Once again, a punishment video is making waves across the internet. You may have seen this trend where parents decide their kid needs a little discipline, orchestrate a dramatic scene, capture their child’s tears on camera, and upload it for the world to see on YouTube. But it raises a crucial question: is this clever parenting or just plain wrong?
The latest clip features a father compelling his 11 or 12-year-old son to smash his beloved gaming console with a sledgehammer. The video, titled “Responsible Parenting: Dad Forces Son to Destroy His Xbox for Poor Grades!” shows the father insisting that his son has had “three weeks” to improve academically. Meanwhile, the son can be heard protesting, “It’s not my fault,” as he reluctantly demolishes one console and begins to cry before moving on to the next. The father’s instructions are harsh: “Pick up the sledgehammer and smash it.”
While taking away privileges for poor school performance isn’t a novel approach, filming your child’s emotional breakdown while destroying expensive equipment? That’s a no-go. Even if a parent feels the need to teach a lesson through destruction, why broadcast it? The motives behind such actions seem questionable: either to humiliate the child or to chase internet fame. Both are concerning.
Yes, it’s vital for kids to stay on top of their studies, and they shouldn’t enjoy luxury items like gaming consoles if they aren’t performing. But has this child received extra help, like tutoring? Holding a child accountable for three weeks of effort and then resorting to such drastic measures feels excessive. Dr. Angela Rivers, a child psychologist and parenting expert, points out, “It’s admirable that this dad is involved and sets limits, but three weeks isn’t sufficient for significant academic improvement.”
The video has already racked up nearly half a million views in just a week. Imagine the embarrassment for a young teen who knows all of their friends are watching them cry over a video game console. This could lead to teasing that lasts for years. That’s the real issue with these viral clips: they amount to cyberbullying, and it’s being perpetrated by none other than the parent.
Following through with necessary consequences is one thing, but shaming your child on YouTube is quite another. If you’re filming your child’s punishment for public consumption, you might want to rethink your parenting strategy.
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In summary, while it’s important to instill responsibility in children, using humiliation as a teaching tool is not the answer. Let’s aim for discipline that fosters growth rather than shame.