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AIBU?

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AIBU to think YouTube videos in Year 3 lessons are inappropriate?

61 replies

SlB09 · 22/05/2026 20:00

Son is in yr3 at a v good state primary school.l. just want a sense check as they seem to watch videos on YouTube as part of normal schooling. Is this the norm?!!! So today they got a treat of a 'satisfying video' basically one of those shite asmr type things that kids like. But he's mentioned this a few times and I'm getting to the point where I feel like speaking to the head. We get all these emails from school around internet use including you tube etc and it seems hipocritical that they then use it as part of the normal day!!

Aibu to think this is just a bit crap? Or is it pretty normal now?

OP posts:
movinghomeadvice · 22/05/2026 20:16

This is a tricky one OP. I’m a teacher. YouTube has the most amazing range of short, educational videos that can really enhance a unit of work and engage students. However, it’s also full of so much slop, so videos need to be properly vetted, and linked to an educational outcome.

A 2-min ‘brain break’ dance, or Line Riders video to give students a break between lessons or to bring down the temperature a little bit is fine. The issue is when it’s used too often. Ive definitely seen it used as a crutch to keep students quiet and in their seats.

I’m becoming more anti-screen (for students and teachers alike) the longer I teach.

WildMauveReader · 22/05/2026 20:15

Auroraloves · 22/05/2026 20:11

There are a lot of educational videos on YouTube, are you sure he hasn’t been shown some of them?

I agree. I watched a couple of YT video this afternoon to get both sides of a historical incident. I am now far better informed on the matter than I was earlier. Not all YT videos are rubbish and drivel. As the OP hasn't explained what the videos her son has seen are, we cannot really judge the merit of her argument.

Auroraloves · 22/05/2026 20:14

WildMauveReader · 22/05/2026 20:10

But what is ASMR?

Edited

Autonomous sensory meridian response

basically those videos with sounds in like squishing crinkly material, it’s supposed to be relaxing

Auroraloves · 22/05/2026 20:11

There are a lot of educational videos on YouTube, are you sure he hasn’t been shown some of them?

WildMauveReader · 22/05/2026 20:10

SlB09 · 22/05/2026 20:09

I should add, it was a treat today (the ASMR video) but YT has been mentioned at various points through the terms so it's not just a treat thing.

But what is ASMR?

GrillaMilla · 22/05/2026 20:10

No child needs to watch mindless drivel on YouTube, especially at school.
I really despair.

SlB09 · 22/05/2026 20:09

I should add, it was a treat today (the ASMR video) but YT has been mentioned at various points through the terms so it's not just a treat thing.

OP posts:
WildMauveReader · 22/05/2026 20:08

It is the last day before half term break around here and the OP did say it was a 'treat' . In my day we just got to play Hangman on the last day of term. Are these videos really any more or less of a time filler than that was?

Ineedanewsofa · 22/05/2026 20:06

Nope, wouldn’t be at all happy with that! Youtube absolutely has it’s uses (I have learned many a thing from a YT tutorial) but I’d be really cross about school showing those stupid videos where people squash plasticine etc

Sirzy · 22/05/2026 20:06

It may be a YouTube video that is linked to what they are learning.

It may be 5 minutes of downtime with something fun, or a 10 minutes at a wet play.

They will also be selected because they are safe.

WildMauveReader · 22/05/2026 20:03

What does 'asmr' stand for?