

 

[Balance]

I'm not worried about any of it. I'm involved enough to be a stronger influence than anything they see on a tv.

I guess there will be a line somewhere but I haven't found it yet.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Violence is what bothers me the most for younger viewers. If they see a body part naked so be it but watching someone's head blown off, watching someone tortured, those are disturbing images as well as something like a rape scene.

Language, the kids in school cuss worse than some of our men in Navy uniforms so I don't care much about that either.

I think the violence level is where I get most frustrated with films. Kids think taking lives is a joke and then they act on it.

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

"Big Bang Theory". I don't want my kids exposed to terrible writing.

 

[tikigods]

I guess I'm crazy for thinking violence is uglier than expressing affection. My bad.

Whatever dude. Not all television/movie sex (or sexual acts) is the same. Miley Cyrus twerking at the VMAs is hardly expressing affection. I know adults who thought it was vulgar and didn't want to watch that themselves. You think it's crazy that someone doesn't want their 4-year-old to see that?

 

[Ilov80s]

I guess I'm crazy for thinking violence is uglier than expressing affection. My bad.

Whatever dude. Not all television/movie sex (or sexual acts) is the same. Miley Cyrus twerking at the VMAs is hardly expressing affection. I know adults who thought it was vulgar and didn't want to watch that themselves. You think it's crazy that someone doesn't want their 4-year-old to see that?

Agreed, not all violence or profanity is the same either.

 

[DSP]

I dont have kids but if I did I think at around 7 years old I wouldnt consider anything off limits. I plan to educate my childten about the world and history and there is nothing in media that can come close to the horrors of reality. I am not going to shelter and lie to my children

 

[tikigods]

I guess I'm crazy for thinking violence is uglier than expressing affection. My bad.

Whatever dude. Not all television/movie sex (or sexual acts) is the same. Miley Cyrus twerking at the VMAs is hardly expressing affection. I know adults who thought it was vulgar and didn't want to watch that themselves. You think it's crazy that someone doesn't want their 4-year-old to see that?

Agreed, not all violence or profanity is the same either.

True. I don't think watching Prison Break episodes on Netflix in front of a two year old is going to do him irreparable harm.

 

[AK83NY]

Family comedies that have no decent morals and are depicted as they hate each other. My favorite show is Married with Children but I wouldn't show it to my kids because they would think its acceptable to be mean to each other.

 

[pats3in4]

If a picture says a thousand words, then dozens per second say a whole lot more...

Violence is tops on my list by far. My kids are young (9, 6 and 3) and violent images truly do bother them, especially people bleeding. Doesn't matter how many times I tell them it's fake, they are actors, etc. The images stick and they have nightmares over them.

Sex is second only because they don't need to growing up too fast. Although my oldest is soon to get "the talk", so at least the "what are they doing?" aspect will go away. I'm not looking forward to then having to explain, "Don't treat sex as casually as some of these characters do," but that's part of the job, I guess.

Language is third. This one is easy to deal with. Kids hear a bad word, I tell them that's not nice to say, they laugh for having heard "adult" taboo words and that's usually the end of it.

 

[DSP]

If a picture says a thousand words, then dozens per second say a whole lot more...

Violence is tops on my list by far. My kids are young (9, 6 and 3) and violent images truly do bother them, especially people bleeding. Doesn't matter how many times I tell them it's fake, they are actors, etc. The images stick and they have nightmares over them.

Sex is second only because they don't need to growing up too fast. Although my oldest is soon to get "the talk", so at least the "what are they doing?" aspect will go away. I'm not looking forward to then having to explain, "Don't treat sex as casually as some of these characters do," but that's part of the job, I guess.

Language is third. This one is easy to deal with. Kids hear a bad word, I tell them that's not nice to say, they laugh for having heard "adult" taboo words and that's usually the end of it.

The talk at 9?

 

[pats3in4]

If a picture says a thousand words, then dozens per second say a whole lot more...

Violence is tops on my list by far. My kids are young (9, 6 and 3) and violent images truly do bother them, especially people bleeding. Doesn't matter how many times I tell them it's fake, they are actors, etc. The images stick and they have nightmares over them.

