What would you change about modern society?
If I could change anything about modern society, I would eliminate the 15 second video clips that everyone is addicted to these days.
It started with YouTube.
My kids were watching innocent videos at first, videos of people playing video games, or kids opening toys. Then their choice of “entertainment” changed and I noticed a strong shift into horror. They were scared of it in the moment, but like thrill seekers with a taste, they wanted more, and the internet was only too happy to provide.
I immediately balked when I saw the content they were watching, but what could I do? The videos were in an algorithm playlist. Even if I deleted the profiles, removed the app, started with a fresh install and new profile, the horror would be back before I could even work up a spit.
I wasn’t alone either. Other parents, just as concerned as I was, we’re having the same issues. Videos played across entertainment platforms showing children screaming at their parents for taking away their screens or deleting accounts. Being locked into an account because of purchases that can’t be used accounts. Being forced to give kids access to adult accounts in order to keep playing or keep watching. The alternative was to link a credit card and hope your kids did t spend all your money on packs any given day.
I was fed up. I was fed up with the disrespect, the horror content, the nightmares, the lack of control that I felt in my home.
So, I banned YouTube. Completely and totally from our lives. I took away all tech from everyone in the house and we went on a detox for thirty days. It was tough, but we survived.
On the other side, it is much different now. The kids use YouTube for school, but not in the house. My husband occasionally uses it to find instructions on something, but that is all.
I still refuse to watch it at all. Any instructions I need have to be written, or I won’t take on a project. I live the motto “we are a no-YouTube household.” I made the rule, I set the example.
I miss it occasionally. I used to watch tutorials and enjoyed watching popping videos or craftsmen building things out of nothing. But I firmly believe in “do as I say, I’ll do as I do.” I try to keep my word, and on this, I’m doing pretty well.
Here’s the main difference. My kids don’t know who huggiewuggie is. They don’t know why people are obsessed with purge masks, and they like building things and playing with toys on their own now.
But they are still addicted. Netflix recently released a show where parents help kids act out video games in real life, mostly horror games. My kids were immediately sucked in. They say it’s “like they just can’t stop,” they have even begged me not to go back to a friends house that enjoys watching. YouTube and often watches horror shows because they don’t know how to not watch it.
They are addicted and they know it.
So, if I could change anything. I’d get rid of it. I’d save my kids. I’d save yours too. It might fix the whole generation. Heck, it might fix the species.
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