Another one of those “viral parenting” videos is making headlines, and honestly, it’s time to take a step back and think about this. You know the drill: a parent decides their child needs discipline, crafts a dramatic scenario, films the child in distress during the punishment, and then uploads it to YouTube. This latest video features a dad making his 11 or 12-year-old son destroy his gaming console with a sledgehammer. It’s titled, “Excellent Parenting: Dad Makes Son Destroy Xbox for Poor Grades!” The father repeatedly tells his son he’s had “three weeks” to improve his school performance, while the child is heard saying, “It’s not my fault.” As the kid breaks down and sobs, the father pushes him to continue smashing the console.
While it’s not uncommon for parents to take away privileges when kids aren’t doing well in school, filming a child’s emotional breakdown over expensive equipment crosses a line. Even if a parent believes that destroying property will teach a lesson, why film it? The motivations behind sharing these moments are questionable: is it to humiliate the child or to gain viral fame?
Sure, kids need to stay on top of their grades, and they shouldn’t have access to luxuries like gaming systems if they’re underperforming. But have they received adequate support, like tutoring? Just because a parent feels frustrated doesn’t mean they should resort to drastic measures. Dr. Sarah Thompson, a psychologist and parenting advisor, points out that “It’s great that this dad is involved and wants to set limits, but three weeks isn’t enough time for a kid to turn things around academically.”
This video has racked up almost half a million views in just a week. Imagine the emotional toll on a young teen knowing all their friends have seen them cry over a gaming console. The potential for teasing and bullying is high, and that’s the real issue with these kinds of videos: they can lead to cyber-bullying, and it’s often the parent who initiates it.
There’s a big difference between enforcing a punishment and publicly humiliating your child online. If you’re recording your child’s punishment for YouTube, maybe it’s time to rethink your approach.
For more on navigating the challenges of parenting, check out this post on home insemination kits. If you’re considering your own journey into parenthood, resources like Make A Mom can provide great insights. Additionally, if you’re curious about what to expect during your first IUI, this guide from Parents is invaluable.
In summary, filming a child’s punishment and sharing it online is not just questionable parenting; it can lead to long-lasting emotional consequences for the child. Let’s focus on teaching lessons without the added humiliation.