zlacker

> But, what's the alternative?

Ban YouTube. Have only 1 movie/TV night.

Mandate books as primary entertainment.

Stock the home library with classic tales of heroism and adventure. Own an encyclopedia set.

Reject the brainshinker system and look to works of more enduring worth.

Videos should be thoughtful. If that's not possible in the family dynamic, shut it down.

>>pnatha+(OP)
People might downvote this but it’s what our family is doing. We barely watch any TV and do t spend a lot of time on screens. We have a lot of books and entertainment for my kids is primarily through reading physical books, sports, hanging out with friends in their backyard etc.

>>dyausp+Y3
I salute you for taking this approach. At least I know your kids are going to grow up well-rounded.

>>Glacie+x7
Not quite “well rounded” as they’ll miss a lot of cultural context from YouTube that all the others watch.

>>qwerty+zc
I think many people conflate popular and accessible media with essential culture.

>>dyausp+Y3
Why on earth would anyone downvote this? This has to be one of the most common viewpoints held on HN.

>>someot+Ee
Many people, when they say 'culture' in the context of kids, mean something that kids can discuss around a lunch table. If OP's kids don't watch youtube, they won't have this particular aspect of culture as an inroad to make friends.

>>qwerty+zc
Absolute nonsense. Even a few months difference in when children get sucked into the YouTube vortex means they have totally different understandings of creators, their content and the contemporary dramatics.

YouTube content, thanks to its short-lived nature, has become essentially useless as a shared 'cultural context' unless one is plugged in 24/7.

>>johnfn+1t
Like other humans, kids don't have universally aligned interest in media. Also, "missing out" can be good in many cases, depending on the content of said media.

>>someot+0O
Sure, but if YouTube makes up say 20% of culture, that's 20% of conversations they cannot participate in. I'd love to read any source that says that "missing out" on making friends is actually a good thing.

>>qwerty+zc
Cultural context with YouTube as the primary source? Are you smoking something? Give me some if so.