Sex is second only because they don't need to growing up too fast. Although my oldest is soon to get "the talk", so at least the "what are they doing?" aspect will go away. I'm not looking forward to then having to explain, "Don't treat sex as casually as some of these characters do," but that's part of the job, I guess.

Language is third. This one is easy to deal with. Kids hear a bad word, I tell them that's not nice to say, they laugh for having heard "adult" taboo words and that's usually the end of it.

The talk at 9?

I was about 9 when I heard from a friend "how babies were made" (his quote). Most of my friends at that age also learned about reproduction informally through friends and classmates. I'm sure like I did, they all went home and confirmed it with their parents whom they caught off guard with such questions.

In 5th grade (age 10), the schools offer the sex ed intro (also the "your body is soon to be going through changes" lesson). The same was true for when I was in 5th grade 30+ years ago.

 

[AK83NY]

I think that TV-PG and TV-14 has become less distinguishable and that might be a problem. I know TV-14 is for adult themes and blood. Still, it needs a better definition.

 

[Mohawk]

A couple points:

Football is a violent act. But I do love football.

Our society has a love/hate thing with violence.

But overall, I would much rather my kids see sexual lovemaking than violence.

Kids seeing ######s and penises at play disturbs me far less than seeing brains and blood spattered and limbs flying.

 

[tikigods]

I'm guessing Prison Break for a 2 year old is acceptable.

 

[McGarnicle]

When your kids are ready to learn about sex, I strongly recommend X-Art. Very erotic and tasteful, unlike a lot of the smut you find online.

 

[17seconds]

I dont have kids but if I did I think at around 7 years old I wouldnt consider anything off limits. I plan to educate my childten about the world and history and there is nothing in media that can come close to the horrors of reality. I am not going to shelter and lie to my children

Yeah, you don't have kids

That's not the main reason to keep them from watching. They need to be mature enough to process it correctly. For example, an immature kid can turn into a bully if all he watches are violent action movies.

 

[St. Louis Bob]

When your kids are ready to learn about sex, I strongly recommend X-Art. Very erotic and tasteful, unlike a lot of the smut you find online.

That one 3 way is awesome.

 

[DSP]

I dont have kids but if I did I think at around 7 years old I wouldnt consider anything off limits. I plan to educate my childten about the world and history and there is nothing in media that can come close to the horrors of reality. I am not going to shelter and lie to my children

Yeah, you don't have kids

That's not the main reason to keep them from watching. They need to be mature enough to process it correctly. For example, an immature kid can turn into a bully if all he watches are violent action movies.

Im sure my child would know the difference between heros and villians

And if I catch him bullying he will have to pay the piper

 

[tikigods]

Any SuperBowl that Peyton Manning plays in.

 

[cstu]

None of the above. The worst TV for kids is Caillou. Nothing else comes close.

I guess you haven't seen Barney

I have, indeed. And it doesn't even come in second. The three worst children's shows, top to bottom are Caillou, The Doodlebops, then Barney & Friends. God help you if you're ever forced to watch all three in one sitting, because you might end up needing counseling over in the suicide thread.

The worst thing about Caillou is it teaches them to whine constantly. Caillou is a whiny #####.

at kids needing to be taught to whine.

 

[NutterButter]

Kids are on a Power Rangers kick at the moment. Can we add that to the list of options?

 

[Politician Spock]

None of the above. The worst TV for kids is Caillou. Nothing else comes close.

I guess you haven't seen Barney

I have, indeed. And it doesn't even come in second. The three worst children's shows, top to bottom are Caillou, The Doodlebops, then Barney & Friends. God help you if you're ever forced to watch all three in one sitting, because you might end up needing counseling over in the suicide thread.

The worst thing about Caillou is it teaches them to whine constantly. Caillou is a whiny #####.

at kids needing to be taught to whine.

Very accurate video review of Caillou

 

[Black Box]

We flipped the script on Caillou. Started pointing out when he was being whiny and that he was whiny a lot.

The oldest started picking up on it and would comment on his whiny-ness, and now they don't seem to even want to watch it anymore.

Yes, I had to actually watch Caillou to pull this one off. I'm expecting my parenting trophy to come in the mail any day now.